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 in New Delhi. From December 2020, it runs with newly manufactured LHB rakes.
It is currently a bi-weekly train covering a distance of , 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.
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.
Coaches It consists of 22 LHB coach with the maximum speed of 130 kmph.
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 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, , Vriddhachalam, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Tambaram, , , Balharshah, , Betul, Itarsi, , , 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
External links http://www.indiarailinfo.com http://www.indianrail.gov.in