It operates as train number 12151 from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Shalimar and as train number 12152 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand & West Bengal.
Coaches
The 12151 / 12152 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Howrah Samarsata Express presently has 1 AC 1st Class, 2 AC 2 tier, 5 AC 3 tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 3 Second Class seating & 2 SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake) coaches. In addition, it carries a pantry car.
As with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
Service
The 12151 / 12152 Samarsata Express covers the distance of 2081 kilometres in 35 hours 50 mins as 12151 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Howrah Samarsata Express (58.07 km/h) and 2091 kilometres in 34 hrs 15 mins as 12152 Howrah–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Samarsata Express (61.05 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.
With Central Railway progressively moving towards a complete changeover from DC to AC traction, it has recently started being hauled end to end by a Santragachi-based WAP-4 / WAP-7 locomotive.
Timings
12151 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Shalimar Samarsata Express leaves Lokmanya Tilak Terminus every Wednesday & Thursday at 20:35 hrs IST and reaches Shalimar at 06:55 hrs IST on the 3rd day.
12152 Shalimar–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Samarsata Express leaves Shalimar every Friday & Saturday at 19:45 hrs IST and reaches Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 05:30 hrs IST on the 3rd day.