Dakshin Express

{{Infobox rail service

| color = 0000BB

| name = Dakshin Express

| image = Ministry of Railways India.svg

| caption =

| type = Superfast

| locale = Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, & Delhi

| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|1968|01|01}}

| last =

| operator = South Central Railway

| ridership =

| start = {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} (HYB)

| stops = 46

| end = {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} (NZM)

| distance = {{convert|1673|km|0|abbr=on}}

| journeytime = 28 hours 45 minutes

| frequency = Daily

| class = AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved

| seating = Yes

| sleeping = Yes

| autorack =

| catering = Available

| observation = Large windows

| entertainment =

| baggage = Available

| otherfacilities = Below the seats

| stock = LHB coach

| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}}

| el =

| trainnumber = 12721 / 12722

| speed = {{convert|130|km/h|0|abbr=on}} maximum,
{{convert|58|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts.

| map = 250px

| map_state =

}}

The 12721 / 12722 Dakshin Express is an superfast express train belonging to Indian Railways that runs between {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} and {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} in India. It is a daily service. It operates as train number 12721 from Hyderabad Deccan to Hazrat Nizamuddin and as train number 12722 in the reverse direction. Prior to introduction of Andhra Pradesh Express between New Delhi & Visakhapatnam in 2015, Dakshin Express used to have a link train to Visakhapatnam from Kazipet as 12861/12862 Link Express. But now Dakshin Express runs dedicatedly between {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} & {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}}

History

Dakshin Express started its first run 57 years ago on 01/01/1968 numbered as 721 Up/722 Down New Delhi & {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}}. In 1985, the train was shifted to {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} & Link service numbered as 861/862 to Visakhapatnam from Kazipet was started. It was a Mail Express train that time until 2009.

Timings in 1985-2009 period was:- 721 UP(Later 7021 UP) Dakshin Express used to leave {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} at 21.30 hrs IST & reach {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} on 3rd day at 05.15 hrs IST running at {{convert|53|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. Return timings was:- 722 DN(Later 7022 DN) Dakshin Express used to leave {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} at 21.50 IST & reach {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} on 3rd day at 05.35 hrs IST running at {{convert|53|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. Link service to Visakhapatnam timing was:- 861 UP(Later 8561 UP) used to leave Visakhapatnam at 14.15 hrs IST reaching Kazipet at 00.25 hrs IST, departing at 00.50 IST after getting amalgamated with Dakshin Express. Return timings was:- Dakshin Express used to arrive Kazipet at 02.15 hrs IST for 25 mins stop. After bifurcation the 862 DN(later 8562 DN) Link express used to depart Kazipet at 02.40 hrs & arrive Visakhapatnam at 12.50 hrs IST. In 2010, Dakshin Express was renumbered 12721/12722 & Visakhapatnam Link Express was renumbered as 12861/62. Timings were speeded up with 12722 Dakshin Express departing {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} at 23.00 hrs IST, reaching {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} on 3rd day at 05.00 hrs IST & 12862 Link Express reaching Visakhapatnam on 3rd day 12.30 hrs IST. Return timings were also speeded up with 12721 departing {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} at 22.30 hrs IST & 12861 Link Express departing Visakhapatnam at 15.00 hrs IST, both reaching {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} at 04.30 hrs on 3rd day. 12861/12862 was permanently made into Visakhapatnam - {{stnlnk|Kacheguda}} Express in 2015 after Andhra Pradesh Express was introduced between Visakhapatnam & New Delhi & extended to {{stnlnk|Mahbubnagar}} from 2021 onwards.

Coaches

The 12721/2722 Dakshin Express presently has 1 AC 1st Class, 2 AC 2 tier, 6 AC 3 tier, 9 Sleeper class, 2 General Unreserved coaches & a Pantry car coach & 2 HCP (High Capacity Parcel) coaches. This Train has latest LHB coaches. This train consists of total 24 LHB coaches with 1 EOG (End of Generator) & 1 SLR (Sleeper cum Luggage Rake).

Current Service

The 12721/12722 Dakshin Express covers the distance of 1673 kilometers in 28 hours 45 mins running at {{convert|58|km/h|0|abbr=on}} speed.

As its average speed in both directions is above {{convert|55|km/h|0|abbr=on}} as per Indian Railways rules, its fare has a Superfast surcharge.

Traction

It is hauled by a Lallaguda Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.

Current Timetable

12721 Dakshin Express leaves {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} every day at 23:00 hrs IST and reaches {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} at 03:45 hrs IST on the 3rd day.{{cite web|url=http://etrain.info/in?TRAIN=12721|title=Train Schedule of Dakshin Express (12721)|publisher=etrain.info|accessdate=2015-01-30}}
12722 Dakshin Express leaves {{stnlnk|Hazrat Nizamuddin}} every day at 22:55 hrs IST and reaches {{stnlnk|Hyderabad Deccan}} at 03:40 hrs IST on the 3rd day.{{cite web|url=http://etrain.info/in?TRAIN=12722|title=Train Schedule of Dakshin Express (12722)|publisher=etrain.info|accessdate=2015-01-30}}

Route & halts

It runs from Hyderabad Deccan via {{stnlnk|Secunderabad Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Kazipet Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Peddapalli Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Ramagundam}}, {{stnlnk|Sirpur Kaghaznagar}}, {{stnlnk|Balharshah Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Sevagram Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Nagpur Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Betul}}, {{stnlnk|Itarsi Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Hoshangabad}}, {{stnlnk|Bhopal Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Jhansi Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Gwalior Junction}},

{{stnlnk|Morena}},

{{stnlnk|Agra Cantonment}}, {{stnlnk|Mathura Junction}} to Hazrat Nizamuddin.