WAP1 12697 Chennai Thiruvananthapuram SF on a rampage blazes past Ambur, 52 km from Katpadi and 32 km from Jolarpettai. P1 RPM. Ambur in Vellore district is located midway between Bangalore and Chennai on the banks of Palaar river. Ambur Biriyani is one of the famous recipes which emerged during the Nawab of Arcot's regime. Ambur known as leather city is famous for shoe manufacturing industries, Connects Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, covering a distance of 909 km in about 15.20 hrs and 10 halts. Belongs to Southern Railway. Runs weekly. 12697 departs MAS Sundays and 12698 departs TVC Saturdays. 12697 is the fastest Chennai Thiruvananthapuram train, faster than Chennai Mail by 20 minutes. It has only 9 halts compared to 19 halts of prestige 12624 Chennai mail.