Pallavan Express

The Pallavan Express was introduced to run parallel to the Vaigai Express, which could not complete the round trip between Madurai and Chennai. The express was initially introduced on 15 August 1977 between Chennai and Madurai as a daily day express service with remaining rakes of Vaigai Superfast Express in the name of Madurai Summer Special supplying rakes for Vaigai Express at Chennai Egmore.[1]

On 15 August 1984, this train was named as "Pallavan Superfast Express" and made to run between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchchirappalli Junction. And its rakes are shared with Vaigai Super Fast Express at Chennai Egmore remains same. 29 years later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. The express along with Vaigai Superfast Express serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Trichy apart from air. The Express makes the 426 km (265 mi) run in 6 hours 45 mins with only 12 stops.

It is the most popular day train for travel between Tiruchchirappalli Junction and Chennai Egmore. It maintains excellent speed in its whole way making the one-way trip in just over 5 hours as compared to the 7–9 hours by road. Pallavan Superfast is fondly called as "Prince of Chord line" and its Rake sharing partner Vaigai Superfast is known as "King of Chord line".

This train runs at its max permit speed 110 kmph between Chennai Egmore and Tiruchchirappalli.

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  Decorated name board on 38th anniversary, 2022
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  Pallavan entering its one of the high patronage stop Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli
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  Pallavan Superfast name board
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  Pallavan Superfast curving after Nunghambakkam, Chennai
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  Pallavan Superfast exiting Srirangam, Tiruchchirappalli
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  Pallavan Superfast curving into Villupuram Junction

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 12:15 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 .[2]

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

This train is being hauled by an electric locomotive WAP 7 from Electric Loco Shed, Royapuram between Chennai Egmore and Karaikudi Junction and vice versa.

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	EOG

Initially when introduced between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli in 1984 YDM4 was used to haul this train in MG.

Then from 1999 this train was converted to broad gauge and GOC WDM series green livery alco hauled this train.

Chord line was electrified and from 2012, this train used AJJ/ED WAP4 or RPM/ED WAP7 between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli.

After getting extended to Karaikkudi a GOC WDP4 series or GOC WDM series was usually made as onlink for this train between Tiruchchirappalli and Karaikkudi.

The rakes are maintained at Madurai.

There are also demands to extend this train from Karaikudi Junction to Manamadurai Junction which is further 62 kms away from Karaikudi junction along with a stoppage at Sivaganga.[3]

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.[4]

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• Pearl City Express.
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• Tambaram–Nagercoil Antyodaya Express

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• Southern Railway