Karnataka Express

Bangalore was first connected to the north by the Karnataka-Kerala (also known as KK) Express, introduced in 1976. The train ran from New Delhi to jolarpet and was split into two trains, one going to KSR Bengaluru and the other to Trivandrum. This continued until 1983, when Karnataka Express was launched in the February 1983 budget 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.

Major stations along the route are KSR Bengaluru, Yelahanka Junction, Puttaparthi, Dharmavaram Junction, Anantapur, Guntakal Junction, Wadi Junction,Kalaburagi Junction, Solapur, Daund Junction, Ahilyanagar, Manmad Junction, Bhusaval Junction, Burhanpur, Khandwa Junction, Itarsi Junction, Bhopal Junction, Jhansi Junction, Gwalior Junction, Agra Cantonment and New Delhi. It halts at several smaller stations, like Hindupur and Kopargaon.

Apart from the stations mentioned above, 12627 also halts at Hazrat Nizamuddin.

The train runs daily . 12627 Depart Daily at 7.30 PM from K. S. R Bengaluru City Junction and 12628 Departs Daily in the night at 8. 15 PM and 12627 reaches its destination New Delhi on the third morning at 9.00 am and 12628 Daily reaches K. S. R Bengaluru City Junction in the 12. 00 PM afternoon respectively.

Earlier they used to run with diesel locomotives like WDM-3D , WDM-3A , WDG-4 , WDP-4 and WDG-3A. The train is hauled by a WAP-7 and WAP-4 electric locomotive from Royapuram Loco Shed or Lallaguda Loco Shed or Tughlakabad Loco Shed from end to end basis.

Karnataka Express used to run with ICF coaches with WAP-4 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.
• On March 6, 1991 Karnataka Express derailed in the rain near Makalidurga ghats, about 60 km (37 mi) from Bangalore, killing 30.
• On July 28, 1997 Karnataka Express and Himsagar Express collided on the outskirts of Delhi, killing 12.
• On January 22, 2025 Karnataka Express hits 13 passengers jumped off from Pushpak Express on a adjacent track after a false fire alarm