Southern Railway launches Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express service with LHB coaches

Southern Railway introduces Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi Express with LHB coaches, offering enhanced comfort and higher passenger capacity.

The Southern Railway began operating the Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi Express with LHB coaches on December 28, 2024 (Saturday).

Composed of two AC chair cars, 18 second class chair cars, one luggage-cum-brake van with accommodation for the differently abled, and one power car LHB coach, the train no. 12084 departed from Coimbatore Junction with 2,000 passengers on board and 100 % occupancy.

Developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany, the coaches that are now being manufactured in India can be operated at higher speeds and have a higher passenger capacity than the conventional coaches, a press release said.

The improved suspension system of LHB coaches provides more riding comfort to passengers. The LHB coaches have fire retardant materials for furnishing, and the air-conditioning system of these coaches is of higher capacity, the release said.

Prior to the journey at Coimbatore, passengers celebrated the event by cutting a cake, honouring the Station Manager, Loco pilot and distributing sweets.

Emphasising on the scope for betterment of services from Coimbatore Junction in consideration of its status as the third highest revenue generating station in Southern Railways that includes railway stations in Kerala, train enthusiast and president of Kongu Global Forum J. Sathish voiced the demand of the travelling public for utilisation of the old ICF coaches used in the Coimbatore to Mayiladuthurai Jan Shatabdi express for operating a new Jan Shatabdi train service between Coimbatore and Nagercoil.

The train with stoppages at Tirunelvel, Madurai, Dindigul, Palani, Udumalpet and Pollachi will be patronised well, Mr. Satish said.