Sabari Express

The 17229 / 17230 Sabari Express is one of the oldest and most prestigious train operated by South Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It runs between Secunderabad and Thiruvananthapuram Central.^[3][4]

Sabari Express

Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
First service	6 April 1987; 38 years ago (1987-04-06) [1][2]
Current operator(s)	South Central Railway
Route
Termini	Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) Secunderabad (SC)
Stops	40
Distance travelled	1,555 km (966 mi)
Average journey time	30 hours (Approx.)
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	17229 / 17230
On-board services
Class(es)	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	No
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	52 km/h (32 mph) average including halts.
Route map

It is one of the 2 trains which are running between Hyderabad and Kerala. The train has a pantry car attached. It is always crowded with devotees looking to travel to the Sabarimala Temple.^[4]

Etymology

The train is named after the famous Hindu pilgrimage site, the Sabarimala Temple.^[4]

History

It is a mail express train and started its first service 37 years ago, on 6 April 1987.^[4]

Earlier the train used to run between Hyderabad Deccan and Cochin Harbour Terminus railway station from1987 till 2005. It was extended to Thiruvananthapuram Central from 27 March 2005.^[1]

Once the Kochuveli railway station was fully up and running, the train was scheduled to start from and terminate there instead of Thiruvananthapuram Central, in a bid ease congestion at the latter. However, it still starts from and terminates at Thiruvananthapuram Central as per the train schedule.

Despite this being one of the most important and prestigious trains of Indian Railways, it still uses old ICF coaches instead of modern LHB coaches.^[5]

Schedule

The train from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Secunderabad Junction leaves at 6:45 AM and arrives at 12:30 PM the next day. It carries the number 17229.^[6][7][8]

The train in the opposite direction, from Secunderabad Junction to Thiruvananthapuram Central, leaves at 12:20 PM and arrives at 6:05 PM the next day. It uses the number 17230.^[9][10][11]

The total distance covered by this train is 1555 km (974 miles). The average journey takes approximately 29 hours 45 min.^[4]

Important halting stations

Sabari express at Guntur Railway Station

• Thiruvananthapuram Central
• Varkala
• Kollam Junction
• Karunagappalli
• Kayamkulam
• Mavelikkara
• Chengannur
• Thiruvalla
• Changanassery
• Kottayam
• Ernakulam Town (North)
• Aluva
• Thrissur
• Wadakkancherry
• Ottapalam
• Palakkad Junction
• Coimbatore Junction
• Tiruppur
• Erode Junction
• Salem Junction
• Morappur
• Jolarpettai Junction
• Katpadi Junction
• Chittoor
• Tirupathi
• Renigunta Junction
• Gudur Junction
• Nellore
• Singarayakonda
• Ongole
• Chirala
• Bapatla
• Nidubrolu
• Tenali Junction
• Guntur Junction
• sattenapalle
• Piduguralle
• Nadikudi
• Miryalguda
• Nalgonda
• Charlapalli
• Secunderabad Junction

Rake Sharing

This train shares rake sharing with 12763/12764 Padmavati Express and 12731/12732 Tirupati-Secunderabad Superfast Express.

Traction

The train is regularly hauled by either a Lallaguda Loco Shed based WAP-7 or Vijayawada Loco Shed based WAP-4 electric locomotive on its entire journey.Now This Train Hauled By A Wag 9 From Lallaguda in Return Service (Thiruvananthapuram - Secunderabad 17229 )