Pallavan Express

**Pallavan Superfast Express**
Pallavan Superfast Express
	Chennai Egmore - Karaikudi Pallavan Superfast Express At Chennai Egmore with 30421 RPM/WAP-7
Overview
Service type	Superfast
Status	Active
First service	15 August 1984
Current operator(s)	Indian Railways
Website	www.indianrailways.gov.in
Route
Termini	Karaikkudi Junction (KKDI); Chennai Egmore (MS)
Stops	11
Distance travelled	426 km (265 mi)
Average journey time	6 hours, 50 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	(Down) 12605; (Up) 12606;
Line(s) used	Chord line
On-board services
Class(es)	3 A/C Chair Car; 13 Non A/C Chair Car; 3 Unreserved; 2 EOG; 1 Pantry (A/C Hot Buffet);
Disabled access
Seating arrangements	Open coach
Sleeping arrangements	No
Auto-rack arrangements	No
Catering facilities	Yes (A/C Hot Buffet)
Entertainment facilities	No
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks
Other facilities	Yes
Technical
Rolling stock	WAP7 (RPM)
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	25 kV AC 50 Hz
Operating speed	69 km/h (43 mph)
Average length	22 Coaches
Track owner(s)	Southern Railway zone
Timetable number(s)	21/21A
Rake maintenance	Madurai depot
Rake sharing	Vaigai Superfast Express
Route map
Route map

Pallavan Superfast Express[lower-alpha 1] is an Intercity express typed 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. The rakes of this train was upgraded to brand new modern LHB rakes from 30 June 2019. Pallavan Superfast is fondly known as "PRINCE OF CHORD LINE" along with Vaigai Express known as "CHORD LINE BROTHERS".

History

The Pallavan Express was introduced to run parallel to the Vaigai Express, which could not complete the round trip between Madurai and Chennai. The express was initially introduced on 15 August 1977 between Chennai and Madurai as a daily day express service with remaining rakes of Vaigai Superfast Express in the name of Madurai Summer Special supplying rakes for Vaigai Express at Chennai Egmore.[1]

On 15 August 1984, this train was named as "Pallavan Superfast Express" and made to run between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchchirappalli Junction. And its rakes are shared with Vaigai Super Fast Express at Chennai Egmore remains same. 29 years later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. The express along with Vaigai Superfast Express serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Trichy apart from air. The Express makes the 426 km (265 mi) run in 6 hours 45 mins with only 12 stops.

It is the most popular day train for travel between Tiruchchirappalli Junction and Chennai Egmore. It maintains excellent speed in its whole way making the one-way trip in just over 5 hours as compared to the 7–9 hours by road. Pallavan Superfast is fondly called as "Prince of Chord line" and its Rake sharing partner Vaigai Superfast is known as "King of Chord line".

This train runs at its max permit speed 110 kmph between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchchirappalli.

Pictures

Decorated name board on 38th anniversary, 2022
Pallavan entering its one of the high patronage stop Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli
Pallavan Superfast name board
Pallavan Superfast curving after Nunghambakkam, Chennai
Pallavan Superfast exiting Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli
Pallavan Superfast curving into Villupuram Junction

Schedule

The Pallavan Express departs Karaikudi Junction at 05:35 AM then reaches Tiruchirappalli Junction at 06:50 AM, and will reach its final destination Chennai Egmore at 12:10 PM

And 12605 Pallavan Express departs Chennai Egmore at 03:45 PM then arrives Tiruchirappalli Junction around 08:40 PM and reaches Karaikkudi Junction at 10:35 PM .[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.

