This Friday again i would be taking 12601 from MAS to CLT, usually i do this very regularly minimum 2-3 times a month and for return on sunday i take the 12686. What i have noticed with 12686/12685 nowdays is that in addition to WAP4, it comes with WAP1 regularly and WAM4 at times, i believe it probably has to do with it being 22 coach LHB rake with lesser drag because of power being generated from EOG.
But have to agree even with a WAP1 link its able to maintain good speed of 110kmph (measured using GPS) and the max speed i have noticed for 12686 was sometime last year well before new time table came in, when it touched...
more... 116kmph - 118kmph in between shornur - palakkad effortlessly and used to peak 110 kmph in Calicut-Tirur, Tirur-Shornur stretch