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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
The '''Vaigai Superfast Express''' is a [[High-speed rail in India|super fast]]  express train running daily between [[Madurai Junction|Madurai]] and [[Chennai Egmore|Chennai]] via [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Tiruchirappalli]] operated by [[Southern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]]. The name '''Vaigai Express''' has been '''always popular among not only rail users but also among rail fans of two different generations as the train has won the hearts of thousands of people who have known and experienced it from the early days.''' Due to the demand for a day train between [[Madurai]] and [[Madras]], which gradually began to increase from the 1970s, the Southern Railway decided to introduce a super fast train for the first time on the MG in Southern railway. The YDM engine numbers most of the time pulls Vaigai express in meter gauge were 6286,6287,6177,6179.This train got updated with modern LHB coaches from 30 June 2019.
The '''Vaigai Superfast Express''' is a [[Intercity Express (Indian Railways)|Intercity express]] typed [[High-speed rail in India|super fast]]  express train running daily between [[Madurai Junction|Madurai]] and [[Chennai Egmore|Chennai]] via [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Tiruchirappalli]] operated by [[Southern Railway zone]] of the [[Indian Railways]]. The name '''Vaigai Express''' has been always popular among not only rail users but also among rail fans of two different generations as the train has won the hearts of thousands of people who have known and experienced it from the early days. This train is fondly called as the KING OF CHORD LINE{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}'''.''' Due to the demand for a day train between [[Madurai]] and [[Madras]], which gradually began to increase from the 1970s, the Southern Railway decided to introduce a super fast train for the first time on the MG in Southern railway. The YDM engine numbers most of the time pulls Vaigai express in meter gauge were 6286,6287,6177,6179.This train got updated with modern [[LHB coaches]] from 30 June ''2019'''.'''''
 
Vaigai Superfast Express and [[Pallavan Superfast Express]] are the popular trains of their section also fondly called as CHORD LINE BROTHERS.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rail service
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Vaigai Superfast Express     
| name = Vaigai Superfast Express     
Line 19: Line 21:
| end = {{rws|Madurai Junction}} '''(MDU)'''
| end = {{rws|Madurai Junction}} '''(MDU)'''
| distance = {{convert|493|km|abbr=on}}
| distance = {{convert|493|km|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 8 Hours
| journeytime = 7 Hours 30 minutes
| frequency = Daily
| frequency = Daily
| class = CC, 2S, EOG & UR
| class = CC, 2S, EOG & UR
| seating        = [[LHB coaches|LHB]]<br><small>(Reserved)</small><br>[[Corridor coach]]<br><small>(Unreserved)</small>
| seating        = [[LHB coaches|LHB]]<br /><small>(Reserved)</small><br />[[Corridor coach]]<br /><small>(Unreserved)</small>
| sleeping = No
| sleeping = No
| catering        = On-board
| catering        = On-board
| observation    = Windows in all carriages
| observation    = Windows in all carriages
| entertainment  = No
| entertainment  = No
| baggage        = Overhead racks <br> Baggage carriage
| baggage        = Overhead racks <br /> Baggage carriage
| autorack =
| autorack =
| otherfacilities=
| otherfacilities=
| stock = '''Locomotive:'''<br>[[WAP 7]] ({{abbrlink|RPM|Royapuram railway station}})<br>'''Bogie:'''<br>Three AC Chair Car (CC)<br>Fourteen Second Seating (2S)<br>Two SLR<br>Four UR/GS<br>One [[Pantry car]] Two (EOG)
| stock = '''Locomotive:'''<br />[[WAP 7]] ({{abbrlink|RPM|Royapuram railway station}})<br />'''Bogie:'''<br />Three AC Chair Car (CC)<br />Fourteen Second Seating (2S)<br />Two SLR<br />Four UR/GS<br />One [[Pantry car]] Two (EOG)
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm}}
| gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm}}
| el =
| el =
| trainnumber = 12635/12636
| trainnumber = 12635/12636
| speed = {{convert|67|km/h|abbr=on}} Avg. (including halts)  
[02635/02636(Covid-19 Special)]
| rake = [[LHB coaches|LHB]]
| speed = {{convert|67|km/h|abbr=on}} Avg. (including halts) Max Speed: 110 kmph
| owners          = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| owners          = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| routenumber    = 7/7A<ref>{{cite web|title=Combined South Zone Timetable - 2015|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1445937217005-SouthZone-Combined.pdf|website=[[Southern Railway zone]]|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=4 June 2016|pages=51–56|format=[[PDF]]|date=2015}}</ref>
| routenumber    = 7/7A<ref>{{cite web|title=Combined South Zone Timetable - 2015|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1445937217005-SouthZone-Combined.pdf|website=[[Southern Railway zone]]|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|access-date=4 June 2016|pages=51–56|date=2015}}</ref>
| map = [[File:Vaigai Express (Madurai-Chennai) Route map.jpg|250px]]
| map = [[File:Vaigai Express (Madurai-Chennai) Route map.jpg|250px]]
| map_state =
| map_state =
}}
}}


