Venad Express

Venad Express
Overview
Current operator(s)	Indian Railway
Route
Start	Shoranur
Stops	27
End	Trivandrum Central
Distance travelled	327 km (203 mi)
Average journey time	7 hours 50 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	16301 / 16302
On-board services
Class(es)	AC Chair Car, First Class, Second Sitting
Seating arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Yes
Observation facilities	Large windows
Technical
Rolling stock	7
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Route map

The Venad Express (Malayalam: വേണാട് എക്സ്പ്രസ്സ്‌) is a train which goes from Shoranur to Trivandrum viaKottayam. The train covers 327 km in 7 hours 50 minutes. It is numbered 16301 (south bound, from Shoranur to Trivandrum) and 16302 (from Trivandrum to Shoranur).

History

Venad Express was introduced in 1976 by Southern Railways. Initially the service was between Ernakulam to Trivandrum Central.The train from Trivandrum Central started at 5.30 am and reached Ernakulam Junction by 9.30 am. On the return direction the train leaves Ernakulam Junction at 17:15 pm and reached Trivandrum Central by 21:30 pm. The train had a Green livery initially. The train was later extended to Shoranur after some years and timings were also revised. Venad is one of the oldest daily Intercity trains in Kerala and one of the most popular trains to travel between Trivandrum, the state capital and Ernakulam (Kochi), the most cosmopolitan city in the state.

Name of Train

The name Venad came from an old dynasty Venad Swarupam that ruled over Quilon and Thiruvananthapuram.

About Venad Express

Venad Express links the major railway stations in Kerala including Trissur, Alwaye, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Chengannur,Kayamkulam, Kollam with Trivandrum. It is a daytime Intercity service, departing from Trivandrum Central Station daily at 5:00 AM and arriving at Shoranur Junction station at 12:45 PM. It undergoes a direction reversal at Ernakulam Junction station. While returning, it departs Shoranur Junction station at 14:20 PM and arrives at Trivandrum Central Station at 22:10 PM.

It is a very popular commuter train, used by daily office-goers. The train is generally fully booked, even during holidays.

Coach composition

Advance reservation is available only in two compartments. Seats in one coach of AC Chair Car and Second Class Seat (Chair Car) compartment can be booked using advance reservation. Venad Express also has a First Class Coach. Other coaches can be boarded with an unreserved ticket. Pantry Car facility is available in Venad Express. In 1980s Indian Railways introduced double-decker coaches in Venad Express. But railways later withdrew the double decker compartments due to operational issues.

Schedule between Trivandrum and Shoranur for Train Number 16302

Schedule between Shoranur and Trivandrum for Train Number 16301

See also

• Rail transport in India
• Vanchinad Express