VirgilBugnion41 at 03:13, 24 April 2026

2026-04-24T03:13:53Z

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{{Italic title}}{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Pallavan Superfast Express
| image = File:Pallavan SF Express Large Name Board.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = Chennai Egmore - Karaikudi Pallavan Superfast Express At Chennai Egmore.
| type = [[Superfast Express trains in India|Superfast]]
| status = Active
| predecessor = Madras Egmore Madurai Pallavan Express
| first = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1984|08|15}}
| last =
| successor = Karaikkudi Chennai Egmore Pallavan Superfast Express
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway]]
| start = {{rws|Karaikkudi Junction||Karaikkudi}} (KKDI)
| stops = 12
| end = {{rws|Chennai Egmore}} (MS)
| distance = {{convert|426|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 6 hours 50 minutes
| frequency = Daily
| trainnumber = 12605 / 12606
| line_used = [[Chord Line, Tamil Nadu|Chord line]]
| class = * 3 A/C Chair Car
* 13 Non A/C Chair Car
* 3 General Unreserved
* 1 EoG
* 1 Second Class Luggage Rake with Divyangjan compartment
* 1 Pantry (A/C Hot Buffet)
| access = {{Access icon|20px}}
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = No
| autorack =
| catering = Available
| observation = Enlarged windows
| entertainment = Nil
| baggage = Available as overhead racks in all coaches, single dedicated 2 ton Luggage coach (for Baggage above 20 kgs)
| otherfacilities = Electricity outlet ports for charging, Food and Bottle holders, Foot rest and reclining seats.
| stock = [[LHB coach]]
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm}}
| el = 25 kV, 50 Hz AC OHE railway traction.
| speed = {{convert|69|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts.
| owners = Indian Railways
| maintenance = [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai]] depot
| sharing = 12635/12636 [[Vaigai Superfast Express]]
| map = [[File:Pallavan Express (KKDI - MS) Route map.jpg|250px]]
| map_state = hide
| depot = Madurai
}}

The 12605 / 12606 '''Pallavan Superfast Express'''{{efn|The train was named to commemorate the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas Kingdom]], who ruled over the parts that is the present Chennai and its surroundings.}} is an [[Intercity Express (Indian Railways)|Intercity express]] typed [[Superfast Express trains in India|superfast]] service operated by the [[Southern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]]. This service connects the cities of [[Chennai]] to [[Karaikudi]] via [[Tiruchirappalli]] in the Indian [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The rakes of this train was upgraded to brand new modern LHB rakes from 30 June 2019. This train is fondly called as '''Prince of Southern Railways.'''
[[File:Pallavan Express by kkpbalaji.jpg|thumb|YAM 1 LOCOMOTIVE COUPLED FOR MADRAS EGMORE TIRUCHCHIRAPPALLI PALLAVAN EXPRESS]]
[[File:Pallavan SuperFast Express Large Name Board.jpg|300px|thumb|right]]

==History==
[[File:6286 YDM 4A LOCOMOTIVE DECORATION FOR INAUGURATION OF BOUND FOR MADRAS MADURAI PALLAVAN EXPRESS.jpg|thumb|6286 YDM 4A LOCOMOTIVE DECORATION FOR INAUGURATION OF MADRAS MADURAI PALLAVAN EXPRESS]]

This Express was introduced to run along with the [[Vaigai Express]] from [[Chennai]] to [[Madurai]] in [[Metre-gauge railway|Metre Gauge]] era. The express was initially introduced on 15 August 1984 between Chennai and Madurai as a daily day express service with remaining rakes of [[Vaigai Superfast Express]] in the name of Pallavan Express which is listed in the timetable then (as shown in the image).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glorious days of Vaigai Express! - David Pravin - Trip Report {{!}} IRFCA.org |url=https://www.irfca.org/members/trips/david-20030822-vaigai.html |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>

[[File:1985 PALLAVAN EXPRESS TIMETABLE.jpg|thumb|Madras Egmore Madurai Pallavan Express Timetable (1985), Southern Railways]]

[[File:6287 YDM 4A LOCOMOTIVE BOUND FOR MADURAI MADRAS PALLAVAN EXPRESS.jpg|thumb|6287 YDM 4A LOCOMOTIVE BOUND FOR MADURAI MADRAS PALLAVAN EXPRESS]]

Both Pallavan and Vaigai Express took approximately 5 hours 40 minutes to cover 330 km on Chennai - Tiruchchirappalli Metre Gauge route<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Timetable Archive {{!}} IRFCA.org |url=https://www.irfca.org/timetables/index.html |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.irfca.org}}</ref>'''.'''

From 1984 to 1986 115 DOWN Pallavan departed [[Chennai Egmore railway station|Madras Egmore]] at 05:35 and reached [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Junction]] around 14:30 again 116 UP Pallavan departed from [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai]] at 15:00 and reached [[Madras Egmore]] at 22:30. By that time it had only 4 stops [[Viluppuram Junction railway station|Villupuram Junction]], [[Vriddhachalam Junction railway station|Vridhachalam Junction]], [[Tiruchchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchchirappalli Junction]] and [[Dindigul Junction railway station|Dindigul Junction.]]

