The train was first run on 6 March 1977 as a bi-weekly train between (then) Madras and Howrah. The Coromandel Express was designed to be the equivalent of the Rajdhani Expresses running through the Coromandel Coast. At the time the train had a dining car and library. Over time a cinema was introduced. Whilst initially going to Howrah Station, the West Bengal terminus was eventually moved to Shalimar.[1]
On 15 August 1997, the 42 Down Coromandel Express collided with the Coromandel Express between Visakhapatnam and Brahmapur in Odisha killing 75.[citation needed]
On 15 August 1999, the Coromandel Express derailed at Dusi, just crossing the Nagavalli River killing 50 passengers and injuring 500.[citation needed]
On 15 March 2002, about seven coaches of the Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed around 14:40 at Padugupadu road over-bridge in Kovuru Mandal in Nellore district, leaving as many as 100 passengers injured. The poor condition of the main rail track in the Nellore district between Vijayawada and Chennai was suspected of being the cause of the accident.[citation needed]
On 13 November 2009, the train derailed near Jajpur Keonjhar Road, about 100 km away from Bhubaneswar in Orissa killing at least 15 people and leaving several injured, some critically. The reason for the derailment is not known. A high-level inquiry was ordered by the Railways following the incident.[citation needed]
On 14 January 2012, a fire broke out in a general compartment of the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express near Lingaraj railway station. However, the flames were extinguished before they could spread. The fire was spotted in the coach, second from the engine, when the superfast express train was proceeding towards Bhubaneswar, a spokesman for East Coast Railway (ECoR) said. No injury was caused to anyone, as the fire brigade was called in immediately and the fire was controlled within 20 minutes. All those on board the superfast train are safe. Prompt steps prevented the fire from spreading. The affected compartment was detached at Bhubaneswar railway station as a precautionary measure, and the train proceeded to its destination, the spokesman said. Preliminary information indicated that the fire might have erupted due to the carelessness of some travelers and an inquiry has been ordered into the incident, he added.[citation needed]
On 30 December 2012, six elephants, including two calves, were killed after being hit by Coromandel Express in Odisha's Ganjam district. A bedroll attendant on the train also died in the crash, but the circumstances of his death were unclear.[4]
On 18 April 2015, a train caught fire at Nidadavolu Junction. Two of the bogies were damaged, said the report. No casualties were reported during the incident.[citation needed]
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