Ganga Kaveri Express
The 12669 / 12670 Ganga Kaveri Express is a bi-weekly Express train service operated by Indian Railways, connecting Chennai in Southern India to Chhapra in Bihar. Inaugurated on 16 February 1977 by Kamalpati Tripathi, between Madras (now Chennai) and Varanasi, was terminating at Chennai Beach Station, from where MG Ganga Kaveri Express used to run to Rameswaram through the Kaveri river basin. Etymology. It is named after two Indian Rivers; Ganga (which flows in the holy city of Varanasi, also Chhapra) and Kaveri river (a River which flows in the Southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu ). History. The Superfast of train number 139/140 started its service to Varanasi from Madras Beach station, from the opposite platform where an "MG Ganga Kaveri Express" used to run to Rameswaram since Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore–Rameswaram line was still in metre gauge. Later the Superfast status was erased, made to terminate at Madras Central (now Chennai Central instead of Madras Beach (now Chennai Beach) as an Express and connection with Madras–Rameswaram Express removed and name changed from Ganga Kaveri Exp to Madras–Varanasi Express. Thus increased halts at some stations, converted from one-night to two-nights train , slowed down by more than 3 hours, Green and Yellow colored rakes withdrawn and AC sleeper service introduced. Later, in 90's Jaffer Sharief introduced the train which is running currently as Ganga Kaveri Express for the benefit of South Indian tourists, willing to travel to holy city of Varanasi. This train was extended to Chhapra in December 2006 despite a stiff opposition from the Local South Indians in Varanasi, who alleged that quota may be reduced for Varanasi bound passengers. Currently, this train is under criticism since the name of the train currently running wasn't suitable (because this  train originates in Chennai not in Trichy where Kaveri river is running and in Chennai only Coovum river is there and hence reason).Also passengers are requesting to change these old, rusting coaches(this train was running still with old ICF rakes for 40+ years) to new LHB rakes since this train is highly preferred for local tourist organisations and senior citizens following Hinduism for doing last rites such as Funeral ceremony and ceremonies to the deceased ancestors and also it is the only straight train from Chennai to Varanasi. Route. The following are the major junctions en route: Gudur, Ongole , , Khammam, Warangal, Ramagundam, , , Itarsi, , , , , Ghazipur city and Ballia. Traction. It is hauled by a Royapuram-based WAP-7 or Erode-based WAP-4 locomotive from Chennai Central to Itarsi Jn.. And then handing over to an Itarsi / Katni-based WDM-3A twins locomotive from Itarsi Jn. to Chhapra Jn., and vice versa. Coach composition. The train runs with LHB coaches. It has 1 AC First Cum AC Two Tier, 3 AC Two Tier, 2 AC Three Tier, 13 Sleeper class, 2 General Unreserved, 2 Luggage cum Passenger Car and 1 pantry car (a total of 24 coaches). It shares its rake with two  trains. 12615 / 12616 & 12621 /12622 Chennai Central–New Delhi Grand Trunk Superfast Express & Tamil Nadu Superfast Express