[[File:Pallavan exp 05.jpg|thumb|6286 YDM 4A LOCOMOTIVE BOUND FOR MADRAS EGMORE TIRUCHCHIRAPPALLI PALLAVAN EXPRESS]]

Then from 1986, Pallavan SuperFast Express was made to run till [[Tiruchchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchchirappalli Junction]] by Mr.B.Panchapakesan where it faced a '''slot change'''. It departed [[Tiruchchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchchirappalli Junction]] around 6:15 and reached [[Madras Egmore]] at 11:30 and departed [[Chennai Egmore railway station|Madras Egmore]] at 15:30 and reached [[Tiruchchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchchirappalli Junction]] at 20:45. It had 3 stops, [[Viluppuram Junction railway station|Villupuram Junction]], [[Vriddhachalam Junction railway station|Vridhachalam Junction]] and [[Srirangam]].

Later, in 1998 this train got converted to Broad Gauge and stops were increased due to demand. Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur, Ariyalur, Lalgudi stops were added in year 2000–2006.

And its rakes are shared with Vaigai Super Fast Express at Chennai Egmore remains same since 1986. Both Vaigai and Pallavan were the '''only SuperFast trains in Chennai - Tiruchchirappalli - Madurai section till 2000.'''

27 years later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. This express runs along with Vaigai Superfast serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Tiruchchirappalli/Karaikkudi apart from air.

==Schedule==
The Pallavan Express departs Karaikudi Junction at 05:40 AM then reaches [[Tiruchirappalli Junction]] at 06:50 AM, and will reach its final destination [[Chennai Egmore railway station|Chennai Egmore]] at 12:15 PM{{nbsp}}

And 12605 Pallavan Express departs Chennai Egmore at 03:40 PM then arrives [[Tiruchirappalli Junction]] around 08:40 PM and reaches Karaikkudi Junction at 10:30 PM{{nbsp}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-pallavan-superfast-express-12605/1221/779/3073 | title=12605/Pallavan SuperFast Express - Chennai Egmore to Karaikkudi SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry }}</ref>

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

== Rakes ==
Coach Position of 12606 KKDI MS PALLAVAN SUPERFAST
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:#12ad2b;"| Loco
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:#804a00;"| 1
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:#ffd700;"| 2
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:#0000ff;"| 3
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#0000ff;" | 4
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#0000ff;" | 5
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 6
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 7
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 8
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 9
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 10
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 11
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 12
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#ffa500;" | 13
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 14
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 15
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 16
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 17
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 18
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#00bfff;" | 19
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#ffd700;" | 20
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#ffd700;" | 21
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:#804a00;" | 22
|-
|[[File:BSicon LDER.svg|25px]]|| EOG || UR || C1 || C2 || C3 || D1 || D2 || D3 || D4 || D5 || D6 ||D7||PC|| D8|| D9 || D10 || D11 || D12 || D13 || UR || UR || SLR
|}

Initially when introduced between Chennai and Madurai YAM-1 was used to haul this train in MG.

[[Chord Line, Tamil Nadu|Chord line]] was electrified and from 2012, this train used AJJ/ED [[Indian locomotive class WAP-4|WAP4]]. Then [[WDP-3A]] take a turn to pull it

Currently it is regularly hauled by RPM or ED [[Indian locomotive class WAP-7|WAP7]] earlier was [[WAP-4]] and [[WDP-3A]]

The rakes are maintained at [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai]].

==Developments==
Strong demands arising to operate this train from Tiruchchirappalli Junction like earlier days as this train has high patronage in Tiruchchirappalli suburbs.

There are also demands to extend this train from Karaikudi Junction to [[Manamadurai Junction railway station|Manamadurai Junction]] which is further 62 km away from Karaikudi junction along with a stoppages at Devakottai Road, Kallal and [[Sivaganga railway station|Sivaganga]].<ref>{{Cite news |author= |date=2019-06-26 |title=Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/karti-chidambaram-for-re-scheduling-of-some-trains/article28158570.ece |access-date=2022-12-20 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Incidents==
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]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajaram |first=R. |date=2018-04-25 |title=Derailment of Pallavan Express at Tiruchi hits rail traffic |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/derailment-of-pallavan-express-at-tiruchi-hits-rail-traffic/article23673845.ece |access-date=2023-02-14 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Cholan Express]]
* [[Vaigai Express]]
* [[Rockfort Express]]
* [[Mysore-Mayiladuthurai Express]]
* [[Pearl City Express]]
* [[Chennai Egmore–Kanniyakumari Express]]
* [[Tambaram–Nagercoil Antyodaya Express]]
* [[Chendur Express]]
* [[Tea Garden Express]]
* [[Pandian Express]]
* [[Ananthapuri Express]]
* [[Uzhavan Express]]
* [[Boat Mail Express]]
* [[Sethu Express]]
* [[Nilgiri Express]]
* [[Cheran Express]]
* [[Silambu Express]]
* [[Thamirabarani Express]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.srailway.com/ Southern Railway]

{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pallavan Express}}
[[Category:Transport in Chennai]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Express trains in India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1984]]

Pallavan Express - Revision history

VirgilBugnion41 at 03:13, 24 April 2026