Pushpak Express

The 12533 / 12534 Pushpak SF Express is a Daily Superfast Express category train belonging to Indian Railways that runs between Lucknow Junction in Uttar Pradesh and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Terminus, Mumbai in Maharashtra, India. It operates as train number 12533 from Lucknow Junction to Mumbai CSMT and as train number 12534 in the reverse direction. Pushpak SF Express is the fastest train between CSMT in Mumbai and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh covering distance of 1428 km in 22.5 hours.

It is named after the mythological flying chariot Pushpak which is mentioned as the chariot of Ravana.

Service

The 12533/12534 Pushpak Express covers the distance of 1426 kilometres in 25 hours 15 mins as 12533 Pushpak Express and maintains an average speed of 56 km/h and 1428 km in 22 hours 45 mins as 12534 Pushpak Express with an average speed of 63 km/h.

As the average speed of the train is more than 55 km/h, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

Locomotive

Prior to June 2014, it was hauled by three locomotives during its journey. A WDM-3A locomotive from either Lucknow or Jhansi shed hauled the train from Lucknow Junction to Jhansi Junction after which a Bhusawal-based WAP-4 hauled the train until Igatpuri following which a WCAM-3 powered the train for the remainder of the journey until Mumbai CSMT.

With progressive electrification of the Lucknow–Jhansi sector, Bhusawal-based WAP-4 began hauling the train until from Lucknow Junction to Igatpuri, following which a WCAM-3 took over for the remainder of the journey until Mumbai CSMT.

With Central Railway completing the changeover of 1500 V DC traction to 25 kV AC traction on 6 June 2015, the train was to be hauled by WAP-4 but from 2016, this train is now end to end hauled by an Ajni-based WAP-7 locomotive.

Coaches

As with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand. From 30 October 2021 the train has been upgraded to a new LHB coach.