Chennai Central–Madurai AC Superfast Express

The Chennai Central–Madurai Junction Central SF Express is a Superfast express train connecting Chennai and Madurai which lies in Southern Railway zone of Tamil Nadu State in India. This train is now proposed to be extended upto Bodinayakanur via Teni since the gauge conversion of this route was completed. This was the first train operated by Southern Railways with newly manufactured AC Three Tier Economy Coach. This train will be operated from weekly to tri-weekly with effect from 10 June 2020 from Chennai and 11 June 2020 from Madurai. There is no changes in timings. It will depart from Chennai on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Earlier it used to run as a fully air conditioned express, but after August 2021, 4 Sleeper Class coaches were attached. Initially it ran only one day a week from Chennai Central - Madurai by sharing its rakes with Chennai Central - Madurai AC Duronto Express. After June 2020, Duronto Express was fully cancelled and it was made into run on the days which Duranto ran. Also additional stoppages were given at Katpadi, Karur, and Dindigul. In return it will leave from Madurai on every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. It was the first train to carry AC Three Tier Economy Coach in Southern Railway, though some trains carrying 3 Tier Economy Coach passes through Southern Railway Zone, they aren't belonged to Southern railway. From 25th February 2021, it will run with 1 more additional coach, i.e., AC Three Tier Economy.[1]

Chennai Central–Madurai Junction
Central Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
First service3 November 2017
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
TerminiChennai Central
Madurai Junction
Stops4
Distance travelled556 km (345 mi)
Average journey time9 Hours
Service frequencyWeekly (tri-weekly from 10 June)
Train number(s)20601 / 20602
On-board services
Class(es)AC First Class, AC Two Tier, AC Three Tier, AC Three Tier Economy, Sleeper Class.
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesNo pantry car attached
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed140 km/h (87 mph) maximum,
62 km/h (39 mph), including halts

Overview

This train was inaugurated on 3 November 2017, as weekly frequency train service. It was Flagged off by Piyush Goyal (Minister of Railways) and Edappadi K. Palaniswami (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), For making less time and comfortable journey for Chennai and Madurai Commuters.[2]

Coach Composition

Till June 2020, 20601/02 MAS - MDU - MAS AC Express had following Coach Position when it ran with ICF Coaches,

  • 1 AC First Class
  • 2 AC Two Tier
  • 9 AC Three Tier
  • 2 Power Cum Generator Cars


After receiving LHB rakes it had revised composition,

  • 1 AC First Cum AC Two Tier
  • 2 AC Two Tier
  • 9 AC Three Tier
  • 2 End On Generator Cars.

From September 2021 it had been attached with 4 Sleeper Classes and the name AC Express had been withdrawn, and was called as Central Express. Till 24rth February 2022, it had following Coach composition,


20601/20602 Chennai Central - Madurai Junction
Central SF Express has,

  • 1 AC First Cum AC Two Tier
  • 2 AC Two Tier
  • 9 AC Three Tier
  • 4 Sleeper Class
  • 2 End On Generator Cars


At Present it runs with following Coach composition,

  • 1 AC First Cum AC Two Tier
  • 2 AC Two Tier
  • 7 AC Three Tier
  • 2 AC Three Tier Economy
  • 1 Luggage Cum Disabled Coach
  • 1 End on Generator Car

Routes

This train with the number of 20601/20602 passes through Katpadi Junction, Salem Junction, Karur Junction and Dindigul Junction, with the length of 556 km with an average speed of 62 km/hr.[3]

Halts

When it ran as 12277/78 Chennai Central - Madurai Duronto AC SF Express it has its stoppage only at,

  • Salem Junction


Now 20601/02 Central SF Express has stoppages at,

  • Katpadi
  • Salem
  • Karur
  • Dindigul


20602 Has additional stoppage at Perambur, to avoid rushing in Central.

Traction

WAP-4 & WAP-7 of Arakkonam, Royapuram & Erode loco shed pulls this train at both directions.[4]

Demands

There are also demands to stop this train at Namakkal, Jolarpettai, Arakkonam, Thiruvallur and Perambur Railway stations.[5]

References
  1. Prabhakar, Siddharth (31 October 2017). "Southern Railway to run weekly express train between Chennai Central and Madurai". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  2. newindianexpress.com, Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. Southern railways, Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  4. Southern Railways, Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  5. "நாமக்கல்-ராசிபுரம் ரயில் நிலையங்களில் விரைவு ரயில்கள் நின்று செல்ல மத்திய அமைச்சரிடம் எம்.பி. மனு". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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