The eponymous train is named after the famous 12th-century fortress Rockfort temple in the heart of Tiruchirapalli.

The train originally ran between Madras Egmore and Tiruchirappalli Junction on the 'Chord Line'.

Later, when the 'Main Line' was closed for operations to facilitate gauge conversion projects, a part of this train was extended to Thanjavur Junction as Rockfort Link Express (6177A/ 6178A).

[1] This train originally had a signal-green livery, with a yellow stripe along the upper and lower part of windows.

It later was changed to the standard VB Maroon-livery when it was run on the MG. On BG it ran with the Conventional ICF coaches and later it is converted to LHB rake.