Madurai–Dehradun Express

The 12687 / 12688 Madurai–Chandigarh Express is a Superfast Express train of Indian Railways – Northern Railway zone that runs between Madurai Junction in Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh Junction in Punjab and Haryana, India. The slip coaches to Dehradun was permanently discontinued with effect from July 11, 2021.

It operates as train number 12687 from Madurai Junction to Chandigarh Junction and as train number 12688 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

It previously ran only up to Chennai Central being recently extended to Madurai Junction. It carried slip coaches to Dehradun. But after July 11 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun was permanently discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh from Madurai Junction, with revised coach position.

History
It was first introduced as a Bi-Weekly Superfast Express between Chennai Central to Chandigarh and slip coaches to Dehradun as Chennai–Dehradun Link Express.

Later in 2014, it was extended up to Madurai Junction and ran as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh / Dehradun Link Superfast Express. After July 11, 2021, the slip coaches to Dehradun were discontinued and it runs as a single train to Chandigarh without Dehradun Link Express coaches. Therefore, at present it runs as Madurai Junction–Chandigarh Bi-Weekly Superfast Express. Also it was diverted to run via, Perambur (Chennai), without touching Chennai Central since it has to take reversal done at Chennai Central. At present it takes reversal done only at Erode Junction, it bypasses Chennai Central by without taking reversal. The coach position was also changed. After July 21, 2021, it will not carry AC First Class. It runs with AC Two Tier, AC Three, AC Three Economy, Pantry car,Sleeper class and General Unreserved.

Coaches
The 12687 / 88 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express presently has,


 * 1 AC Two Tier,
 * 3 AC Three Tier,
 * 3 AC Three Tier Economy,
 * 9 Sleeper class,
 * 1 Pantry car,
 * 2 General Unreserved,
 * 1 SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake).

Service
The 12687 Madurai–Chandigarh Superfast Express covers the distance of 3074 kilometres in 51 hours 55 mins (60.34 km/h). It takes 53 hours 45 mins as 12688 Chandigarh–Madurai Express (58 km/h).

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h, as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

Route & halts
The 12687 / 12688 Madurai–Chandigarh Express runs from Madurai Junction via Dindigul Junction, Karur Junction,Erode Junction, Salem Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Katpadi Junction, Arakkonam Junction, Perambur, Nayudupeta, Vijayawada Junction, Warangal, Balharshah, Sewagram, Nagpur Junction, Itarsi Junction, Bhopal Junction, Gwalior Junction, Agra Cantonment, Faridabad, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Meerut City Jn. Saharanpur Junction Ambala Cantonment, Yamuna Nagar to Chandigarh.

Direction reversal
The train reverses its direction once at;
 * Erode Junction.

Traction
Two locomotives are assigned to haul this train during its journey. As the route is fully electrified, it is hauled by an Erode-based WAP-4 between Madurai Junction and Erode Junction, handing over to a Erode-based WAP-4 from Erode Junction to its destination Chandigarh, and vice versa.