Kerala Express

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Kerala Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
First service1977; 44 years ago (1977) (split train as Kerala–Karnataka (KK) Express )[1]
1983; 38 years ago (1983) (as separate train, Kerala Express)[2]
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
StartNew Delhi (NDLS)
Stops41
EndThiruvananthapuram Central (TVC)
Distance travelled3,031 km (1,883 mi)
Average journey time50 hours 30 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12625 / 12626
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, Unreserved/General
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coaches
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) maximum,
61 km/h (38 mph) average including halts
Rake maintenanceKochuveli
Route map
Kerala Express and Swarnajayanthi Express (Trivandrum - New Delhi) Route map.jpg

The 12625 / 12626 Kerala Superfast Express is a daily superfast express train of the Indian Railways that runs between New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala state. It is currently the longest-running daily Superfast train of Indian Railways (3027 km) and second-longest daily train in country after Avadh Assam Express (3115 km).[3] It is the second direct train to Kerala (1977) from the national capital Delhi after Jayanti Janata Express (1973) and first direct train connecting the state capital and Southern Kerala with New Delhi.

History[]

The Kerala Express was introduced in 1977 as a split train named Kerala–Karnataka (KK) Express.[4] The composition of Karnataka–Kerala Express has been increased from 14 coaches to 21 coaches with effect from 29 January 1981.[5]

Kerala Express since running independently, briefly had a slip service to Mangalore (1988 till 1993) where a portion of the train used to amalgamate/bifurcate at Palakkad Junction to run as 2625A/2626A Link Mangala Exp. This continued until Mangala Exp was made an independent train in 1993 numbered 2617/18.

The train is running with LHB rakes with effect from 4 November 2018.[6]

On 10 June 2019, during the 2019 Indian heat wave, four pilgrims from Tamil Nadu died due to heat exposure in the Kerala Express as it traveled south through the Bundelkhand, before the train arrived at Jhansi Junction.[7][8]

Kerala Express – LHB coaches – End on Generator coach
Kerala Express – LHB coach – AC 2 tier
Kerala Express – LHB coach – AC 3 tier
Kerala Express – LHB coach – Sleeper class

Route & Halts[]

Traction[]

It is hauled by a Royapuram / Erode based WAP 7 locomotive from end to end.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Railway Budget speech 1977-78 (interim)" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Ministry of Railways. 28 March 1977.
  2. ^ "Railway Budget speech 1983-84" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Ministry of Railways. 24 March 1983.
  3. ^ Longest trains, List of (2013). "Statistical Summary Indian Railways" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in/.
  4. ^ Interim, Railway Budget (28 March 1977). "Interim Railway Budget Madhu Dandavate" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in.
  5. ^ "Railway Budget speech 1981-82" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Ministry of Railways. 19 February 1981.
  6. ^ "Kerala misses out on promised trains, backup coaches as authorities turn a blind eye". OnManorama. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Four pilgrims from Tamil Nadu die in train near Jhansi". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 11 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 June 2019.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ Jun 12, Agencies / Updated; 2019; Ist, 06:00. "Heatwave claims 4 on Kerala Express". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 28 April 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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