Bangalore was first connected to the north by the Kerala-Karnataka (also known as KK) Express, introduced in 1976.[1] The train ran from New DelhitoJolarpettai and was split into two trains, one going to Bangalore and the other to Trivandrum. This continued until 1983, when Karnataka Express was launched in the February 1983 budget[2] as a single biweekly train running on 3 routes on different days of the week. The routes were via Secunderabad, Manmad, and Vijayawada. The train was then rerouted via Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Wadi, Daund, - Bhusaval and continues to run on the same route to this day.[3][4]
The train runs on all 7 days of the week. 12627 and 12628 depart in the late evening and reach their destinations on the third morning and afternoon respectively.
Karnataka Express used to run with ICF coaches until November 10, 2021, when it was given LHB coaches.
The coach composition is as follows:
3 Second Sitting coaches.
7 sleeper coaches.
6 Third AC coaches.
2 Second AC coach.
1 First AC coach.
1 Pantry car coach.
1 High Capacity Parcel Van
The train runs with 23 coaches in the up direction and 23 coaches in the down direction.
The train shares its rakes with 12657/12658 KSR Bengaluru - MGR Chennai central Mail.
On May 14, 1989, the Karnataka Express derailed near a bridge near Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh killing 69. Several passengers had been complaining to the service staff of intermittent but strong and unusual jerks even before the train arrived at Bhopal, and the delayed train was speeding at more than 100 kilometres per hour. An engine or axle failure has been suspected as the cause of the derailment.[7]
On March 6, 1991 Karnataka Express derailed in the rain near Makalidurga ghats, about 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore, killing 30.[8]
On July 28, 1997 Karnataka Express and Himsagar Express collided on the outskirts of Delhi, killing 12.[9]
