Venad Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
Current operator(s)Indian Railways
Route
TerminiShoranur
Trivandrum Central
Stops29
Distance travelled327 km (203 mi)
Average journey time7 hours 50 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)16301 / 16302
On-board services
Class(es)AC Chair Car, Second Sitting, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesYes
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Route map

The Venad Express is an Express train connecting Shoranur Junction and Trivandrum Central via Kottayam.[1] The daily train's numbers are 16301 (from Shoranur Junction to Trivandrum Central)[2] and 16302 (from Trivandrum Central to Shoranur Junction).[3]

History

The Venad Express is one of the oldest daily intercity trains in Kerala, and one of the most popular trains between Trivandrum (the state capital) and Ernakulam (Kochi). The Express was introduced in 1972 by Southern Railways.[4] It travelled the 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge track between Trivandrum Central and Ernakulam. At that time, diesel engines were used to power the train, which initially had a green livery.[5] In 1976, Indian Railways converted the tracks to broad gauge.[6]

In the 1980s, Indian Railways introduced double-decker coaches for the train. The company later withdrew the double-decker compartments due to operational issues. The Venad Express was the fastest train of that time. Before its route extension, the train left Trivandrum Central at 06:00 and reached Ernakulam Junction at 09:00. On the return trip, it left Ernakulam Junction/Cochin Harbour Terminus at 05:15 and reached Trivandrum Central by 09:30. Its rake was changed twice, first with a unique grey livery CBC rake which no other train in SR possessed. It was withdrawn from service after Venad got blue LHB coach. The train undergoes a locomotive reversal at Ernakulam Junction railway station.

Currently, the railways are planning to remove the stop at Ernakulam Junction. Instead, a longer halt was to be provided at Ernakulam Town. The train used to be hauled with diesel locomotives from Ernakulam locomotive shed. The diesel link was removed and it now runs with a WAP7 from Royapuram Shed.

Name

The name Venad comes from the dynasty of Venad Swarupam, which ruled over Quilon (Kollam). The Trivandrum Division of Southern Railway Zone set a precedent on International Women's Day, March 8, 2020, when it ran the Venad Express with an all-female crew[7] from Ernakulam Junction to Shoranur Junction. This was the first time in Kerala's history that an express train was operated by an all-female crew.[8]

Frequency

This Venad Express runs daily. Train number 16301 departs Shoranur Junction at 14:35 and reaches Trivandrum Central at 22:25. Train number 16302 departs from Trivandrum Central at 05:25 and reaches Shoranur Junction at 12:50.[9] It covers a distance of 327 kilometers (203 mi.) in each direction, and takes 7 hours and 50 minutes to go from end to end.

The Venad Express links major commercial hubs within Kerala, including Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Tiruvalla(Thiruvalla),Chengannur, Kayamkulam, Kollam, Varkala, and Kochuveli with Trivandrum.

Coach composition

The train's rake contains 16 unreserved coaches, 2 reserved coaches, an AC chair car coach, a pantry car and 2 EOG (End on Generation) coach cars for a total of 22 coaches. The train was allotted LHB coach starting in November 2019.[10]

Advance reservation is available only in three compartments. Seats can be reserved through the IRCTC website or from the railway station. Other coaches can be boarded with an unreserved ticket.

Rake/Coach composition

LOCO EOG UR UR UR UR UR UR UR UR UR UR UR UR D2 D1 C1 PC UR UR UR UR EOG

EOG – End on Generator

UR – Unreserved

D – Second Sitting

C – AC Chair Car

PC – Pantry Car

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Venad Express (16302) – Train from Trivandrum Central to Shoranur Junction |Cleartrip". www.cleartrip.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Book cab, bus, train tickets and food at best deals with RailYatri app". www.railyatri.in. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. ↑ Shandilya, Tushar. "16302/Venad Express – Kottayam to Shoranur SR/Southern Zone – Railway Enquiry". India Rail Info. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Running train status of Venad Express | 16301 – Track & Spot your Train – TravelKhana.Com". www.travelkhana.com. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Intercities in Kerala - History and degradation [2004-02-29] by Jimmy Jose — IRFCA.org". IRFCA. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Jose, Jimmy (28 November 2005). "Quilon". IRFCA. Diesel Era In Quilon.
  7. ↑ "All-women crew operates train | Kochi News-Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  8. ↑ Special Correspondent, The Hindu Newspaper (9 March 2020). "Venad Express operates with all-women crew". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Venad Express/16302 Time Table/Schedule: Trivandrum to Shoranur SR/Southern Zone – Railway Enquiry". India Rail Info. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  10. ↑ "(16301) Venad Express Train Schedule | Coach Position | Train Route. – eRailway.co.in". erailway.co.in. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
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