12341/12342 Agnibina Express is one of the best train to travel between Howrah and Asansol. Though people call it as Agnibina, but people travelling in and out from Durgapur, Panagarh and Mankar still call it as Bidhan Express. First thing first, one of the best train. Super cleaned and well maintained. Courteous staff as well. During my journey on 11th June on 12341 in C2 from Howrah to Panagarh. The TTE started checking the ticket by greeting everyone with a Good Evening and smile. Let aside the coaches, even the washrooms were clean and well maintained. There was no nuisance from the UR passengers near the toilets, which by the way I have observed in Coalified and Black Diamond Express.
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From Howrah, it is designated to depart from Platform No 12 only. It leaves just behind the Coalfied Express, which departs Howrah at 1720. Once it leaves, the rake enters the platform. For people travelling without prior reservation can also go for UR ticket and can easily get seats in the General Compartments without any hustle or anything. Since this is the last daily passenger train to Durgapur/Asansol and others, so the crowd is not that much as one will get if one is travelling in UR coaches of Coalfield. Another thing which I have observed is AC Chair Car gets filled up quickly as compared to Non AC Chair Car. Both the AC coaches runs jam packed from Howrah. However, the AC coaches remains slightly empty for the 12342. So if someone is unable to get ticket in AC Chair Car in 12342, they can directly approach TTE as well.
There are some unofficial things, which I have observed during my journey in this train and these are;
1. Some UR coaches are opened in certain stations only, such as Andal and Durgapur.
2. 12342 (ASN-HWH) is flocked by the daily passengers. So if you are travelling in it from any station and planning it in advance, better book ticket in Non AC Chair or AC Chair Car as per your convenience. UR runs jam packed during this trip and quite a time the daily passengers becomes much hostile if you ask for seat. I am saying this from my personal experience and that from of my friends and colleagues.
3. 12342 (ASN-HWH) will definitely give unscheduled stop at Liluha. Quite a number of passengers deboards at that station. Though it is not a schedule stop, but every time the train will stop there.
From Railfans Perspective: I will say best train to feel the 130 kmph agression of HWH WAP-7 of a non-Shatabdi Train. Specifically with 12341, the way it speeds up after passing Liluah, knocking upto 130 kmph till Dankuni and then again gearing upto it util Barrdhaman and then way forward is sheer beauty. Passing the stations such as Belur, Bally and others in the dark at sheer speed is absolute bliss. The same is for the 12342. The way the train knocks up with HWH P-7 showing its sheer aggression through the plains of Bengal, specifically between Asansol and Barrdhaman amid the morning sun is an absolute bliss to the eyes. The 130 kmph show is an absolute bliss to the eyes.
