Lucknow–New Delhi AC Superfast Express

Lucknow–New Delhi AC Superfast Express numbered 12429/30 is an ISO certified premier daily overnight service of AC Superfast Express type running between Lucknow Charbagh and New Delhi operated by Northern Railway zone. It is usually hauled by a Ghaziabad based Indian locomotive class WAP-7 locomotive, with occasional runs by WDP-4D twin locos of Tughlakabad or Alambagh shed, WAP5 Ghaziabad Shed, WAP4 Ghaziabad Shed and WAP1 Lucknow Shed.

Owing to its suitable time and punctuality, it is considered more popular than Lucknow Mail as it runs on the same route as Lucknow Mail but takes 53 minutes less to complete the journey.

Overview
This is a fully air conditioned Superfast train which connects the Indian capital, New Delhi to the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. It has been introduced in lieu of two trains (Lucknow–New Delhi AC Duronto Express & Lucknow–New Delhi AC Express) that have previously served Lucknow Charbagh & New Delhi from 15 June 2014. The train is the first train of Northern Railway zone after the New Delhi Lucknow Jn. Swarn Shatabdi Express to be operated on German Technology LHB coach from 12 April 2016.

As a result of addition of LHB Coaches, Lucknow–New Delhi AC Express (12429/12430) can now accommodate 960 passengers instead of 824. The number of seats in AC-2 coaches has been increased from 44 to 52, while in AC-3 coaches it has been raised from 64 to 72. The new coaches, based on a German technology LHB coach, are made of stainless steel which do not turn turtle during accidents. The light-weight coaches also improves the train's speed. Bigger windows, lamps at all seats and sound insulation are the other features. Waste from toilets would get discharged only when the train would be in motion.

Starting from 2021, AC 3 Tier Economy coaches were also added to the train composition to accommodate even more passengers. The train now has coaches from AC Sleeper I Tier, AC Sleeper II Tier, AC Sleeper III Tier and AC Sleeper III Tier Economy.

Journey
The down train (#12430) departs New Delhi at 23:25 usually from Platform 10 and reaches Lucknow Charbagh at 07:25 the following morning. The up train (#12429) departs Lucknow Charbagh at 23:30 usually from Platform 1 and reaches New Delhi at 07:30 the following morning.

The timetable is as follows:

12429 Lucknow NR to New Delhi

12430 Lucknow NR to New Delhi

Rakes
Coach composition are as follows for 12429: And for 12430 it's the reverse.