'''HALTING STATIONS'''
== History and Background ==
On 15{{nbsp}}August 1977 at 6 am, Down Train No. 135 Vaigai Express began its inaugural journey from [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Junction]] to [[Chennai Egmore|Madras Egmore]], with 16 yellow and green livery coaches and a matching YDM4 diesel loco. When it was introduced in 1977, this train had 16 coaches, hauled by twin-YDM4 diesel locos, and by 1984 it was bifurcated as the [[Pallavan Express|Pallavan Superfast Express]], comprising eight coaches.
 
The Vaigai express clocked the fastest run between Madurai and Madras Egmore over a distance of {{convert|497|km}} on the first day in 7 hours and 5 minutes when it entered [[Chennai Egmore|Madras Egmore]] at 1.05 p.m. that afternoon, matching the speed of many Broad Gauge super fast trains on the SR. For safety purposes the train was slowed down to a journey time of 7 hours and 40 minutes later on. At that time the train had only three stops they are [[Viluppuram Junction railway station|Villupuram Junction]], [[Tiruchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchirappalli Junction]] and [[Dindigul Junction railway station|Dindigul Junction]]. Later on the stops were increased due to demands of people.
 
From 1999 onwards, Vaigai Express has been converted from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge and hauled by Broad gauge Diesel Locomotives of [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Golden Rock]]. From 12{{nbsp}}February 2014, the Vaigai Express is being hauled by  electric locomotive WAP-4 from Arakkonam & Erode Loco Shed & WAP-7 from Royapuram Loco Shed from Madurai to Chennai Egmore.
 
'''''THE RECORD''''' '''''BREAKING''''' '''''RUN'''''
 
Vaigai Express made a historic record by covering the distance of 495&nbsp;km from Madurai to Chennai in 6 hour 40 minutes''',''' on 3 March 2022 12636 MDU-MS Vaigai express departed Madurai with a delay of 21 minutes at 7.26 AM but the train reached its destination 23 before its scheduled time by 2.07 pm, breaking its own best record on the innaugral of 7 hour 5 minutes on 15/8/1977.
The Hindu Madurai edition has published this news about the record breaking run by Vaigai Express on 3/3/2022 <ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/vaigai-express-breaks-its-own-speed-record/article65193731.ece | title=Vaigai Express breaks its own speed record | newspaper=The Hindu | date=5 March 2022 | last1=Sundar | first1=S. }}</ref>
 
== History of Uniqueness ==
It was the only train at that time in SR which had completely tube lighted interiors and sun control sliding glass shutters installed for the first time in all its eight-second class coaches.
 
The driver and the guard also had a corded telephone system to communicate.
 
With the turntable facility available at Trichy, Chennai and Madurai, the operations staff always ensured that the YDM4 hauling the Vaigai Express always had the short hood facing the front every time its started it journey.


{| class="wikitable"
This train also was one of its kind in SR which had its livery changed a number of times from its original yellow-green combination to white-gray-red livery and then again to vermillon red - cream livery and again to cream-brown livery on the MG.
!  Station code !! Station name
 
|-
The YDM4 for the Vaigai Express had been fitted with a double-tone horn which made it easy for rail users and railway staff alike to identify the loco as well as the train, which was never on use on the other YDM4s which operated on the same route for other trains.
|  '''MDU'''
 
||  '''[[Madurai Junction]]'''
This the only MG train on the SR to be fitted with specially enhanced buffers and certified to run at 110&nbsp;km/h.
|-
|  '''SDN'''
||  '''Sholavandhan'''
|-
|  '''DG'''
||  '''Dindigul Junction'''
|-
|  '''TPJ'''
||  '''Tiruchirapalli Junction'''
|-
|  '''ALU'''
||  '''Ariyalur'''
|-
|  '''VRI'''
||  '''Vridhachalam Junction'''
|-
|  '''VM'''
||  '''Villupuram junction'''
|-
|  '''CGL'''
||  '''Chengalpattu'''
|-
|  '''TBM'''
||  '''Tambaram'''
|-
|  '''MS'''
||'''[[Chennai Egmore]]'''
|}


