| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast | ||||
| First service | 7 August 1976 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railways | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | MGR Chennai Central (MAS) New Delhi (NDLS) | ||||
| Stops | 10 | ||||
| Distance travelled | 2,182 km (1,356 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 33 hours (Approx.) | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number(s) | 12621 / 12622 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC 3 Tier Economy, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | Yes | ||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows | ||||
| Other facilities | Below the seats | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB coach | ||||
| Track gauge | Broad Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) average including halts | ||||
| |||||
The 12621 / 12622 Tamil Nadu Express is a daily superfast train of the Indian Railways.
It is the fastest non AC train between New Delhi and Chennai covering the distance in 33 hours.
It only stops at Agra, Gwalior, Jhansi, Bhopal, Itarsi, Nagpur, Balharshah, Warangal, Khammam (since 09.10.2023) and Vijayawada.
It has the non stop continuous run between Vijayawada and Chennai Central of 431 km.
It is hauled by a WAP-7 from Royapuram shed end to end since the whole route is electrified.
Tamil Nadu Express has traditionally been accident-prone, with many accidents occurring due to its speed. The top speed of the train was reduced after series of derailments and after major derailment of 14 coaches on 31 August 1981 at Asifabad Road Station in Telangana, in which 15 persons were killed and 39 injured.[1] The following table enlists the accidents that happened on Tamil Nadu Express.
| Year | Location | Cause of Accident | Casualties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Vijayawada | Derailment | none |
| 1978 | Nagpur-Itarsi section | Derailment | none |
| 1981 | Asifabad Road Station | Derailment | 15 killed 39 injured |
| 1983 | Kazipet | Derailment | none |
| 1984 | Vijayawada | Derailment | none |
| 1984 | Delhi | Fire in one of the coaches |
Two coaches partially damaged |
| 1986 | Agra-Gwalior Section | Fire in one of the first class coaches |
3 injured |
| 1987 | Amla-Nagpur | Derailment of 13 coaches |
2 killed 30 injured |
| 1990 | Mathura | Collision with an empty train |
none |
| 2012 | Nellore | Fire in S11 coach | 32 killed 27 injured |
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