12605 - Chennai Egmore → Karaikkudi ~ Pallavan Superfast Express
Station/Junction Name	Station Code	Arrival	Departure	Day
Chennai Egmore	SOURCE	MS	15:45	1
Tambaram	TBM	16:13	16:15	1
Chengalpattu Junction	CGL	16:43	16:45	1
Melmaruvathur	MLMR	17:08	17:10	1
Villupuram Junction	VM	18:00	18:05	1
Vriddhachalam Junction	VRI	18:45	18:47	1
Ariyalur	ALU	19:21	19:22	1
Lalgudi	LLI	19:49	19:50	1
Srirangam	SRGM	20:06	20:08	1
Ponmalai	GOC	20:19	20:20	1
Tiruchchirappalli Junction	TPJ	20:40	20:45	1
Pudukottai	PDKT	21:43	21:45	2
Karaikkudi Junction	KKDI	22:35	DEST	1
12606 - Karaikkudi → Chennai Egmore ~ Pallavan Superfast Express
Karaikkudi Junction	KKDI	SOURCE	05:35	1
Pudukkottai	PDKT	05:58	06:00	1
Tiruchchirappalli Junction	TPJ	06:50	06:55	1
Srirangam	SRGM	07:15	07:17	1
Lalgudi	LLI	07:32	07:33	1
Ariyalur	ALU	08:05	08:06	1
Vriddhachalam Junction	VRI	08:38	08:40	1
Villupuram Junction	VM	09:28	09:30	1
Melmaruvathur	MLMR	10:18	10:20	1
Chengalpattu Junction	CGL	10:45	10:47	1
Tambaram	TBM	11:18	11:20	1
Mambalam	MBM	11:35	11:37	1
Chennai Egmore	MS	12:10	DEST	1

Locomotive

This train is being hauled by an electric locomotive WAP 7 from Electric Loco Shed, Royapuram between Chennai Egmore and Karaikudi Junction and vice versa.

Rakes

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
	EOG	UR	C1	C2	C3	D1	D2	D3	D4	D5	D6	D7	PC	D8	D9	D10	D11	D12	D13	UR	UR	SLR

Initially when introduced between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli in 1984 YDM4 was used to haul this train in MG.

Then from 1999 this train was converted to broad gauge and GOC WDM series green livery alco hauled this train.

Chord line was electrified and from 2012, this train used AJJ/ED WAP4 or RPM/ED WAP7 between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli.

After getting extended to Karaikkudi a GOC WDP4 series or GOC WDM series was usually made as onlink for this train between Tiruchchirappalli and Karaikkudi.

The rakes are maintained at Madurai.

Demands

There is a long pending demand by the kollywood flim industry people and BHEL employees of Thirumayam to stop this train at Chettinad Railway station.

There are also strong demands to extend this train from Karaikudi Junction to Manamadurai Junction which is further 62 kms away from Karaikudi junction along with a stoppages at Devakottai Road, Kallal and Sivaganga.[3]

Accident

On 25 April 2018, Front wheels of WDP4D numbered 40405 which hauled 12606 UP Karaikkudi - Chennai Pallavan Superfast Express derailed while entering Tiruchchirappalli Junction railway station at 6:27 am. It was reported due to rail fracture, no injures and casualties reported. Then train was moved further with the delay of three hours towards Chennai.[4]

Notes

The Train was named as to commemorate the Pallavas Kingdom, who ruled over the parts that is the present Chennai and its surroundings.

References

"Glorious days of Vaigai Express! - David Pravin - Trip Report | IRFCA.org". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
"12605/Pallavan SuperFast Express - Chennai Egmore to Karaikkudi SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry".
Correspondent, Special (26 June 2019). "Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
Rajaram, R. (25 April 2018). "Derailment of Pallavan Express at Tiruchi hits rail traffic". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 February 2023.

External links

Southern Railway

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[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] "Glorious days of Vaigai Express! - David Pravin - Trip Report | IRFCA.org". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[3] "12605/Pallavan SuperFast Express - Chennai Egmore to Karaikkudi SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry".

[4] Correspondent, Special (26 June 2019). "Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 December 2022.

[5] Rajaram, R. (25 April 2018). "Derailment of Pallavan Express at Tiruchi hits rail traffic". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 February 2023.