Pallavan Superfast Express

Pallavan Superfast Express[lower-alpha 1] is a superfast service operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. This service connects the cities of Chennai to Karaikudi via Tiruchirappalli in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This train having the more popularity among the passengers even after introducing new trains like Tejas Express in that route. The train was upgraded to brand new modern LHB rakes from 30 June 2019.

Pallavan Superfast Express
Pallavan Superfast Express rushing past Mambalam
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
StatusOperating
First service15 August 1984 (1984-08-15)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway zone
Route
StartKaraikkudi Junction
Stops13
EndChennai Egmore
Distance travelled426 km (265 mi)
Average journey time7 hours, 15 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12605/12606
Line(s) usedChord line
On-board services
Class(es)CC, 2S, SLR, SLRD and UR/GS
Disabled access
Seating arrangementsOpen coach
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Auto-rack arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesYes
Observation facilitiesYes
Entertainment facilitiesNo
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stockWDP4B(GOC)
WAP7 (RPM)
Three AC Chair car
Thirteen Non-AC 2S
Five UR/GS
Two SLR
One SLRD
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification25 kV AC 50 Hz
Operating speed60.8 km/h (37.8 mph)
Track owner(s)Southern Railway zone
Timetable number(s)21/21A[1]
Route map

General information

The Pallavan Superfast Express was introduced to run parallel to the Vaigai Superfast Express, which could not complete the round trip between Madurai and Chennai. The express was initially introduced between Chennai and Tiruchirappalli on 15 August 1984. Later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. The express along with Vaigai express serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Trichy apart from air. The Express makes the 426 kilometres (265 mi) run in 7.15 hours with only 13 stops. It is the most popular day train for travel between Karaikudi and Chennai Egmore via Trichy, making the one-way trip in just over 7 hours as compared to the 9–10 hours by road.


Pallavan Superfast Express and its another pair Vaigai Superfast Express are the punctual kings of that route

Schedule

As per latest schedule 12606 Pallavan Express departs Karaikudi Junction at 05:05 then reaches Tiruchchirappalli Junction at 06:30 then reaches Villupuram Junction at 09:25 and will reach its final destination Chennai Egmore at 12:10 pm

And 12605 Pallavan Express departs Chennai Egmore at 03.45PM then reaches Villupuram Junction at 06.05PM and arrives Tiruchchirappalli Junction around 08.45PM and reaches Karaikkudi Junction at 11:00 pm.

In both directions Pallavan Express changes its loco from Diesel to Elecrric (12606) and Electric to Diesel (12605) at Tiruchchirappalli Junction.

SWAPING AS VAIGAI EXPRESS

The train which departs Karaikudi at early morning changes locomotive at Trichy and reaches Chennai Egmore at around noon.[2] Then it swaps as Vaigai Express departing for Madurai. As the other pair of Vaigai Express arrives Chennai Egmore, the train is swapped as Pallavan Express, departing early evening and changes locomotive Trichy and reaches Karaikudi late night.[3][lower-alpha 2]

The train has one pantry car for providing continuous refreshment/food supply to passengers. Food fares are applicable and will be in good quality.

Rakes

The train is being hauled by an electric locomotive ED/RPM WAP 7 between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchirappalli Junction. And between Tiruchirappalli Junction and Karaikudi, it is hauled by diesel locomotive,GOC based WDP4B, since the line is not electrified and vice versa. The PS1 coach in this train is a Pantry-cum-Coach car, where half of the coach is used as a kitchen and the other half is used as a normal passenger coach. But after upgraded to LHB Coches PS-1 coach is replaced with AC Hot Buffet Car. [lower-alpha 3] This train shares its rakes with Vaigai Express.

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
EOGURC1C2C3D1D2D3D4D5D6D7PCD8D9D10D11D12D13URUREOG

See also

Notes
  1. The Train was named as to commemorate the Pallavas Kingdom, who ruled over the parts that is the present Chennai and its surroundings.
  2. The timings are in Indian Standard Time.
  3. The coach composition is subject to change.

References
  1. "Trains at a Glance July 2013 – June 2014". Indian Railways. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  2. "Train Time Table for CAPE-MS (Via. Chord Line)" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. "Train Time Table for MS-CAPE (Via. Chord Line)" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
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