Ispat Express

The 12871/12872 & 22861/22862 Ispat Express is a Superfast day train of Indian Railways connecting Kolkata with Titlagarh & Kantabanji. It covers a distance of 741 kilometers at an average speed of 57 km/h (35 mph). It has Two Second Class Unreserved Seating Coaches, 3 AC 3 Tier Coaches, 2 AC Chair Car Coaches and 8 Second Sitting Chair Car Coaches. All of the classes require reservations, except for Second Class Unreserved Seating class, where Tatkal scheme is available. A pantry car is available in this train. Unlike many trains of Indian Railways, it has an advance reservation period of sixty (60) days.

Ispat Express

Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	West Bengal, Jharkhand & Odisha
First service	15 August 1976; 49 years ago (1976-08-15)
Current operator	South Eastern Railway
Route
Termini	Howrah (HWH) Titlagarh (TIG) & Kantabanji (KBJ)
Stops	22
Distance travelled	741 km (460 mi) as 12871/12872 777 km (483 mi) as 22861/22862
Average journey time	14 Hours
Train numbers	12871 / 12872 22861 / 22862
On-board services
Classes	AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Second Class Seating
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Auto-rack arrangements	Overhead racks
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph) maximum, 57 km/h (35 mph) average including halts.
Route map

Traction

It is hauled by WAP-7 locomotive from Santragachi electric loco shed on its entire journey.

When it was first opened, it ran from Howrah to Jamshedpur. Later, it was extended to Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and then to Titlagarh. After a fifth change, its destination station was changed from Titlagarh to Kantabanji.

Rake Composition

It is running with LHB coach. Advance Reservation Period is of 60 days.^[1] Coach composition (18 coaches) is as follows :-

• 1 Seating cum Luggage coach
• 1 Power Generator Car (EOG)
• 2 Unreserved accommodation
• 8 Second Sitting Coaches
• 2 AC Chair Car
• 3 AC Three Tier
• 1 Pantry Car

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
	SLRD	GEN	GEN	D1	D2	D3	D4	D5	D6	D7	D8	PC	C1	C2	B1	B2	B3	EOG

Route & halts

• Howrah
• Kharagpur Junction
• Tatanagar Junction
• Chakradharpur
• Rourkela Junction
• Jharsuguda Junction
• Sambalpur Junction
• Bargarh Road
• Balangir Junction
• Kantabanji
• Titlagarh Junction

Schedule

• Train runs daily for both the direction

Train number	Station code	Departure station	Departure time (IST)	Arrival station	Arrival time (IST)	Day
12871	HWH	Howrah	6:35 AM	Titlagarh Junction	7:35 PM	Day 1
12872	TIG	Titlagarh Junction	5:15 AM	Howrah	6:15 PM	Day 1