The 12853 / 12854 Amarkantak Express is a daily Superfast Express train which runs between the Bhopal Junction railway station in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh and Durg, a city in Chhattisgarh state in central India. This train replaced the 8225/8226 Bhopal–Bilaspur Mahanadi Express along with the 8291/8292 Bhopal–Raipur Express and the 1235/1236 Bhopal–Jabalpur Express.

Amarkantak Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
LocaleChhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh
Current operator(s)South East Central Railways
Route
TerminiDurg (DURG)
Bhopal (BPL)
Stops29
Distance travelled893 km (555 mi)
Average journey time16 hours 10 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12853 / 12854
On-board services
Class(es)First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coaches
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) maximum,
56 km/h (35 mph) average with halts
Route map

The name of the train comes from the name of the city Amarkantak, which is a pilgrim town in the Anuppur District from the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada River, which is the largest river in Central India originates near the city.

Arrival and departure information

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Train no. 12854 departs from Bhopal Junction daily at 4.00 pm, reaching Durg the next day at 08.05 am. Train no. 12853 departs daily from Durg at 6.25 pm reaching Bhopal Junction the next day at 10:30 am. This train takes in all 27 halts before reaching its destination[1]

Route and halts

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The important stations along the train route are:

Coach composition

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The train normally consists of 22 LHB coaches:

  • 1 AC 1 cum II Tier (HA1)
  • 2 AC II Tier (A1 A2)
  • 7 AC III Tier (B1-B7)
  • 1 AC III Tier economy (M1)
  • 6 Sleeper coach (S1-S6)
  • 3 General coach
  • 1 EOG/Power Car
  • 1 Seating cum luggage rake/SLR

As is customary with Indian Railways, coaches are added/removed as per the demand.

Average speed and frequency

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This is a daily train service in each direction. The trains operate at an average speed of 54 km/hour.

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The trains are hauled by the following locomotives;

Direction reversal

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The train reverses its direction twice at;

Other trains from Bhopal to Bilaspur

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References

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  1. ^ "Amarkantak Express/12853 Live Train Running Status".