Silambu Express

The Silambu Express (16181/16182) is a train that runs between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai via Chord line.[2] It got its LHB rake and again revert ICF. It recently got Utkrist Coach. Usually the train departs from platform number 2 from chennai egmore .It is the only express train running on the Manamadurai-Virudhunagar line to Chennai.

Silambu Express
Silambu Express with Utkrist Coach at Chennai Egmore.
Overview
Service typeExpress Train
LocaleTamil Nadu
First service22 June 2013 (2013-06-22)
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
StartChennai Egmore
Stops26
EndSengottai
Distance travelled683 km (424 mi)
Average journey time13 hours 10 mins
Service frequencyTri-Weekly
Train number(s)16181 / 16182
On-board services
Class(es)1 AC, 2 AC, 3 AC, SL, UR
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Entertainment facilitiesNo
Technical
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed52.5 km/h (32.6 mph) average with halts
Timetable number(s)8 / 8A[1]

History

The name of the train commemorates the Kannagi or (Kannaki), a legendary Tamil woman, is the main character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram (100-300 CE) who used Silambu the only proof for saving her husband. So,the train was named as "Silambu Express" to remember the Silapathikaram story. It is a standard train consisting of commercial coaches. The main towns on the way are Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Tiruchirapalli, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Sivaganga, Manamadurai,Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Srivilliputhur, Rajapalayam and Tenkasi. The train is operated as Bi-weekly and covers a distance of 683 km. Initially this train was announced between Chennai Egmore and Karaikudi but due to public demand this train has been extended up to Manamadurai via Sivagangai then further extended to Sengottai[3] via Aruppukkottai. This train was announced on Railway Budget 2013 and the service started on 22 June 2013 & extended up to Sengottai from 5 Mar 2017.[4] & frequency was increased from Bi-Weekly to Tri-Weekly from 25th feb 2019.[5]

Route

Read in another language initially, the train announced as Chennai Egmore on the night of Wednesdays and Saturdays and reaches Karaikudi Junction the next morning running about for 7¼ hours. On the return journey, the train departs Karaikudi Junction on the evenings of Thursdays and Sundays on the same route with almost same running time through Chengalpattu Jn, Villupuram Jn, Virddhachalam Jn and Tiruchirappalli Jn.Before the introduction of this train terminating point extended from Karaikudi Junction to Manamadurai Junction, it was once again extended run up to Sengottai. Extension of the regular service commenced on 04.03.2017 ex Chennai Egmore and on 05.03.2017 ex Sengottai. Prominent stoppages include Aruppukkottai,Virudhunagar Junction,Sivakasi,Srivilliputhur,Rajapalayam, and Tenkasi Jn,Sankarankovil,kadayanallur with an additional journey time of about 5 hours.then silambu express frequency increased as biweekly to triweekly first weekly service commenced on 25.02.2018.[6]

Coach Composition

Total number of Coaches 17

LocoSLRURURS8S7S6S5S4S3S2S1B2B1A1H1URURURSLR

See also

References
  1. "Time Table of Chennai Egmore - Rameswaram (Main Line)" (PDF). Indian Railways. Southern Railway zone. pp. 43–44 (93–94). Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  2. Rail news http://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=5767
  3. "Finally, Silambu Express to go up to Sengottai - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  4. "Silambu Express right on track". The Hindu. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  5. "Silambu express becomes tri-weekly". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 24 February 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 December 2020.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&dcd=7686&id=0,4,268
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