Howrah–Chennai Mail Explained

Howrah–Chennai Mail
Type:Mail
Locale:West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Operator:South Eastern Railway zone
Start:Howrah Junction
End:Chennai Central
Distance:1664km (1,034miles)
Journeytime:27 hours Approx.
Frequency:Daily
Class:AC First, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating:Yes
Sleeping:Yes
Catering:Yes
Observation:Large windows
Baggage:Yes
Stock:LHB coach
Trainnumber:12839 / 12840
Speed:59km/h average with halts

The 12839 / 12840 Howrah-Chennai Mail is a mail train of Indian Railways connecting Howrah Junction and Chennai Central. It connects three metropolitan cities of India, Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. It also runs via some major cities of India like Bhubaneswar, Vijayawada, etc.

The second-most preferred train to the south after Coromandel Express'.

History

The train made its inaugural run on August 15, 1900, which makes it one of the oldest running trains on Indian railways. It was first hauled by steam engines, including the WP class engines, then by diesel, and now by electric WAP-4 or WAP-7 locomotives. It was the first passenger train to be dieselized on the South Eastern Railway in 1964–65. Till the introduction of the Coromandel Express in the mid-seventies, it was the main and fastest train link between Howrah and Chennai (then Madras), with much fewer halts. Presently, this train is the second most important train on the Howrah–Chennai main line after the high speed Coromandel Express. It covers 1664km (1,034miles) at an average speed of 59km/h

Rakes

Route

Important stations through which it passes are,,,,, Berhampur,, Srikakulam Road railway station,,,,,,,, .