Archana Express

The 12355 / 12356 Archana Express is a Superfast Express train belonging to Indian Railways – East Central Railway zone that runs between Patna Junction and Jammu Tawi in India.^[1]

Archana Express

Overview
Service type	Superfast Express
First service	1 January 2003; 22 years ago (2003-01-01)
Current operator(s)	East Central Railway
Route
Termini	Patna Junction (PNBE) Jammu Tawi (JAT)
Stops	18
Distance travelled	1,515 km (941 mi)
Average journey time	26 hrs 50 mins
Service frequency	Bi-weekly.
Train number(s)	12355 / 12356
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	No
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph) maximum, 56 km/h (35 mph) average including halts.
Route map

It operates as train number 12355 from Patna Junction to Jammu Tawi and as train number 12356 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Coaches

The 12355 / 56 Patna Junction–Jammu Tawi Archana Express has 1Ac 2 AC 2 tier,1 AC 3 Tier Economy, 5 AC 3 tier, 6 Sleeper class, 4 General Unreserved and 1 Generator cum Luggage Rack Coaches, 1 SLR Coch. In addition, it carries a pantry car . Train uses LHB coach. As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Coach positioning

Caoch positioning for 12355 is LOCO-SLR-GS-GS-GS-GS-S1-S2-S3-S4-S5-S6-PC-B1-B2-B3-B4-B5-M1-A1-A2-H1-EOG

Coach positioning for 12356 is LOCO-EOG-H1-A2-A1-M1-B5-B4-B3-B2-B1-PC-S6-S5-S4-S3-S2-S1-GS-GS-GS-GS-SLR

Service

When introduced into service in the 1990s, Archana Express was numbered 3289/3290 and had a moderate time table. 13289 departing Patna at 07.30 am, Mughalsarai at 11.15 am, Varanasi at 12.06 pm, Lucknow at 17.45 pm, Bareilly at 21.50 pm, Moradabad at 23.30 pm, Laksar at 01.54 am, Saharanpur at 03.00 am; Ambala Cantt at 04.40 am, Ludhiana at 07.00 am, Pathankot Junction at 10.05 am with reversal & Jammu Tawi arrival at 12.00 pm the next day. Later it used was made to run via Pathankot Cantt. In return 13290 Jammu Tawi departure was 23.45 pm, Ludhiana at 04.50 am; Ambala Cantt at 07.01 am; Saharanpur at 08.35 am; Laksar at 09.31 am; Moradabad at 12.05 pm; Bareilly at 13.45 pm, Lucknow at 18.15 pm, Varanasi at 23.45 pm, Mughalsarai at 00.35 am, arriving Patna at 04.15 am. It used to cover 1,509 km (938 mi) in 28 hrs 30 mins (52.95 km/h).

Since 2005, The 12355 Patna Junction–Jammu Tawi Archana Express covers the distance of 1,509 km (938 mi) in 27 hours 00 mins (55.89 km/h) and in 27 hours 00 mins as 12356 Jammu Tawi–Patna Junction Archana Express (55.89 km/h).

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

Routeing

The 12355 / 56 Patna Junction–Jammu Tawi Archana Express runs from Patna Junction, Danapur, Ara Junction, Buxar, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Varanasi Junction, Bhadohi, Pratapgarh Junction, Amethi, GGD jais, Varanasi Junction, Lucknow NR, Bareilly, Moradabad Junction, Saharanpur, Ambala Cantt Junction, Ludhiana Junction, Jalandhar cantt Junction, Pathankot Cantonment to Jammu Tawi .^[1]

Traction

As route is now fully electrified, it is hauled by a Samastipur Loco Shed / Gomoh Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.

Operation

12355 Patna Junction–Jammu Tawi Archana Express runs from Patna Junction every Tuesday and Saturday, reaching Jammu Tawi the next day.

12356 Jammu Tawi–Patna Junction Archana Express runs from Jammu Tawi every Wednesday and Sunday, reaching Patna Junction the next day.