Karnataka Express

Karnataka Express
Overview
Service type	Superfast
Status	Operating
Predecessor	Southern Railways
Current operator(s)	South Western Railway
Route
Start	New Delhi (NDLS)
Stops	31
End	Bangalore City (SBC)
Distance travelled	2407 km
Average journey time	40 hrs 25 mins
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	12627 /12628
On-board services
Class(es)	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Available
Sleeping arrangements	Available
Catering facilities	Available (Paid)
Baggage facilities	Available
Technical
Track gauge	Broad Gauge
Operating speed	Maximum - 88.2 kh/hr, Average - 62.7 km/hr
Route map

The Karnataka Express ( Kannada: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ್ ಎಕ್ಸ್ಪ್ರೆಸ್, Hindi : कर्नाटक एक्सप्रेस) is a daily Superfast train that runs between the Indian Capital New Delhi and Bangalore City, the Capital of Karnataka. It is one of the most wanted trains, joining New Delhi to South India. It is also one of the most regular and punctual trains in India.

History

The Karnataka Express has a colourful history. This train was introduced as a bi-weekly for initial years, and then existed as a tri-weekly train for some later years. The Karnataka Express ran merged with the present Kerala Express up to Jolarpettai and was popular as KK. It ran via Bhopal, Nagpur, Vijaywada and Jolarpettai. In the remaining two days of the week, it was merged with the Andhra Pradesh Express. In 1987 this train was bifurcated from the Kerala Express. Karnataka Express then ran via Guntakal, Secunderabad. Later it was diverted via Wadi, Daund, Manmad, Bhusaval, Itarsi and Bhopal; which is its current route.

Name and Nomenclature

The number alloted for New Delhi - Bangalore City (down) train is 12628 and 12627 is for the return (up) train. The train has been given the name 'Karnataka' as it connects the Capital of Karnataka to New Delhi. The nomenclature is same as that of the Andhra Pradesh Express, Tamil Nadu Express, Goa Express and the Kerala Express.

Timetable

The Up train heading towards New Delhi leaves Bangalore City every day at 19:20 hrs and reaches New Delhi at 10:40 hrs the third day. The Down train leaves New Delhi at 21:15 hrs and arrives at Bangalore City on the third day at 13:40 hrs.^[1]

Route and Halts

The train passes through the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan (a small portion while passing Dhaulpur), Haryana and Delhi. Thus, after leaving New Delhi, the train halts at Mathura, Agra Cantt, Gwalior, Jhansi, Bina, Bhopal, Itarsi, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Manmad, Kopargaon, Belapur, Ahmednagar, Daund, Kurduwadi, Solapur, Gulbarga, Wadi, Raichur, Manthralayam Road, Adoni, Guntakal, Gooty, Anantpur, Dharmavaram, Sri Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam, Hindupur, Yelahanka, Bangalore Cantt and finally terminates at Bangalore City. Unlike the New Delhi - Manmad section, the train runs comparatively slower in the Manmad - Bangalore section, due to lack of double lines and electrification. From New Delhi to Manmad Jn, the train runs on Electric Loco, and from Manmad to Bangalore city it runs on two Diesel Locos.

Accidents

This train met with an accident in 1991 in the Makalidurga Ghats at about 50 km (31 mi) from Bangalore on a rainy evening, killing 30 people.^[4] Now a hard wall has been put for protection so that accident doesn't happen at all.

Future Prospects

Rapid doubling and electrification of the Daund - Manmad section and doubling of Daund - Solapur - Wadi - Guntakal - Krishnarajapuram section has been taken up by the Indian Railways. With the completion of the these projects, the train is expected to run faster between Bangalore - Manmad section, thereby improving the rail connectivity between New Delhi and Bangalore.

See also

• Andhra Pradesh Express
• Tamil Nadu Express
• Kerala Express
• Vivek Express

References

• Times of India (2003). "Chronology of major rail accidents," accessed February 17, 2012.

External links

• http://indianrail.gov.in