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The 12687 / 12688 Madurai–Chandigarh Express is a Superfast Express train of Indian Railways – Southern Railway zone that runs between Madurai Junction in Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh Junction in Punjab and Haryana, India. The slip coaches to Dehradun was permanently discontinued with effect from July 11, 2021.

Madurai Junction- Chandigarh Junction Super Fast Express

Overview
Service type	Superfast express
First service	13 May 2013
Current operator(s)	Southern Railways
Route
Termini	Madurai Junction (MDU) Chandigarh Junction (CDG)
Stops	28
Distance travelled	3,073 km (1,909 mi)
Average journey time	53 hrs 15 mins as 12687 & 53 hrs 45 mins as 12688
Service frequency	Biweekly
Train number(s)	12687 / 12688
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Yes
Observation facilities	Large windows
Technical
Rolling stock	Standard ICF coaches
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	110 km/h (68 mph) maximum, 62 km/h (39 mph) average including halts
Route map

It operates as train number 12687 from Madurai Junction to Chandigarh Junction and as train number 12688 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

It previously ran only up to Chennai Central being recently extended to Madurai Junction. It carried slip coaches to Dehradun. But after July 11 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun was permanently discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh from Madurai Junction, with revised coach position.

History

It was first introduced as a Bi-Weekly Superfast Express between Chennai Central to Chandigarh and slip coaches to Dehradun as Chennai–Dehradun Link Express.

Later in 2014, it was extended up to Madurai Junction and ran as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh / Dehradun Link Superfast Express. After July 11, 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun was discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh without Dehradun Link Express coaches. Therefore, at present it runs as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh Bi-Weekly Superfast Express. Also it was diverted to run via, Perambur (Chennai), without touching Chennai Central since it has to take reversal done at Chennai Central. At present it takes reversal done only at Erode Junction, it bypasses Chennai Central by without taking reversal. The coach position was also changed. After July 21, 2021, it will not carry AC First Class. It runs with AC Two Tier, AC Three,pantry car,Sleeper class and General Unreserved.

Coaches

The 12687 / 88 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express presently has,

• 1 AC Two Tier,
• 3 AC Three Tier,
• 10 Sleeper class,
• 1 Pantry car,
• 4 General Unreserved,
• 2 SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake).

Service

The 22687 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express covers the distance of 3074 kilometres in 52 hours 15 mins (57.94 km/hr). It takes 53 hours 50 mins as 22688 Chandigarh–Madurai Express (57.17 km/hr).

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

Routeing

The 12687 / 88 Madurai–Chandigarh Express runs from Madurai Junction via Dindigul Junction, Karur Junction,Erode Junction, Salem Junction, Jolarpettai Junction,Katpadi Junction, Arakkonam Junction,Perambur, Vijayawada Junction, Warangal, Balharshah, Sewagram, Nagpur Junction, Itarsi Junction, Bhopal Junction, Gwalior Junction, Agra Cantonment, Faridabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Meerut City Jn. Saharanpur Junction Ambala Cantonment, Yamuna Nagar to Chandigarh.

Direction reversal

It reverses direction of travel once during its run at Erode Junction.

Traction

Two locomotives are assigned to haul this train during its journey. As the route is fully electrified, it is hauled by an Erode-based WAP-4 between Madurai Junction and Erode Junction, handing over to a Erode-based WAP-4 from Erode Junction to its destination Chandigarh, and vice versa.

References

• "Northern Railways / Indian Railways Portal". nr.indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
• "Madurai-Dehradun Express to run from May 15". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
• "RAIL NEWS CENTER: EXTENSION OF DEHRADUN / CHANDIGARH – CHENNAI CENTRAL WEEKLY EXPRESS TO MADURAI". railnewscenter.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
• "SR to increase frequency of Madurai-Dehradun/Chandigarh express". news.webindia123.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
• "Live Chennai: Madurai—Chandigarh Express rescheduled". livechennai.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.

External links

• Official website

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