Kannur: The oldest “grand old man” of Indian trains, the Mangaluru–Chennai Mail (12601/12602), will soon switch to modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches. The 158-year-old service will discontinue its traditional coaches after January 18. The 58-year-old Mangaluru–Chennai West Coast Express (started in 1967) will also transition to LHB coaches. In addition, LHB rakes will be introduced on the Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram Superfast (12695/96) and Chennai–Alappuzha Superfast (22639/40). The 137-year-old Malabar Express and the 23-year-old Maveli Express are also set to shift to LHB coaches soon.

The Chennai Mail first began operations in 1867. Its early names included Blue Mountain, Nilgiri and Malabar. The train was renamed “Mail” in 1887. It initially ran from Chennai Royapuram to Old Coi

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