Seshadri Express
 Seshadri Express with WAP4 Loco | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| First service | December 24, 2002 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | South Central Railway | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Kakinada | ||||
| End | Bangalore | ||||
| Distance travelled | 959 km (596 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 19 hours | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number(s) | 17209 / 17210 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Observation facilities | Standard Indian Railway coaches | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | 2 | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) | ||||
| |||||
The Seshadri Express is a train in India, named after the Seshadri Hills, where Tirupati is located. This train earlier ran between Andhra Pradesh's coastal city of Kakinada to Tirupati. This was later extended to Bangalore in 2005.
Route
This train runs via Bangarpet, Kuppam, Jolarpettai, Vaniyambadi, Katpadi, Chittoor, Tirupati, Gudur, Nellore, Vijayawada, Gudiwada, Bhimavaram Town, Nidadavole and Rajahmundry to Kakinada.
The Seshadri Express runs between Kakinada and the software capital of India, Bangalore, via Tirupati. It is currently being operated with 17209 / 17210 train numbers. It is one of the busiest trains, running with 20 coaches at full capacity at all times. It has 6 AC, 9 Sleeper, 3 second-class general compartments, and 2 luggage cum brake vans. The Seshadri train is considered to be one of the best way to commute to the capital of Karnataka and the most famous pilgrimage center of Tirupati from Godavari districts. Though Indian trains are notorious for making terrible time, the Seshadri Express is one of the few which are known for being punctual. It was started in 2002. Prior to the Seshadri, a link express from Kakinada, which consisted of 12 compartments, was connected to the Tirumala Express which runs from Vizag to Samalkota Junction. The amalgamated train then traveled and terminated at Tirupati. Keeping in mind the growing demand for a new train to the pilgrim centre, the government introduced the Seshadri in 2002 and extended it up to Bangalore. The train thus runs through the loop path of Nidadavolu, Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Gudivada, and Vijayawada to cater to the needs of Godavari and Krishna Dists.
Timings
- Train 17210[1] departs Kakinada Town at 17:30 to reach Tirupati at 5:30 am and Bangalore at 12:30 pm the next day.
- In return, Train No. 17209,[2] Bangalore City – Kakinada Town Seshadri Express, has been revised with effect from 21 March 2014, and leaves Bangalore 11:00 am, instead of 1:20 pm, to reach Tirupati at 6:30 pm and Kakinada Town at 6:30 am the next day.
Hence, this train acts as a night express between Godavari district places and the pilgrimage centre of Tirupati, and also as an Intercity express between Tirupati and Bangalore.