Pandian Express

The Pandian Express is a Superfast overnight express train of the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways which runs daily between Madurai Junction and Chennai Egmore[2] via Villupuram, Vridhachalam and Tiruchirappalli. The inaugural run of this express train is during Oct 01, 1969 on Wednesday.

Pandian Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
StatusActive
LocaleTamil Nadu
First service1 October 1969 (1969-10-01)[1]
Current operator(s)Southern Railway zone
RidershipSuperfast Express
Route
TerminiChennai Egmore (MS)
Madurai Junction (MDU)
Stops08
Distance travelled493 km (306 mi)
Average journey time07hrs 45min
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12637 / 12638
On-board services
Class(es)1A , 2A , 3A , SL , II & EOG
Disabled accessDisabled access
Seating arrangementsYes (Un-Reserved Compartments)
Sleeping arrangementsYes (Berth)
Catering facilitiesNo
Observation facilitiesWindows in all carriages
Other facilitiesCCTV Camera in all coaches
Technical
Rolling stockWAP-7 locomotive from Electric Loco Shed, Royapuram
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification25 kV AC 50 Hz
Operating speed71 km/h (44 mph) (Maximum Permissible Speed 130 km/h)
Rake maintenanceMadurai
Rake sharing

Introduction
The banner put up by Rail Fans in 2019, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee (completion of 50 Years) of Pandiyan Express

The name of the train commemorates the 6th century BC to 17th century AD Pandyan Dynasty or Pandian Kingdom of Tamil Nadu. It is a standard train consisting of 23 coaches. The main stops on the way are Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Tiruchirappalli and Dindigul. The train operates daily and covers a distance of 493 km (306 mi). The train runs at a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). It is a Prestigious train with Southern Railway Zone. It is now running with LHB rakes (Linke Hoffman Busch) from 15 August 2016 and is maintained at Madurai.

50th Anniversary of Pandian Express was celebrated by Railfans and Rail users on 1/10/2019 at Madurai Junction with a cake cut.[3]

This train had the livery changed twice - first it had the "Olive-Green livery", separated by 2 yellow-lines between the upper & lower part of the windows & later on it was changed to "Maroon colour" on the MG.

This train was numbered as 6717/6718 when it was run on MG. It is now hauled by WAP-7 loco from Royapuram Loco Shed from Madurai to Chennai Egmore and via the same route.

Locomotive

This train was numbered as 6717/6718 when it was run on MG. It is now hauled by 6350HP Fitted WAP-7 loco from Royapuram Loco Shed from Madurai to Chennai Egmore and via the same route.

Rake

Pandian Superfast Express running Brand New LHB Coaches. CCTV Cameras are fitted all Compartments

Coach composition

In total 22 coaches are there. It includes One AC First Class (1A), AC 2 Tier (2A), AC 3 Tier (3A), Sleeper Class (SL), Unreserved general sitting coach (UR) and End on Generators (EOG).[4] RSA with Rockfort Superfast Express/Cholan Express.

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
EOGGSGSGSS7S6S5S4S3S2S1B6B5B4B3B2B1A3A2A1H1EOG

See also

References
  1. "Railway Budget speech 1970-71" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 23 February 1970.
  2. "Mixed response to Pandian Express with brand new LHB rake". Times of India. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. "All aboard the Pandian". The Hindu. 4 October 2019. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  4. "Pandian Express to get spacious LHB coaches from Aug 15". Times of India. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
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