Pratap Express

The 12495 / 12496 Pratap Superfast Express is a Express train belonging to Indian Railways – North Western Railway zone that runs between Bikaner Junction and Kolkata Chitpur in India. It often is delayed nearly by four hours late. The train received its LHB coach.

It operates as train number 12495 from Bikaner Junction to Kolkata and as train number 12496 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Coaches
The 12495/12496 Pratap Express has one AC 2 tier, five AC 3 tier, eight Sleeper class, six Unreserved/General and two EOG coaches. It does not carry a pantry car.

Service
The 12495 Pratap Express covers the distance of 1885 km in 31 hours 55 mins (59.06 km/h) and in 31 hours 05 mins as 12496 Pratap Express (60.64 km/h).

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

Operation

 * 12495 Pratap Express runs from Bikaner Junction every Thursday reaching Kolkata on Friday.
 * 12496 Pratap Express runs from Kolkata every Friday reaching Bikaner Junction on Sunday.

Traction
Since the entire route is yet to be full electrified, a Bhagat Ki Kothi Loco Shed based WDP-4B/4D diesel locomotive hauls the train from Bikaner Junction till Agra Fort handing over to Howrah Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive for the remaining part of the journey till Kolkata.

Rake sharing
The train shares its rake with 22473/22474 Bandra Terminus–Bikaner Superfast Express.