Thiruvananthpuram–Shalimar Express

The 22641 / 42 Thiruvananthapuram–Shalimar Superfast is a Superfast train belonging to Indian Railways southern zone that runs between Thiruvananthapuram Central (Kerala) and Shalimar (West Bengal) in India.

It operates as train number 22641from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Shalimar and as train number 22642 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Coaches
The 22641 / 42 Thiruvananthpuram−Shalimar Express has one AC 2-tier, Six AC 3-tier, 13 sleeper class, three general unreserved and two SLR (seating with luggage rake) coaches and two high capacity parcel van coaches & 2 AC THREE TIER ECONOMY. It carries pantry car. THE TRAIN USES LHB COACHES SINCE 2021 DECEMBER (ASSESSMENT NEED )

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service
The 22641 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Shalimar Express covers the distance of 2564 km in 44 hours 50 mins (57 km/h) and in 45 hours 40 mins as the 22642 Shalimar–Thiruvananthapuram Central (56 km/h).

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

Routing
The 22641 / 42 runs from Thiruvananthapuram Central via Kollam Junction, Alappuzha, Ernakulam Junction, Thrissur, Palakkad Junction, Coimbatore Junction, Perambur, Vijayawada Junction, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Kharagpur Junction to Shalimar.

Traction
As the route is fully electrified, an Erode or Royapuram-based WAP-4 locomotive powers the train up to Visakhapatnam. Later, an Howrah-based WAP-4 locomotive takes the reversed direction and pulls the train to its destination.