== History and Background ==
For the first time on the MG, the ICF manufactured two 40-seat AC chair car coaches exclusively for the Vaigai and [[Pallavan Superfast Express|Pallavan express]] and used in those trains.
On 15{{nbsp}}August 1977 at 6 am, Down Train No. 135 Vaigai Express began its inaugural journey from [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Junction]] to [[Chennai Egmore|Madras Egmore]], with 16 yellow and green livery coaches and a matching YDM4 diesel loco. When it was introduced in 1977, this train had 16 coaches, hauled by twin-YDM4 diesel locos, and by 1984 it was bifurcated as the [[Pallavan Express|Pallavan Superfast Express]], comprising eight coaches.
The Vaigai express clocked the fastest run between Madurai and Madras Egmore over a distance of {{convert|497|km}} on the first day in 7 hours and 5 minutes when it entered [[Chennai Egmore|Madras Egmore]] at 1.05 p.m. that afternoon, matching the speed of many Broad Gauge super fast trains on the SR. For safety purposes the train, was slowed down to a journey time of 7 hours and 40 minutes later on. At that time the train had only three stops they are [[Viluppuram Junction railway station|Villupuram Junction]], [[Tiruchirappalli Junction railway station|Tiruchirappalli Junction]] and [[Dindigul Junction railway station|Dindigul Junction]]. Later on the stops were increased due to demands of people. It was the only train at that time in SR which had completely tube lighted interiors and sun control sliding glass shutters installed for the first time in all its eight-second class coaches. The driver and the guard also had a corded telephone system to communicate. With the turntable facility available at Trichy, Chennai and Madurai, the operations staff always ensured that the YDM4 hauling the Vaigai Express always had the short hood facing the front every time its started it journey.


This train also was one of its kind in SR which had its livery changed a number of times from its original yellow-green combination to white-gray-red livery and then again to vermillon red - cream livery and again to cream-brown livery on the MG. The YDM4 for the Vaigai Express had been fitted with a double-tone horn which made it easy for rail users and railway staff alike to identify the loco as well as the train, which was never on use on the other YDM4s which operated on the same route for other trains. This the only MG train on the SR to be fitted with specially enhanced buffers and certified to run at 110&nbsp;km/h. For the first time on the MG, the ICF manufactured two 40-seat AC chair car coaches exclusively for the Vaigai and [[Pallavan Superfast Express|Pallavan express]] and used in those trains. From 1999 onwards, Vaigai Express has been converted from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge and hauled by Broad gauge Diesel Locomotives of [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Golden Rock]]. From 12{{nbsp}}February 2014, the Vaigai Express is being hauled by  electric locomotive WAP-4 from Arakkonam & Erode Loco Shed & WAP-7 from Royapuram Loco Shed from Madurai to Chennai Egmore.
This is the only train in Indian Railways which had a unique coach PS1, PANTRY CAR CUM CHAIR CAR coach where half of the coach is Pantry car and another half is normal Chair Car. But it was replaced with AC hot buffet car after LHB upgradation.


== Accident of Vaigai Superfast Express ==
== Accident of Vaigai Superfast Express ==
August 1978 to January 1979  Vaigai Express was involved in accidents twice. On 21 December 1978 it dashed against two boulders between Talanallur and Vriddhachalam Town stations and on 22 December 1978 it derailed at Tiruchirappalli station.<ref>https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2057/1/lsd_06_07_01-03-1979.pdf Page no. 98</ref>
Between August 1978 to January 1979  Vaigai Express was involved in accidents twice. On 21 December 1978 it dashed against two boulders between Talanallur and Vriddhachalam Town stations and on 22 December 1978 it derailed at Tiruchirappalli station.<ref>https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2057/1/lsd_06_07_01-03-1979.pdf Page no. 98</ref>


== Rakes ==
== Rakes ==
Line 118: Line 107:


==Enroute==
==Enroute==
Train number 12636 leaves {{rws|Madurai Junction}} at 7:00 am and arrives at [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Trichy Junction]] at 9:00 am before reaching {{rws|Chennai Egmore}} at 2:35 pm. Since the [[Rake (train)|rake]]s of these service are utilised for the [[Pallavan Express]], the rakes of the Chennai-bound Pallavan Express leave Chennai Egmore as the Vaigai Express at 1:40 pm and arrive at [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Trichy Junction]] at 6:30 pm before reaching {{rws|Madurai Junction}} at 9:20 pm at an average speed of {{convert|65|km/h}}<ref>Indian Rail info http://indiarailinfo.com/train/1228</ref>
Train number 12636 leaves {{rws|Madurai Junction}} at 7:05 am and arrives at [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Trichy Junction]] at 9:15 am before reaching {{rws|Chennai Egmore}} at 2:30 pm. Since the [[Rake (train)|rake]]s of these service are utilised for the [[Pallavan Express]], the rakes of the Chennai-bound Pallavan Express leave Chennai Egmore as the Vaigai Express at 1:40 pm and arrive at [[Tiruchirappalli Junction|Trichy Junction]] at 6:30 pm before reaching {{rws|Madurai Junction}} at 9:15 pm at an average speed of {{convert|65|km/h}}<ref>Indian Rail info http://indiarailinfo.com/train/1228</ref>


