Pandian Superfast Express

Pandian Superfast Express
Overview
Service type	Super Fast
Locale	Tamil Nadu
First service	1 October 1969; 52 years ago
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway zone
Route
Start	Chennai Egmore
Stops	10
End	Madurai Junction
Distance travelled	497 km (309 mi)
Average journey time	08hrs 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	60 km/h (37 mph) 110kmph

The Pandian Superfast 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 . 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

Pandian Superfast Express Halted in Madurai Junction

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.