Howrah–Chennai Mail
{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{unreferenced|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Howrah–Chennai Mail
| image =
| caption =
| type = Mail
| locale = West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
| first = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1900|08|15}}
| last =
| operator = South Eastern Railway zone
| ridership =
| start = Howrah Junction
| stops =
| end = Chennai Central
| distance = {{convert|1664|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 27 hours Approx.
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC First, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = Yes
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment =
| baggage = Yes
| otherfacilities =
| stock = LHB coach
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}}
| el =
| trainnumber = 12839 / 12840
| speed = {{convert|59|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average with halts
| map = File:(Howrah - Chennai) Mail Express Route map.jpg
| map_state =
}}
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 {{convert|1664|km|0|abbr=on}} at an average speed of {{convert|59|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
Rakes
- 1 AC First Class (H1)
- 2 AC Two Tier (2A, A1-2)
- 8 AC Three Tier (3A, B1-8)
- 3 AC Three Tier Economy (3E, M1-2)
- 3 Sleeper class (S1-3)
- 1 Pantry car (PC)
- 2 General Unreserved (GS)
- 1 End on Generation car (EOG)
- 1 Sitting luggage cum brake van (SLR)
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20px | SLR | H1 | A1 | A2 | M1 | M2 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B6 | B7 | B8 | PC | S1 | S2 | S3 | GS | GS | EOG |
Route
Important stations through which it passes are {{stnlnk|Kharagpur Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Balasore}}, {{stnlnk|Cuttack Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Bhubaneswar}}, {{stnlnk|Khurda Road Junction}}, Berhampur, {{stnlnk|Naupada}}, Srikakulam Road railway station ,
{{stnlnk|Vizianagaram Jn}}, {{stnlnk|Visakhapatnam}}, {{stnlnk|Samalkot Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Rajahmundry}}, {{stnlnk|Eluru}}, {{stnlnk|Vijayawada Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Tenali Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Nellore}}, {{stnlnk|Gudur Junction}}.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howrah-Chennai Mail}}
Category:Express trains in India
Category:Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh
Category:Rail transport in Odisha
Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu
Category:Railway services introduced in 1900
Category:Rail transport in Howrah
{{India-express-train-stub}}