Thirukkural Express

{{Short description|Train in India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2011}} {{Infobox rail service | color = 005000 | name = Thirukkural Express | logo = | image = Thirukkural Express.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = Thirukkural Express train board. | type = Superfast | locale = Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi | first = | last = | operator = Southern Railway | ridership = | start = {{stnlnk|Kanniyakumari}} (CAPE) | stops = 21 | end = {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} (NZM) | distance = {{convert|2919|km|0|abbr=on}} | journeytime = 46 hours 5 minutes | frequency = Bi-weekly | class = AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved | seating = Yes | sleeping = Yes | autorack = | catering = Available | observation = Large windows | entertainment = | baggage = Available | otherfacilities = Below the seats | stock = LHB coach | gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}} | el = | trainnumber = 12641 / 12642 | speed = {{convert|130|km/h|abbr=on}} maximum speed, <br/> {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on}} average including halts. | map = 250px | map_state = | maintenance = {{stnlnk|Nagercoil}} | sharing = }} The 12641 / 12642 '''Thirukkural Express''' is a superfast express train in India, running between Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu which is the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent, and {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} in New Delhi. From December 2020, it runs with newly manufactured LHB rakes.

It is currently a bi-weekly train covering a distance of {{convert|2919|km}}, making it one of the longest running superfast trains in the country. The train shares a common route and timetable with the Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dindigul in return and from Madurai to Hazrat Nizamuddin in upward.

==Origin of the name== Thirukkural is a book of verses on common ethics and morality written by Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The train was named after the book, with the statue of Thiruvalluvar installed at Kanniyakumari

==Timings== The 12641 Hazrat Nizzamuddin–Thirukkural Express departs Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Friday at 19:05 IST (07:05 PM) and reaches Hazrat Nizamuddin every Friday and Sunday 18:30 IST (06:30 PM). It takes 47 hours and 30 minutes to complete journey.<ref>{{Cite web|last=M|first=Yash|title=12641/Thirukkural SF Express (PT) - Kanniyakumari to Hazrat Nizamuddin SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-thirukkural-sf-express-12641/1627/1010/748|access-date=2021-05-24|website=India Rail Info}}</ref>

12642 Kanniyakumari–Thirukkural Express departs Hazrat Nizamuddin every Monday and Saturday at 05:20 IST (05:20 AM) and reaches Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Monday at 04:45 IST (04:45 AM). It takes 47 hours and 25 minutes to complete journey.<ref>{{Cite web|last=M|first=Yash|title=12642/Thirukkural SF Express (PT) - Hazrat Nizamuddin to Kanniyakumari SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-thirukkural-sf-express-12642/1628/748/1010|access-date=2021-05-24|website=India Rail Info}}</ref>

== Coaches == It consists of 22 LHB coach with the maximum speed of 130 kmph.

{| class="wikitable" |- !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:red;"| Loco !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:grey;"| 1 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 2 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:ligh;"| 3 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lime;" | 4 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lime;" | 5 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lime;" | 6 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 7 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 8 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 9 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 10 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 11 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:cyan;" | 12 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 13 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 14 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 15 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 16 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 17 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 18 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" | 19 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" | 20 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" | 21 ! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:grey;" | 22 |- |25px|| EOG || UR || 2AC¹ || 2AC² || 3AC¹ || 3AC² || 3AC³ || 3AC⁴ || SL¹ || SL² || SL³ || SL⁴ || PC || SL⁵|| SL⁶ || SL⁷ || SL⁸ || SL⁹ || SL¹⁰ || UR || UR || EOG |}

* Ac two tier - 2 coaches * Ac three tier - 4 coaches * Sleeper class - 10 coaches * (PC) - Pantry car - 1 * ( UR )Unreserved General Class Coach - 1 * 2 EOG * Loco- Locomotive

==Route== This train runs from Kanniyakumari via Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, {{stnlnk|Tiruchirappalli Junction}}, Vriddhachalam, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Tambaram, {{stnlnk|Chennai Egmore}}, {{stnlnk|Vijayawada Junction}}, Balharshah, {{stnlnk|Nagpur Junction}}, Betul, Itarsi, {{stnlnk|Bhopal Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Jhansi Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Agra Cantonment}} to Hazrat Nizamuddin.

==Traction== The Train is hauled by a Royapuram Loco Shed or Erode Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * http://www.indiarailinfo.com * http://www.indianrail.gov.in

{{Railways in Southern India}} {{Railways in Northern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thirukural Express}} Category:Transport in Kanyakumari Category:Transport in Delhi Category:Named passenger trains of India Category:Express trains in India Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu Category:Rail transport in Uttar Pradesh Category:Rail transport in Madhya Pradesh Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra Category:Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh Category:Rail transport in Delhi Category:Railway services introduced in 2002