Tirumala Express
18521 Kadapa bound Tirumala Express at Visakhapatnam. | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Mail/Express | ||||
| Locale | Andhra Pradesh | ||||
| First service | 5 April 1970 | ||||
| Current operator | East Coast Railway | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | Kadapa (HX) Visakhapatnam (VSKP) | ||||
| Stops | 35 | ||||
| Distance travelled | 872 km (542 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 17 hours 45 minutes | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number | 18521 / 18522 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Classes | AC first class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | On-board catering, E-catering | ||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Other facilities | Below the seats | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB coach | ||||
| Track gauge | Broad Gauge | ||||
| Operating speed | 49 km/h (30 mph) average including halts. | ||||
| |||||
The 18521 / 18522 Visakhapatnam–Kadapa Tirumala Express is a train that shuttles between Visakhapatnam and Kadapa.[1][2] Previously the train used to run between Visakhapatnam and Tirupati and has been extended to Kadapa from 31 January 2019.
Service
Train no.18522 starts from Kadapa at 05:05 PM and reaches Visakhapatnam at 11:30 AM the next day. 18521/18522 runs daily from both the sides via Tirupati Main.
| Train number | Station code | Departure station | Departure time | Arrival station | Arrival time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18522 | HX | Kadapa | 5:40 PM | Visakhapatnam | 11:30 AM |
| 18521 | VSKP | Visakhapatnam | 2:00 PM | Kadapa | 7:20 AM |
The new numbers for this train were revised from 1 July 2024. Earlier train numbers were (17488/17487 for Visakhapatnam-Kadapa-Visakhapatnam train Tirumala Express.[3]
Coach composition
In February 2021, it has replaced into LHB coach and the arrangement;
- 6 Sleeper class
- 6 AC III tier
- 2 AC II tier
- 1 AC I tier
- 1 AC Economy
- 4 General unreserved
- 1 SLR
- 1 EoG
Route and halts
- Visakhapatnam
- Duvvada
- Anakapalle
- Elamanchili
- Narsipatnam Road
- Tuni
- Annavaram
- Pithapuram
- Samalkot
- Anaparthi
- Dwarapudi
- Rajahmundry
- Kovvur (Experimental stop only)
- Nidadavolu Junction
- Tadepalligudem
- Bhimadolu
- Eluru
- Nuzvid
- Vijayawada Junction
- Tenali
- Nidubrolu
- Bapatla
- Chirala
- Ongole
- Kavali
- Nellore
- Gudur
- Venkatagiri
- Srikalahasti
- Renigunta
- Tirupati Main
- Koduru
- Rajampet
- Nandalur
- Kadapa
Traction
It is hauled by a Lallaguda Loco Shed-based WAP-7 or WAP-4 electric locomotive on its entire journey.
Rake Sharing
The train shares its rake with 18517/18518 Korba-Visakhapatnam Express.
References
- ^ "Nandyal MP Brahmananda Reddy seeks extension for trains | Nandyal MP Brahmananda Reddy seeks extension for trains". www.deccanchronicle.com. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Service, Express News (5 August 2024). "Tirumala Express catches fire at Visakhapatnam station, no casualties reported". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "Vizag-Kadapa Tirumala Express to run with revised numbers". The Hindu. 14 June 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 March 2026.