Sabari Express

Sabari Express (numbered:17229/17230) is one of the oldest and most prestigious trains operated by South Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It runs between Secunderabad and Thiruvananthapuram Central.

It is one of the few trains 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.

Etymology
The train is named after the famous Hindu pilgrimage site, the Sabarimala Temple.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The total distance covered by this train is 1568 km (974 miles). The average journey takes approximately 30 hours.

Important halting stations



 * 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
 * Secunderabad Junction

Rake Share
This train shares rake sharing with Tirupati-Secunderabad Padmavati Express (12763/12764) and Tirupati-Secunderabad Superfast Express (12731/12732)

Traction
The train is usually hauled by either a LGD/WAP-7 or a BZA/WAP-4 locomotive.