Kerala’s “Orange” Second Vande Bharat Express

The orange-grey-black beauty that is Kerala’s second Vande Bharat express slowly glides past Kazhakoottam railway station on a dreary and overcast afternoon on its second trial run. This was only its second visit to Trivandrum. The eight coach Train-18 trainset manufactured by ICF Chennai will run as the second Vande Bharat Express in Kerala between Kasargod and Trivandrum via Alappuzha starting on September 24, 2023. The train will depart Kasargod at 0700 on all days except Tuesday and Trivandrum at 1605 on all days except Monday. The running time between Trivandrum and Kasargod for the Vande Bharat Express is 8 hours.

This is the second Vande Bharat Express allocated to a Kerala railway division. It belongs to Palakkad. Trivandrum division received the first one, a 16-coacher currently running between Trivandrum and Kasargod via Kottayam. This orange colour scheme sported by Kerala’s second Vande Bharat express is one of a kind and this rake is the only one sporting this livery.