{{Italic title}}{{Short description|Train in India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox rail service | color = D24E01 | name = Marusagar Express | logo = Ministry of Railways India.svg | image = | type = Superfast | status = Active | locale = Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan | first = {{start date and age|2004|9|4|df=yes}} | operator = North Western Railway | start = {{stnlnk|Ernakulam Junction}} (ERS) | stops = 33 | end = {{stnlnk|Ajmer Junction}} (AII) | distance = {{convert|2554|km|0|abbr=on}} | journeytime = 43h 0m | frequency = Weekly | trainnumber = 12977 / 12978 | class = AC 1 tier, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, AC 3 tier Economy, Sleeper class, General Unreserved | seating = Yes | sleeping = Yes | autorack = | catering = Available | observation = Large windows | baggage = No | otherfacilities = Below the seats | stock = LHB coach | gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|al=on|allk=on}} | speed = {{convert|59|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts. | map = File:Marusagar Express (Ajmer - Ernakulam) Route map.jpg }}
The 12977 / 12978 '''Marusagar Express''' is an Superfast Express train belonging to North Western Railway zone that runs between Ernakulam Junction and Ajmer Junction in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Konkan Railway launches new timetable; new timings effective from October 21 |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/travel-news/2025/10/09/konkan-railway-launches-new-timetable.html |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=onmanorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Maru Sagar Express attack shows Railways yet to improve safety measures in Kerala trains, stations {{!}} Mathrubhumi English |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/amp/news/kerala/maru-sagar-express-attack-shows-railways-yet-to-improve-safety-measures-in-kerala-trains-stations-584af1b0 |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>
==History== The service of this train was proposed in year 1999 rail budget from Indore Junction railway station of Indore, Madhya Pradesh as '''Indore–Mangalore Weekly Express''' but due to non-availability of the rake and traction and delay in the service at Mangalore, the erstwhile '''Indore–Chennai Ahilyanagari Express''' got extended to Cochin & Trivandrum Central via Ernakulam. A weekly train was also started from Indore Junction to Kochuveli via Mangalore. Later after several demands the train was started on 4 September 2002 from {{stnlnk|Ratlam Junction}}, Madhya Pradesh to Mangalore Junction as 'Ratlam–Mangalore Superfast Express' with 10 AC coaches, 10 Sleeper, 2 General and 2 SLR coaches. Since, Ratlam was an intermediate station for Jaipur and Vadodara respectively and to avoid the changes made in the route of Ratlam–Mangalore Express, Later in year 2003 it got extended to Jaipur on one side and to Ernakulam on other side. From 2009 September onwards, the service of this train was extended up to Ajmer Junction. It is the fourth fastest train of North Western Railways after 12973/12974 Indore–Jaipur Express, 12181/12182 Jaipur–Jabalpur Super Fast Express & 12465/12466 Jodhpur–Indore Intercity Express. This train is in the "Superfast" category, and so has more importance than normal passenger and express train.
==Origin of name== The word "MaruSagar" essentially means "Desert-Ocean". The word "Maru" refers to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and the word "Sagar" refers to the ocean (the Arabian Sea). Thus, the train connects the desert state of Rajasthan to the Arabian Sea coast in the West. It travels from Ajmer in Rajasthan to Kochi, in Kerala, passing through the towns of Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Kota, Nagda, Ratlam Junction, Vadodara, Panvel, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Goa, Mangalore, Kasaragod, {{stnlnk|Kannur}}, Kozhikode, {{stnlnk|Tirur}}, {{stnlnk|Shoranur Junction}} and {{stnlnk|Thrissur}} on the way. After Vadodara, the train travels along the western coast of India beside the Arabian Sea.
==Train details== *12978 DN Ajmer -> Ernakulam (Friday) *12977 UP Ernakulam -> Ajmer (Sunday)
==Train composition==
LOCO-SLR-GS-GS-S1-S2-S3-S4-S5-S6-S7-S8-S9-S10-PC-B5-B4-B3-B2-B1-A1-HB1-GS-GS-SLR;
==Loco link== earlier was WDP-4. The train runs hauls by A Erode Wap 7 & Ghaziabad Wap 5 on its entire journey.
==See also== Trains from Ernakulam Junction :
# Ernakulam–H.Nizamuddin Duronto Express # Pune–Ernakulam Express # Tea Garden Express # Ernakulam–Patna Superfast Express # Ernakulam–Okha Express
Trains from Ajmer Junction :
# Ajmer–Delhi Sarai Rohilla Jan Shatabdi Express # Ajmer–Chandigarh Garib Rath Express # Ajmer–Sealdah Express # Bhagalpur–Ajmer Express # Pooja Superfast Express
== Notes == a. Runs a day in a week with both directions.
== References == {{reflist}} {{Railways in Southern India}} {{Railways in Northern India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marusagar Express}} Category:Transport in Ajmer Category:Transport in Kochi Category:Railway services introduced in 2001 Category:Named passenger trains of India Category:Rail transport in Kerala Category:Express trains in India Category:Rail transport in Goa Category:Rail transport in Madhya Pradesh Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra Category:Rail transport in Rajasthan Category:Rail transport in Gujarat