The Grand Trunk Express
The Grand Trunk Express, (commonly called G.T. or G.T. Express), is one of the oldest and most famous trains in India. The train first started running in 1929, and to this day provides a daily service between New Delhi, the capital of India, and Chennai Central. It covers the distance of 2186 kilometres (1358 miles) in exactly 35 hrs 35 mins., with 38 halts (inclusive of the terminals). The train is one of the longest train routes in India.
The train passes through the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
As per the numbering of the Indian Railways, the train has been assigned the numbers 2615/2616, with 2615 being assigned for the Chennai - New Delhi run and 2616 for the New Delhi - Chennai run.
The normal composition of the GT is 24 coaches (cars):
- 1 x AC I Class
- 2 x AC II tier
- 3 x AC III tier
- 13 x III tier Sleeper
- 4 x General/Unreserved
- 1 x Pantry
Sometimes an extra III tier sleeper coach is added to bring the total up to 25 coaches.
The GT is hauled for the entire route by a single WAP-4 AC electric locomotive from the Erode shed.
The train's name - and the name of the route on which it runs, the arterial North-South route, which is doubled and fully electrified, the Grand Trunk route—derives from the famous Grand Trunk Road. The GT is no longer the fastest or most prestigious train on the route. Presently there is also another train, the Tamil Nadu Express, which operates the same route, but is a bit faster as it has a little lesser number of stops.
