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Gurudev Express

Gurudev Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast Express
First service1 July 2001; 24 years ago (2001-07-01)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway
Route
TerminiNagercoil (NCJ)
Kolkata Shalimar (SHM)
Stops41
Distance travelled2,585 km (1,606 mi)
Average journey time44 hours 45 minutes
Service frequencyWeekly
Train number(s)12659 / 12660
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesOn-board catering,
E-catering
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesNo
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed57.76 km/h (36 mph) average including halts.
Route map

The 12659 / 12660 Gurudev Superfast Express is a Superfast express train belonging to the Indian Railways southern zone that runs between Nagercoil Junction and Shalimar in India.[1]

It operates as train number 12659 from Nagercoil Junction to Shalimar and as train number 12660 in the reverse direction serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Background

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The Gurudev Express is a joint tribute to Rabindranath Tagore and saint Sree Narayana Guru. during introduction in 2001, it was numbered 6357/6358 with a different timetable, covering 2,585 km (1,606 mi) in 46 hours 15 mins at speed of 56 km/h (35 mph)

Coaches

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The 12659 / 60 Gurudev Express has one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 13 sleeper class, three general unreserved and two SLR (seating with luggage rake) coaches and two high capacity parcel van coaches. It does not carry a pantry car coach.[2]

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.[3]

Current Service

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The 12659 Nagercoil Junction - Shalimar Gurudev Express covers the distance of 2,585 km (1,606 mi) in 44 hours 30 mins at 58.075 km/h (36 mph) speed and in 45 hours 00 mins as the 12660 Shalimar - Nagercoil Junction at 57 km/h (35 mph) speed.

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per railway rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.[4]

Routing

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The 12659 / 60 runs from Nagercoil Junction via Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam Junction, Kayankulam Junction, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Palakkad Junction, Coimbatore Junction, Erode Junction, Salem Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Katpadi Junction, Tirupati, Renigunta Junction, Gudur Junction, Nellore, Ongole, Vijayawada Junction, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Samalkot Junction, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram Junction, Brahmapur, Khurda Road Junction, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack Junction, Bhadrak, Balasore, Kharagpur Junction, Santragachi Junction to Shalimar.[5]

Direction Reversal

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The train reverses its direction once at;

Traction

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As the route is fully electrified, an Erode Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive powers the train up to Visakhapatnam. Later, a Santragachi Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive takes the reversed direction and pulls the train to its destination.

Rake composition

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  • 1 AC II Tier
  • 2 AC III Tier
  • 12 Sleeper Coaches
  • 3 General
  • 2 moter Cum Parcel van
  • 2 General can luggage
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
VP GRD VP GEN S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 B1 B2 A1 GEN GEN GRD

References

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  1. ^ untitled; South Central Railway; 13 October 2014
  2. ^ [1], thehindu.com, 5 July 2017
  3. ^ Sleeper Coaches Added to Trains; 24 August 2016; thehindu.com; retrieved July 2017
  4. ^ no title given; 24 August 2016; Southern Railways website
  5. ^ Gurudev Express Derails; 12 June 2007; thehindu.com; retrieved July 2017
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