The A.P. (Andhra Pradesh) Express is a superfast train of the Central Railways that operates between New Delhi and Hyderabad. It is a daily train which takes around 27 hours to traverse its route while touching the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra before reaching New Delhi.
The number 12723 has been allocated by the Indian Railways (IR) for the Hyderabad- New Delhi route while number 12724 has been assigned to the train on its New- Delhi- Hyderabad route. Railways Minister Madhu Dandavate flagged off this train service in 1976.
Operational History –
In 1976, the AP Express covered the route in just less than 23 hours. Thereafter, the running time of the train has risen. During the time of introduction of this train, many of the route sections were a single line. In 1978, signalling was based on Semaphore.
During the original years in which the train and its 14 coaches operated, they were hauled by a WDM2 or a Diesel locomotive derived by 2600 HP ALCO. After 1981, capacity of the train was raised to 21 coaches hauled by two locomotives derived from WDM2 (ALCO) featuring a combined HP of 5200. Originally, the train featured a well-appointed pantry car.
Coaches and Traction –
Nowadays, 12723/Andhra Pradesh Express features 24 coaches (also 7 AC coaches) and is hauled by WAP-4/ WAP-7 electric locomotives.
Stoppages –
From the time of commission in 1978 till late 1990’s, there were just 5 stops for the AP Express- Bhopal Junction, Jhansi Junction, Kazipet, Balhar Shah and Nagpur. Thereafter, 7 in-between stops have been added thus lengthening running time up to about 27 hours.
Latest News –
After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the AP Express operates from Telengana, and, therefore, the name of the train will be changed to Telengana Express. A new train between Delhi and Vijayawada will be renamed as Andhra Express.
Other Details –
Secunderabad Railway Station is located in the city of Hyderabad. It is operated by the South Central Railways. It is connected well to all other parts of the country. Located on the Nanded- Guntakal and Vijayawada- Wadi lines, it also acts as the Zonal H.Q. of the South Central Railways. The station has been awarded ISO 9001 Certification (Quality Management) in luggage and parcel booking, platform management and ticket booking. Over 200 trains arrive at and depart from this station, daily.
This station is one of the busiest and biggest stations of India. It is one of the three stations serving the city of Hyderabad, the others being Deccan Nampilli Station and Kachiguda Railway Station.
New Delhi is the capital of the country and home to the judicial, legislative and executive branches of the central government. It is also the capital of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The metropolis is home to a population of 23 million.
The New Delhi Railway Station is the major railway station in Delhi, the second busiest and one among biggest stations in Asia. It connects Delhi to all other parts of the country as well as Lahore in Pakistan. The AP Express thus connects two of the most important stations of India.
- 12724/Andhra Pradesh Express Route, Schedule & Time Table –
| Station Code | Station Name | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Stoppage Time |
| NDLS | New Delhi | origin | 17:25 | Origin |
| MTJ | Mathura Junction | 19:33 | 19:35 | 2 min |
| AGC | Agra Cantt | 20:42 | 20:45 | 3 min |
| GWL | Gwalior Junction | 22:05 | 22:08 | 3 min |
| JHS | Jhansi Junction | 23:35 | 23:47 | 12 min |
| BPL | Bhopal Junction | 03:20 | 03:30 | 10 min |
| NGP | NAGPUR | 09:40 | 09:50 | 10 min |
| CD | CHANDRAPUR | 12:23 | 12:26 | 3 min |
| BPQ | BALHARSHAH | 13:20 | 13:40 | 20 min |
| SKZR | SIRPUR KAGAZNGR | 14:18 | 14:20 | 2 min |
| BPA | BELAMPALLI | 14:53 | 14:55 | 2 min |
| MCI | MANCHERAL | 15:13 | 15:15 | 2 min |
| RDM | RAMGUNDAM | 15:23 | 15:25 | 2 min |
| KZJ | KAZIPET JN | 16:45 | 16:47 | 2 min |
| SC | SECUNDERABAD JN | 19:15 | 19:20 | 5 min |
| HYB | HYDERABAD DECAN | 19:50 | destination | Destination |
- 12723/Andhra Pradesh Express Route, Schedule & Time Table –
| Station Code | Station Name | Arrival Time | Departure Time | Stoppage Time |
| HYB | HYDERABAD DECAN | origin | 06:25 | Origin |
| SC | SECUNDERABAD JN | 06:45 | 06:50 | 5 min |
| KZJ | KAZIPET JN | 08:40 | 08:42 | 2 min |
| RDM | RAMGUNDAM | 09:48 | 09:50 | 2 min |
| MCI | MANCHERAL | 10:01 | 10:02 | 1 min |
| BPA | BELAMPALLI | 10:27 | 10:28 | 1 min |
| SKZR | SIRPUR KAGAZNGR | 10:54 | 10:55 | 1 min |
| BPQ | BALHARSHAH | 12:25 | 12:35 | 10 min |
| CD | CHANDRAPUR | 12:54 | 12:55 | 1 min |
| NGP | NAGPUR | 15:45 | 15:55 | 10 min |
| BPL | Bhopal Junction | 21:50 | 22:00 | 10 min |
| JHS | Jhansi Junction | 02:08 | 02:20 | 12 min |
| GWL | Gwalior Junction | 03:29 | 03:32 | 3 min |
| AGC | Agra Cantt | 05:20 | 05:23 | 3 min |
| MTJ | Mathura Junction | 06:06 | 06:08 | 2 min |
| BVH | Ballabgarh | 07:50 | 07:52 | 2 min |
| NZM | Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin | 08:38 | 08:40 | 2 min |
| NDLS | New Delhi | 09:05 | destination | Destination |