The Pallavan Superfast Express was introduced to run parallel to the Vaigai Superfast Express, which could not complete the round trip between Madurai and Chennai. The express was initially introduced between Chennai and Trichy on 15 August 1984. Later, it was extended till Karaikudi, effective from 1 September 2013. The express along with Vaigai express serves as fastest public commutation mode between Chennai and Trichy apart from air. The Express makes the run in 7.15 hours with only 13 stops. It is the most popular day train for travel between Karaikudi and Chennai Egmore via Trichy, making the one-way trip in just over 7 hours as compared to the 910 hours by road. The train attains its maximum speed of on the Vriddhachalam-Villupuram segment of the line.It was named after pallava dynasty
Schedule
As per latest schedule 12606 Pallavan Express departs Karaikudi Junction at 05.05AM then reaches Tiruchchirappalli Junction at 06.30AM then reaches Villupuram Junction at 09.25AM and will reach its final destination Chennai Egmore at 12.10PM And 12605 Pallavan Express departs Chennai Egmore at 03.45PM then reaches Villupuram Junction at 06.05PM and arrives Tiruchchirappalli Junction around 08.45PM and reaches Karaikkudi Junction at 11.00PM. In both directions Pallavan Express changes its loco from Diesel to Elecrric and Electric to Diesel at Tiruchchirappalli Junction. SWAPING AS VAIGAI EXPRESS The train which departs Karaikudi at early morning changes locomotive at Trichy and reaches Chennai Egmore at around noon. Then it swaps as Vaigai Express departing for Madurai. As the other pair of Vaigai Express arrives Chennai Egmore, the train is swapped as Pallavan Express, departing early evening and changes locomotive Trichy and reaches Karaikudi late night. The train has one pantry car for providing continuous refreshment/food supply to passengers. Food fares are applicable and will be in good quality.
Rakes
The train is being hauled by an electric locomotive ED/RPM WAP 7 between and. And between and Karaikudi, it is hauled by diesel locomotive, based, since the line is not electrified and vice versa. The PS1 coach in this train is a Pantry-cum-Coach car, where half of the coach is used as a kitchen and the other half is used as a normal passenger coach. But after upgraded to LHB Coches PS-1 coach is replaced with AC Hot Buffet Car. This train shares its rakes with Vaigai Express.
