Malabar Express
 |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Express |
| Locale | Kerala & Karnataka |
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railways |
| Route | |
| Termini | Mangalore Central (MAQ) Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) |
| Stops | 52 |
| Distance travelled | 634 km (394 mi) |
| Average journey time | 14 hours 50 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 16629 / 16630 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | AC 3 tier, AC 2 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
| Catering facilities | On-board Catering E-Catering |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | ICF Coaches |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 41 km/h (25 mph) average including halts |
The 16629 / 16630 Malabar Express is a express train service in India, named after the Malabar coast, the south-western coastal region of India from Mangalore Central to Thiruvananthapuram Central. As the name suggests, it connects the two ends of the Malabar region (the Southern and the Northern). The train has one of the longest running time between Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram Central. It Shares its Rake with 16603/04 Maveli Express, 12601/02 Mangalore Central-Chennai Central Superfast Mail and 22637/38 West Coast Super Fast Express.Malabar Express is one of the most popular trains in Kerala.
History
The train initially ran between Madras and Mangalore. During that time the name of the train was Madras - Mangalore Malabar Express. In 1963 the train route was extended to Cochin Harbour Terminus and later this was again extended to Thiruvananthapuram Central.[citation needed]
Traction
As the route is fully electrified. It is hauls by a Royapuram based WAP 7 locomotive on its entire journey.
Service
This train runs between Mangalore Central and Thiruvananthapuram Central. The train no. 16629 starts from Trivandrum at 19:00 hours and reaches Mangalore at 10:10 hours the next day. In the return direction, train no. 16630 leaves Mangalore at 18:15 hours and reaches Trivandrum at 09:10 hours the next day. It runs via Trunk route Kottayam
Coach composition
It has 23 coaches (13 sleeper class, 4 3-tier AC (after the addition of BE1), 1 2-tier AC, 4 second class, and 1 brake van-cum-second sitter).
Route & Halts
- Manglore Central
- Ullal
- Manjeshwar
- Kasaragod
- Kotikulam
- Pallikere
- Kanhangad
- Nileshwar
- Trikaripur
- Payyanur
- Ezhimala
- Payangadi
- Kannapuram
- Valapattanam
- Kannur
- Thalassery
- Vatakara
- Koyilandy
- Kozhikkode
- Ferok
- Tanur
- Tirur
- Shoranur Junction
- Thrissur Railway Station
- Irinjalakuda
- Chalakudy
- Angamali
- Aluva
- Ernakulam Town
- Piravom Road
- Kottayam
- Tiruvalla
- Chengannur
- Mavelikara
- Kayankulam Junction
- Karunagappally
- Sasthamkotta
- Munroturuttu
- Kollam Junction
- Paravur
- Varkala
- Kadakavur
- Chirayinkeezhu
- Kazhakuttam
- Trivandrum Petta
- Trivandrum Central