Pandian Express
Overview | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Service type | Super Fast | ||||
Locale | Tamil Nadu | ||||
First service | 1 October 1969[1] | ||||
Current operator(s) | Southern Railway zone | ||||
Route | |||||
Termini | Chennai Egmore Madurai Junction | ||||
Stops | 10 | ||||
Distance travelled | 497 km (309 mi) | ||||
Average journey time | 09hrs 00min | ||||
Service frequency | Daily | ||||
Train number(s) | 12637/12638 | ||||
On-board services | |||||
Class(es) | 1A , 2A , 3A , SL , II , EOG | ||||
Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
Catering facilities | Yes | ||||
Observation facilities | Large windows | ||||
Technical | |||||
Rolling stock | WAP-4 (ED/AJJ), WAP-7 (RPM) | ||||
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
Electrification | 25 kV | ||||
Operating speed | 55 km/h (34 mph) 110kmph | ||||
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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 Tiruchirapalli.The inaugural run of this express train is during Oct 01, 1969 on Wednesday.
Introduction
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, Tiruchchirapalli and Dindigul. The train operates daily and covers a distance of 497 km (309 mi). The train runs at a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). It is a Prestigious train with Southern Railways 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8qEXoUTML0
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 1, WAP 4 loco from Arakkonam and WAP 7 loco from Royapuram Loco Shed from Madurai to Chennai Egmore and via the same route.
Stations for 12637 MS-MDU Pandian Express
Chennai Egmore (MS) Tambaram (TBM) Chengalpattu (CGL) Villupuram Junction (VM) Vridachalam Junction (VRI) Trichchirapalli (TPJ) Manaparai (MPA) Dindigul Junction (DG) Ambaturai (ABI) Kodaikanal Road (KQN) Madurai Junction (MDU)
Coach composition
In total 23 coaches are there. It includes One AC First Class (1A), Three AC 2 Tier (2A), Five AC 3 Tier (3A), Nine Sleeper Class (SL), Three Unreserved general sitting coach (UR) and Two End on Generators (EOG).[3] 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 | 23 |
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EOG | GEN | H1 | A1 | A2 | A3 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | S8 | S9 | GEN | GEN | EOG |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/PANDIAN_EXPRESS.jpg/220px-PANDIAN_EXPRESS.jpg)
Rakes
The Train has been provided with LHB coaches from 15 Aug 2016.[2]
See also
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ "Railway Budget speech 1970-71" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 23 February 1970.
- ^ a b "Mixed response to Pandian Express with brand new LHB rake". Times of India. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Pandian Express to get spacious LHB coaches from Aug 15". Times of India. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.