Karnataka Express

Bangalore was first connected to the north with Kerala - Karnataka (also known as KK) express introduced in 1976.[1] The train ran from New Delhi to Jolarpettai and was split into two trains, one going to Bangalore and the other to Trivandrum. This continued until 1983 when Karnataka express was launched in the February 1983 budget[2] as a single biweekly train running on 3 routes on different days of the week. The routes were via Secunderabad, Manmad, and Vijayawada. The train was then rerouted via Dharmavaram - Guntakal - Wadi - Daund - Bhusaval and continues to run on the same route to this day.[3][4]

Major stations along the route are KSR Bengaluru, Yelahanka Junction, Puttaparthi, Dharmavaram Junction, Anantapur, Guntakal Junction, Wadi Junction, Solapur, Daund Junction, Manmad Junction, Bhusaval Junction, Burhanpur, Khandwa Junction, Itarsi Junction, Bhopal Junction, Jhansi Junction, Gwalior Junction, Agra Cantonment and New Delhi. It halts at several smaller stations, like Hindupur and Kopargaon.[5][6]

Apart from the stations mentioned above, 12627 also halts at Hazrat Nizamuddin and 12628 also halts at Gooty.

The train runs on all 7 days of the week. 12627 and 12628 depart in the late evening and reach their destinations on the third morning and afternoon respectively.

As of December 2021, the route between Solapur and Daund is not completely electrified, hence the train uses a Locomotive Piggyback system between Wadi Junction and Daund Junction.

From KSR Bengaluru to Wadi Junction, it is hauled by a WAP-7 electric locomotive belonging to Electric Loco Shed, Royapuram or Electric Loco Shed, Lallaguda or Electric Loco Shed, Erode. At Wadi Junction, a WDP-4D diesel locomotive belonging to Diesel Loco Shed, Pune is coupled in front of the WAP-7 locomotive and the WAP-7 locomotive is turned off, until Daund. From there, the WDP-4D is decoupled and the train continues its journey till New Delhi with the WAP-7 locomotive.[7]

Karnataka express used to run with ICF coaches until 10 November 2021, when it was given LHB coaches. The coach composition is as follows:

• 1 Second luggage, guard and disabled passenger compartment. (LSLRD)
• 2 Second sitting coaches.
• 12 sleeper coaches.
• 4 Third AC coaches.
• 1 Second AC coach.
• 1 Pantry car coach.
• 1 End on Generator coach.
• 1 or 2 High capacity parcel van coaches. (HCP)

The train runs with 24 coaches in the up direction and 23 coaches in the down direction. THe train shares its rakes with 12657/12658 KSR Bengaluru - MGR Chennai central Mail.

• On 14 May 1989 Karnataka Express derailed near a bridge near Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh killing 69. Several passengers had been complaining to the service staff of intermittent but strong and unusual jerks even before the train arrived at Bhopal, and the delayed train was speeding at more than 100 kilometres per hour. An engine or axle failure has been suspected as the cause of the derailment.[10]

• On 6 March 1991 Karnataka Express derailed in the rain near Makalidurga ghats, about 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore, killing 30.[11]

• On 28 July 1997 Karnataka Express and Himsagar Express collided on the outskirts of Delhi, killing 12.[12]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karnataka Express.

• "Welcome to Indian Railway Passenger reservation Enquiry". indianrail.gov.in. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2014.