Ananthapuri Express

The 20635 / 20636 Ananthapuri Express is an express train running between Kollam Junction and Chennai Egmore via Thiruvananthapuram Central, Tirunelveli Junction, Virudhunagar junction, Madurai Junction, Tiruchchirappalli Junction and Villupuram Junction through the trunk line and chord lines in southern India. It is a daily overnight Superfast Express service.

Ananthapuri Express

Overview
Service type	Superfast
Locale	Kerala & Tamil Nadu
First service	30 June 2002; 22 years ago (2002-06-30)
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway
Route
Termini	Chennai Egmore (MS) Kollam Junction (QLN)
Stops	26 Halts
Distance travelled	858 km (533 mi)
Average journey time	15 hours 30 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	20635 / 20636
On-board services
Class(es)	AC first, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Disabled access
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	On-Board Catering, E-Catering
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	ICF coach
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Operating speed	67 km/h (42 mph) average including halts.
Rake maintenance	Tiruchchirappalli Junction CDO
Rake sharing	16965/16866 Uzhavan Express.
Route map

History

The inauguration of this train was on 30 June 2002^[1] operating six days a week. Later in 2005 it was made daily train. In the beginning it ran between Chennai Egmore and Thiruvananthapuram Central. It was named Ananthapuri after the city Thiruvananthapuram. In 2017 railway budget, it was extended^[2] to Kollam with effect from 1 November 2017.^[3][4]

Coach composition

In total 23 coaches are there. It includes One AC First Class (H), AC 2 Tier (A), AC 3 Tier (B), Sleeper Class (SL), Unreserved general sitting coach (GS) and End on Generators (SLRD).

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23
	SLRD	GS	GS	S12	S11	S10	S9	S8	S7	S6	S5	S4	S3	S2	S1	B3	B2	B1	A2	A1	H1	GS	SLRD

The Ananthapuri Superfast Express between Chennai Egmore and Kollam has a rake sharing agreement (RSA) with Uzhavan Express (16865 / 16866) between Chennai and Thanjavur. The primary maintenanced by the four rakes of the express at Tiruchchirappalli (Trichy) coaching depot.^[5]

Incident

The engine of 16723 Express caught fire at Kollam Junction on 16 July 2018.^[6]

See also

• Quilon Mail
• Ernakulam–Velankanni Express
• Guruvayur Express
• Palaruvi Express
• Silambu Express
• Pandian Superfast Express
• Vaigai Superfast Express