== In popular culture ==
==Station stops==
As it is the fastest train on the [[Chord Line, Tamil Nadu|Chord line]] between Chennai-Trichy, it is nicknamed Horse of Chord line and has a good reputation for punctuality. Its popularity amongst fans is high in the area served by [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways]]. It was the first train in [[Madurai]] Division hauled by the most prestigious loco of Indian Railways, the [[WAP-7]] (RPM).
 
===Chennai to Madurai (12635/02635)===
List of stops on the Vaigai Express from Chennai to Madurai(Train No(s) : 12635/02635).<ref>http://enquiry.indianrail.gov.in/ntes/</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Stop No
!Station Code
!Station
!Arrival/Departure
!Distance (km)
|-
| 1
| MS
| Chennai Egmore
|'''Starts 13:50'''
| 0
|-
|2
| TBM
| Tambaram
|14:18/14:20
| 25
|-
|3
| CGL
| Chengalpattu Junction
|14.48/14:50
| 56
|-
|4
| VM
| Villupuram Junction
|16:00/16:05
| 158
|-
|5
| VRI
| Vridachalam Junction
|16:45/16:47
| 213
|-
|6
| ALU
| Ariyalur
|17:24/17:25
| 260
|-
|7
| TPJ
| Tiruchirappalli Junction
|18:35/18:40
| 336
|-
|8
| MPA
| Manaparai
|19:09/19:10
| 366
|-
|9
| DG
| Dindigul Junction
|19:52/19:55
| 424
|-
|10
| SDN
| Sholavandan
|20:29/20:30
| 469
|-
|11
| MDU
| Madurai Junction
|'''21:15 Ends'''
| 490
|}


The 38th anniversary of the train was celebrated by rail fans  who brought a special cake with a picture of the Vaigai Express and porcelain mugs printed with photographs of the train depicting its evolution since 1977.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=A-birthday-party-for-Vaigai-Express-21082015008021|title = A birthday party for Vaigai Express|date = 21 August 2015|work = [[The Times of India]]|access-date = 25 August 2015|location = [[Chennai]]}}</ref>
===Madurai to Chennai(12636/02636)===
List of stops on the Vaigai Express from Madurai to Chennai(Train No(s) : 12636/02636).<ref>http://enquiry.indianrail.gov.in/ntes/</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Stop No
!Station Code
!Station
!Arrival/Departure
!Distance (km)
|-
| 1
| MDU
| Madurai Junction
|'''Starts 07:05'''
| 0
|-
|2
| SDN
| Sholavandan
|07:24/07:25
| 21
|-
|3
| DG
| Dindigul Junction
|08:03/08:05
| 66
|-
|4
| MPA
| Manaparai
|08:44/08:45
| 124
|-
|5
| TPJ
| Tiruchirappalli Junction
|09:15/09:20
| 160
|-
|6
| ALU
| Ariyalur
|10:14/10:15
| 230
|-
|7
| VRI
| Vridachalam Junction
|10:48/10:50
| 277
|-
|8
| VM
| Villupuram Junction
|11:40/11:45
| 332
|-
|9
| CGL
| Chengalpattu Junction
|13:03/13:05
| 435
|-
|10
| TBM
| Tambaram
|13:33/13:35
| 466
|-
|11
| MBM
| Mambalam
|14:53/14:55
| 483
|-
|12
| MS
| Chennai Egmore
|'''14:30 Ends'''
| 490
|}


A group of rail fans celebrated 39th Anniversary of Vaigai Express on 15/8/2016, rail fans decorated the loco of Chennai bound vaigai express(12636) and they did Cake cutting once the Madurai Bound Vaigai Express Arrived at Madurai (12635)
== In popular culture ==
As it is the fastest train on the [[Chord Line, Tamil Nadu|Chord line]] between Chennai-Trichy after Tejas Express, it is nicknamed Horse of Chord line and King. And it is having a good reputation for punctuality. Its popularity amongst fans is high in the area served by [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways]]. It was the first train in [[Madurai]] Division hauled by the most prestigious loco of Indian Railways, the [[WAP-7]] (RPM).


42nd Anniversary of the Vaigai Express was celebrated by a group of Railfans on 15/8/2019 along with Madurai division Railway station staff's and Railway officials
A film is also released in the [[Vaigai Express (film)|name of this train.]]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKPDLGXd6Dw


== See also ==
== See also ==
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/336411"