imported>Elvorix: Undid edits by 217.165.231.29 (talk) to last revision by Asukite: nonconstructive edits

2021-08-22T12:30:00Z

Undid edits by 217.165.231.29 (talk) to last revision by Asukite: nonconstructive edits

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{{one source|date=June 2016}}
{{italictitle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Venad Express
| image=[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venad_Express.jpg]
| image_width =1031x573
| caption =
| type =
| locale =
| first =
| last =
| operator = [[Indian Railways]]
| ridership =
| start = [[Shoranur]]
| stops = 29
| end = [[Trivandrum Central]]
| distance = {{convert|327|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 7 hours 50 minutes
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC Chair Car, Second Sitting, General Unreserved
| seating = Yes
| sleeping =
| autorack =
| catering = Yes
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment =
| baggage =
| otherfacilities=
| stock = [[LHB coaches]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 16301 / 16302
| speed =
| map = [[File:Venad Express (Shoranur - Trivandrum) Route map.jpg|250px]]
| map_state =
}}
The '''''Venad Express''''' is an [[Express trains in India|Express train]] that runs daily between {{stnlnk|Shoranur Junction}} and {{stnlnk|Trivandrum Central}} via {{stnlnk|Kottayam}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Venad Express (16302) – Train from Trivandrum Central to Shoranur Junction {{!}}Cleartrip|url=https://www.cleartrip.com/trains/16302/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.cleartrip.com}}</ref> The train's numbers are 16301 (from Shoranur Junction to Trivandrum Central)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book cab, bus, train tickets and food at best deals with RailYatri app|url=https://www.railyatri.in/live-train-status/16301-shoranur-trivandrum-venad-express-srr-to-tvc|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.railyatri.in}}</ref> and 16302 (from Trivandrum Central to Shoranur Junction).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shandilya|first=Tushar|title=16302/Venad Express – Kottayam to Shoranur SR/Southern Zone – Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-venad-express-16302/1734/575/44|access-date=2020-11-22|website=India Rail Info}}</ref>

== History ==
The ''Venad Express'' is one of the oldest daily intercity trains in [[Kerala]], as well as one of the most popular trains to travel between [[Trivandrum]] (the state capital) and [[Ernakulam]] (Kochi). The Express was introduced in 1972 by [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Running train status of Venad Express {{!}} 16301 – Track & Spot your Train – TravelKhana.Com|url=https://www.travelkhana.com/travelkhana/track-train/16301-Venad-Express|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.travelkhana.com}}</ref> It travelled the {{track gauge|1m|allk=on}} track between [[Trivandrum Central]] and [[Ernakulam]]. [[Diesel engine]]s were used to power the train. The train initially had a green [[livery]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Intercities in Kerala - History and degradation [2004-02-29] by Jimmy Jose — IRFCA.org|url=https://www.irfca.org/apps/trip_reports/show/88|access-date=2020-11-22|publisher=IRFCA}}</ref> In 1976, [[Indian Railways]] converted the tracks to [[Broad-gauge railway|broad gauge]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.irfca.org/articles/jimmyjose-20051128-quilon.html| title=Quilon| at=Diesel Era In Quilon| website=IRFCA| first=Jimmy| last=Jose| date=November 28, 2005}}</ref> In the 1980s, [[Indian Railways]] introduced double-decker coaches for the ''Venad Express''. However, the company later withdrew the double-decker compartments due to operational issues.

In 2020, the route of the ''Venad Express'' was extended to [[Shoranur]].<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2020-10-01|title=Venad Express to be extended till Shoranur|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/venad-express-to-be-extended-till-shoranur/article32745568.ece|access-date=2020-11-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Before its route extension, the train left {{stnlnk|Trivandrum Central}} at 05:30 and reached {{stnlnk|Ernakulam Junction}} at 09:30. On the return direction, the train left Ernakulam Junction at 05:15 and reached Trivandrum Central by 09:30.

== Name ==
The name ''Venad'' comes from the dynasty of [[Venad]] Swarupam, which ruled over [[Quilon|Quilon (Kollam)]]. The Trivandrum Division of [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railway Zone]] set a precedent on [[International Women's Day]], March 8, 2020, when it ran the ''Venad Express'' with an all-female crew<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mar 9|first=TNN /|last2=2020|last3=Ist|first3=04:53|title=All-women crew operates train {{!}} Kochi News-Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/all-women-crew-operates-train/articleshow/74542521.cms|access-date=2020-11-10|website=The Times of India}}</ref> from Ernakulam Junction to Shoranur Junction. This was the first time in Kerala's history that an express train was operated by all-female crew.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Special Correspondent|first=The Hindu Newspaper|date=March 9, 2020|title=Venad Express operates with all-women crew|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/venad-express-operates-with-all-women-crew/article31018670.ece|url-status=live|access-date=December 2, 2020}}</ref>

== Frequency ==
This ''Venad Express'' runs daily. Train number 16301 departs Shoranur Junction at 14:25 and reaches Trivandrum Central at 22:20. Train number 16302 departs from Trivandrum Central at 05:00 and reaches Shoranur Junction at 12:45.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Venad Express/16302 Time Table/Schedule: Trivandrum to Shoranur SR/Southern Zone – Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/venad-express-16302/1734/59/44|access-date=2020-11-10|website=India Rail Info}}</ref> It covers a distance of 327 kilometers (203 mi.) in each direction, and takes 7 hours and 50 minutes to go from end to end.

The ''Venad Express'' links major commercial hubs within Kerala, including [[Trissur|Thrissur]], [[Aluva]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kottayam]], [[Tiruvalla]], [[Kayamkulam]], [[Kollam]], [[Varkala]], and [[Kochuveli]] with [[Trivandrum]].

== Coach composition ==
The train's [[rake (train)|rake]] contains 16 unreserved coaches, 2 reserved coaches, an AC chair car coach, a pantry car and 2 EOG (End on Generation) coach cars for a total of 22 coaches. The train was allotted [[LHB coaches]] starting in November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=(16301) Venad Express Train Schedule {{!}} Coach Position {{!}} Train Route. – eRailway.co.in|url=https://erailway.co.in/trains/16301-VENAD-EXPRESS|access-date=2021-01-08|website=erailway.co.in}}</ref>

Advance reservation is available only in three compartments. Seats can be reserved through the [[IRCTC]] website or from the railway station. Other coaches can be boarded with an unreserved ticket.

=== Rake/Coach composition ===
{|class="wikitable" style= "text-align:center; width: 60%"
|LOCO
|EOG
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|D2
|D1
|C1
|PC
|UR
|UR
|UR
|UR
|EOG

|}
EOG – End on Generator

UR – Unreserved

D – Second Sitting

C – AC Chair Car

PC – Pantry Car

==See also==
*[[Palaruvi Express]]
*[[Rail transport in India]]
*[[Vanchinad Express]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Venad Express}}
[[Category:Transport in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kerala]]
[[Category:Express trains in India]]

{{India-express-train-stub}}

Venad Express - Revision history

imported>Elvorix: Undid edits by 217.165.231.29 (talk) to last revision by Asukite: nonconstructive edits