Rockfort Express
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ROCKFORT EXPRESS
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| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express Train | ||||
| Status | Operating | ||||
| Locale | Tiruchirappalli | ||||
| First service | 1972[1] | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railway zone | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Tiruchirappalli Junction | ||||
| Stops | 14 | ||||
| End | Chennai Egmore | ||||
| Distance travelled | 336 km (209 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 7 hours | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily each way | ||||
| Train number(s) | 177/ 178 (later 6177/ 6178 and 6877/ 6878, now 16177/ 16178) | ||||
| Line used | Chord line | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | 1A, 2A, 3A, SL, SLR, SLRD and GS | ||||
| Disabled access |  |
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| Sleeping arrangements | Couchette car | ||||
| Catering facilities | No | ||||
| Entertainment facilities | No | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks Baggage carriage |
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| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | WAP4 (RPM/ED) One 1 AC One 1 AC-cum AC 2-tier Two AC 2-tier Four AC 3-tier Eleven II SL Three UR/GS One SLR One SLRD |
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| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Electrification | 25 kV AC, 50 Hz | ||||
| Operating speed | 48 km/hr | ||||
| Track owner(s) | Southern Railway zone | ||||
| Timetable number(s) | 21/21A[2] | ||||
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The Rockfort Express is a overnight Express rail connecting Trichy with Chennai Egmore via Villupuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the Prestigious express of Southern Railway.
Contents
Background and Relevance
The eponymous train is named after the famous 12th-century fortress Rockfort temple in the heart of Tiruchirapalli. The train originally ran between Madras Egmore and Tiruchirappalli Junction on the 'Chord Line'. Later, when the 'Main Line' was closed for operations to facilitate gauge conversion projects, a part of this train was extended to Thanjavur Junction as Rockfort Link Express (6177A/ 6178A). It was further extended to Kumbakonam during the Mahamaham festival. The extended run was truncated effective September 2013. The entire formation now runs up to Tiruchirappalli Junction.
This train originally had a signal-green livery, with a yellow stripe along the upper and lower part of windows. It later was changed to the standard VB Maroon-livery when it was run on the MG. The BG version of the train has the standard AB Blue livery.
Rakes
Rockfort Express is one of the very few trains in the Indian Railways to have coaches of six classes. There were 24 coaches including an AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, First class, AC 3-tier, Sleeper Class and General Sitting compartments. First Class coaches were removed in 2014. The train usually runs to full capacity.[lower-alpha 1]
| Loco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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SLR | GS | UR | S11 | S10 | S9 | S8 | S7 | S6 | S5 | S4 | S3 | S2 | S1 | B4 | B3 | B2 | B1 | A2 | A1 | HA1 | H1 | GS | SLR |
Coaches have RSA with Pandian Express.
Schedule
The train numbered 16178 departs from Trichy Junction at 22:25 Hours and arrives Viluppuram Junction by 01:53 Hours and reaches Chennai Egmore at 05:15 Hours the next day. The pairing train numbered 16177 starts at 22:30 Hours from Chennai Egmore and arrives Viluppuram Junction by 01:05 and reaches Trichy Junction at 05:30 hours the next day.[lower-alpha 2]
Maintenance
The coaches are maintained at SSE/C&W/MDU.
See also
- Cholan Express
- Pallavan Express
- Tiruchirappalli – Tirunelveli Intercity Express
- Vaigai Express
- Pandian Express
- Mayura Express (Unreserved) Tiruchirappalli-Mayiladuthurai Express
- Vascodagama Express
Notes
- ↑ The coach composition is subject to change.
- ↑ The timings are in Indian Standard Time.
