Thiruvananthapuram Mail
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Tamil Nadu and Kerala |
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railway zone |
| Route | |
| Start | Thiruvananthapuram Central/Chennai Central |
| Stops | 21 for 12624 and 20 for 12623 |
| End | Chennai Central/Thiruvananthapuram Central |
| Distance travelled | 926 km (575 mi) |
| Average journey time | 16 hours 00 minutes towards TVC and 16 hours 40 minutes towards MAS |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 12623 / 12624 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | AC 2 Tier AC ,3 Tier AC,Sleeper Class,General |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | Couchette car |
| Auto-rack arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | Yes |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Entertainment facilities | No |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 7 |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC 50 Hz |
| Operating speed | 110 kmph between erode junction and chennai central, 80 kmph on halts |
Thiruvananthapuram mail (Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം മെയിൽ) (Tamil: திருவனந்தபுரம் மெயில்) (Thiruvananthapuram mail/Chennai mail) is a daily superfast express running between Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai.[1] It is one of the most prestigious trains of the Southern Railway zone of the Indian railways. This train runs via Kottayam. This train connects 6 big cities in South India(Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Coimbatore and Chennai).
History
The train was introduced in 1940 as No.19/20 Madras - Cochin Harbour Terminus Express and was later renamed as Madras - Cochin Harbour Terminus Mail .Diesel loco was given to this train in 1961.The train was later extended to Thiruvananthapuram Central when the rail link connecting to Thiruvananthapuram Central via Kottayam was completed.
Timings
As per the numbering system of the Indian Railways, the train has been currently assigned the number 12623 for the down direction (Chennai central -Thiruvananthapuram central) and 12624 for the up direction (Thiruvananthapuram Central - Chennai central). In the downward direction, the train departs at 19.45 hours and reaches Thiruvananthapuram at 11.45 hours next day. In the upward direction, the train departs at 14.50 hours and reaches Chennai at 07.30 hours. Its timing is one of the most perfect timing in Kerala specially for people living between Kayamkulam JN (KYJ) and Ernakulam North(ERN). The Stoppages are more in this region and shows that the train is mainly meant for people residing in this region.
It runs at the average speed of 60 km/hr, Its maximum speed is 90 km / hr in Chennai - Katpadi - Salem - Erode - Palakkad - Thrissur Region. According to the recent updations it even touches 120 km / hr in Chennai - Katpadi - Salem and Erode - Palakkad - thrissur region.
This is one of the non Shatabdi / Rajdhani trains which does not have halt in Jolarpettai Junction. It also holds the record of being the fastest train in Chennai Coimbatore section along with the Chennai Coimbatore Shatabdi Express covering 495 km in 7 hours at a rate of 70 km/hr.
More News
Earlier this was connected by electric WAP-4 Engine and then now by WAP-7 Engine.. This is one of the few trains in Southern Railway with WAP-7 Engine. Prior to completion of electrification of Ernakulam Thiruvananthapuram line, there was no alternative but to run this train by two WDMs(From Erode Diesel Loco Shed). Reason for using two diesel locomotives was limited hauling capability of single WDM diesel locomotive to run this 24 coach train at 110 kmph. After electrification, single WAP4 electric locomotive was adequate and later to WAP-7. Thus there was straightway saving of one locomotive for Indian Railways. There was saving of time as well due to faster acceleration.
Coach composition
Thiruvananthapuram Mail is one of the very few trains in Kerala to have coaches of A/C first class. The train comprises 24 coaches - A/C First Class, A/C 2-Tier, A/C 3-tier, second class sleeper and general compartments.
All Stoppages
- Thiruvananthapuram Central
- Varkala Sivagiri
- Kollam Junction
- Kayamkulam
- Mavelikara
- Chengannur
- Tiruvalla
- Changanassery
- Kottayam
- Thrippunithara
- Ernakulam Town
- Aluva
- Angamali
- Thrissur
- Palakkad Junction
- Coimbatore Junction
- Erode Junction
- Salem Junction
- Katpadi Junction
- Avadi (only 12624 Trivandrum Chennai Mail stops here)
- Perambur (only 12624 Trivandrum Chennai Mail stops here)
- Chennai Central
In popular culture
- Cinema
No.20 Madras Mail which is a Malayalam movie released in 1990 has most of the scenes shot inside the moving Thiruvananthapuram Mail train.