Pallavan Express
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".
![](../I/Pallavan_SuperFast_Express_Large_Name_Board.jpg.webp)
Pallavan Superfast Express | |
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![]() 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) |
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Line(s) used | Chord line |
On-board services | |
Class(es) |
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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 |
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 | ||||
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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]
See also
- Cholan Superfast Express
- Vaigai Superfast Express
- Rockfort Superfast Express
- Mysore-Mayiladuthurai Express
- Pearl City (Muthunagar) Superfast Express
- Kanniyakumari Superfast Express
- Tambaram–Nagercoil Antyodaya Express
- Chendur Superfast Express
- Tea Garden Express
- Pandian Superfast Express
- Ananthapuri Express
- Uzhavan Express
- Boat Mail Express
- Sethu Superfast Express
- Nilgiri Express
- Cheran Superfast Express
- Silambu Express
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.