Kerala Express

The 12625 / 12626 Kerala 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.

Kerala Express
Kerala Express train board.
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
First service1977 (1977) (split train as Kerala–Karnataka (KK) Express )[1]
1983 (1983) (as Kerala Express)[2]
Current operator(s)Southern Railway
Route
TerminiNew Delhi (NDLS)
Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC)
Stops41
Distance travelled3,031 km (1,883 mi)
Average journey time49 hours 25 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12625 / 12626
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Third AC Economy, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Auto-rack arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) maximum speed,
61 km/h (38 mph) average including halts
Route map

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]

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

Traction

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

See also
  • Ernakulam Town
  • Karnataka Express
  • Kerala Sampark Kranti Express
  • Mangala Lakshadweep Express
  • Trivandrum Central

References
  1. "Railway Budget speech 1977-78 (interim)" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Ministry of Railways. 28 March 1977.
  2. "Railway Budget speech 1983-199084" (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. 11 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  8. "Heatwave claims 4 on Kerala Express". Mumbai Mirror. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
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