Pallavan Express

Pallavan Superfast Express
	Chennai Egmore - Karaikudi Pallavan Superfast Express At Chennai Egmore.
Overview
Service type	Superfast
First service	15 August 1984; 40 years ago
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway
Route
Termini	Karaikkudi (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)	12605 / 12606
Line(s) used	Chord line
On-board services
Class(es)	3 A/C Chair Car; 13 Non A/C Chair Car; 3 General Unreserved; 2 EoG; 1 Pantry (A/C Hot Buffet);
Disabled access
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	No
Auto-rack arrangements	Overhead racks
Catering facilities	Available
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	69 km/h (43 mph) average including halts.
Rake maintenance	Madurai depot
Rake sharing	12635/12636 Vaigai Superfast Express
Route map
Route map

The 12605 / 12606 Pallavan Superfast Express^[a] 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.

History

The Pallavan Express was introduced to run along with the Vaigai Express, where both provided high speed connectivity from Chennai to Madurai being prestigious trains of Metre Gauge era. The express was initially introduced on 15 August 1984 between Chennai and Madurai as a daily day express service with remaining rakes of Vaigai Superfast Express.^[1]

Both Pallavan and Vaigai Express were the fastest and iconic trains on Chennai - Tiruchchirappalli Metre Gauge route ^[2] where they took approximately 5 hours 40 minutes to cover 330 km where other trains took approx 7–8 hours. It gets full priority enroute where it doesn't stops for any crossings.

Vaigai and Pallavan are the only MG trains on the SR to be fitted with specially enhanced buffers and certified to run at 110 km/h.

For the first time on the MG, the ICF manufactured two 40-seat AC chair car coaches exclusively for the Vaigai and Pallavan express and used in those trains.

Pallavan Express ran as a clone train to Vaigai Express. From 1984 to 1986 115 DOWN Pallavan departed Madras Egmore at 05:35 and reached Madurai Junction around 14:30 again 116 UP Pallavan departed from Madurai at 15:00 and reached Madras Egmore at 22:30. By that time it had only 4 stops Villupuram Junction, Vridhachalam Junction, Tiruchchirappalli Junction and Dindigul Junction.

Then from 1986, Pallavan SuperFast Express was made to run till Tiruchchirappalli Junction where it faced a slot change. It departed Tiruchchirappalli Junction around 6:15 and reached Madras Egmore at 11:30 and departed Madras Egmore at 15:30 and reached Tiruchchirappalli Junction at 20:45. It had 3 stops, Villupuram Junction, Vridhachalam Junction and Srirangam.

Later, in 1998 this train got converted to Broad Gauge and stops were increased due to demand. Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur, Ariyalur, Lalgudi stops were added in year 2000–2006.

And its rakes are shared with Vaigai Super Fast Express at Chennai Egmore remains same since 1986. Both Vaigai and Pallavan were the only SuperFast trains in Chennai - Tiruchchirappalli - Madurai section till 2000.

27 years later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. This express runs along with Vaigai Superfast serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli/Karaikkudi apart from air.

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 .^[3]

The train has one pantry car for providing continuous refreshment/food supply to passengers. Food fares are applicable and will be in good quality.

Rakes

Coach Position of 12606 KKDI MS PALLAVAN SUPERFAST

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.

Chord line was electrified and from 2012, this train used AJJ/ED WAP4.

Currently it is regularly hauled by RPM or ED WAP7

The rakes are maintained at Madurai.

Developments

Strong demands arising to operate this train from Tiruchchirappalli Junction like earlier days as this train has high patronage in Tiruchchirappalli suburbs.

There are also demands to extend this train from Karaikudi Junction to Manamadurai Junction which is further 62 km away from Karaikudi junction along with a stoppages at Devakottai Road, Kallal and Sivaganga.^[4]

Incidents

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.^[5]

Notes

^ The train was named 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.
^ "Historical Timetable Archive | IRFCA.org". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
^ "12605/Pallavan SuperFast Express - Chennai Egmore to Karaikkudi SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry".
^ "Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains". The Hindu. 26 June 2019. 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

[1] The train was named 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] "Historical Timetable Archive | IRFCA.org". www.irfca.org. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

[4] "12605/Pallavan SuperFast Express - Chennai Egmore to Karaikkudi SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry".

[5] "Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains". The Hindu. 26 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 December 2022.

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

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