Thirukkural Express

The 12641 / 12642 Thirukkural Express is a superfast express train in India, running between Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu which is the southernmost tip of the Indian Subcontinent, and Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. From December 2020, it runs with newly manufactured LHB rakes.

It is currently a bi-weekly train covering a distance of 2919 km, making it one of the longest running superfast trains in the country. The train shares a common route and timetable with the Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Dindigul in return and from Madurai to Hazrat Nizamuddin in upward.

Origin of the name
Thirukkural is a book of verses on common ethics and morality written by Tamil Poet Thiruvalluvar. The train was named after the book, with the statue of Thiruvalluvar installed at Kanniyakumari

Timings
The 12641 Hazrat Nizzamuddin–Thirukkural Express departs Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Friday at 19:05 IST (07:05 PM) and reaches Hazrat Nizamuddin every Friday and Sunday 18:30 IST (06:30 PM). It takes 47 hours and 30 minutes to complete journey.

12642 Kanniyakumari–Thirukkural Express departs Hazrat Nizamuddin every Monday and Saturday at 05:20 IST (05:20 AM) and reaches Kanniyakumari every Wednesday and Monday at 04:45 IST (04:45 AM). It takes 47 hours and 25 minutes to complete journey.

Coaches
It consists of 22 LHB coach with the maximum speed of 130 kmph.


 * 2AC - AC two tier
 * 3AC - AC three tier
 * SL - Sleeper class
 * PC - Pantry car
 * UR. - unreserved Coach
 * Loco- Locomotive

Route
This train runs from Kanniyakumari via Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli Junction, Vriddhachalam, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Tambaram, Chennai Egmore, Vijayawada Junction, Balharshah, Nagpur Junction, Betul, Itarsi, Bhopal Junction, Jhansi Junction, Agra Cantonment to Hazrat Nizamuddin.

Traction
The Thirukural Express is hauled by an Royapuram / Lallaguda-based WAP-7 locomotive on its entire journey.