Thirukkural Express

The 12641 / 12642 Thirukkural Express is a superfast express train in India, running between Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu which is the southernmost tip of the Indian Subcontinent, and Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. From December 2020, it runs with newly manufactured LHB rakes.

Thirukkural Express
Thirukkural Express train board.
Overview
Service type	Superfast
Locale	Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway
Route
Termini	Kanniyakumari (CAPE) Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Stops	21
Distance travelled	2,919 km (1,814 mi)
Average journey time	46 hours 5 minutes
Service frequency	Bi-weekly
Train number(s)	12641 / 12642
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph) maximum speed, 64 km/h (40 mph) average including halts.
Rake maintenance	Nagercoil
Route map

It is currently a bi-weekly train covering a distance of 2,919 kilometres (1,814 mi), making it one of the longest running superfast trains in the country. The train shares a common route and timetable with the Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dindigul in return and from Madurai to Hazrat Nizamuddin in upward.

Origin of the name

Thirukkural is a book of verses on common ethics and morality written by Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The train was named after the book, with the statue of Thiruvalluvar installed at Kanniyakumari

Timings

The 12641 Hazrat Nizzamuddin–Thirukkural Express departs Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Friday at 19:05 IST (07:05 PM) and reaches Hazrat Nizamuddin every Friday and Sunday 18:30 IST (06:30 PM). It takes 47 hours and 30 minutes to complete journey.^[1]

12642 Kanniyakumari–Thirukkural Express departs Hazrat Nizamuddin every Monday and Saturday at 05:20 IST (05:20 AM) and reaches Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Monday at 04:45 IST (04:45 AM). It takes 47 hours and 25 minutes to complete journey.^[2]

Coaches

It consists of 22 LHB coach with the maximum speed of 130 kmph.

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
	EOG	UR	2AC1	2AC2	3AC1	3AC2	3AC3	3AC4	SL1	SL2	SL3	SL4	PC	SL5	SL6	SL7	SL8	SL9	SL10	UR	UR	EOG

• Ac two tier - 2 coaches
• Ac three tier - 4 coaches
• Sleeper class - 10 coaches
• (PC) - Pantry car - 1
• ( UR )Unreserved General Class Coach - 1
• 2 EOG
• Loco- Locomotive

Route

This train runs from Kanniyakumari via Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli Junction, Vriddhachalam, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Tambaram, Chennai Egmore, Vijayawada Junction, Balharshah, Nagpur Junction, Betul, Itarsi, Bhopal Junction, Jhansi Junction, Agra Cantonment to Hazrat Nizamuddin.

Traction

The Train is hauled by a Royapuram Loco Shed or Erode Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.