Silambu Express

Silambu Express
	Silambu Express with GOC WDP3A
Overview
Service type	Express Train
Locale	Tamil Nadu
First service	22 June 2013
Current operator(s)	Southern Railways
Route
Start	Chennai Egmore
Stops	26
End	Sengottai
Distance travelled	683 km (424 mi)
Average journey time	14 hours
Service frequency	Bi-weekly
Train number(s)	16181 / 16182
On-board services
Class(es)	1 AC, 2 AC, 3 AC, SL, UR
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Observation facilities	Large windows
Entertainment facilities	No
Technical
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	50 km/h (31 mph) average with halts
Timetable number(s)	8 / 8A[1]

The Silambu Express (16181/16182) is a train that runs between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai via Chord line.^[2] It recently got its LHB rake and again revert ICF. Usually the train departs from platform number 2 from chennai egmore . Recently the train has rake sharing agreement with holiday special train between Chennai egmore and sengottai as train number 06011/06012 .

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, 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 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.^[3]

Train route and timings

The train from Chennai Egmore to Sengottai starts Chennai Egmore at 20:20 hours arrives Trichy by 02.10 hours and reaches Sengottai the next morning at 09:25 hours. In total the journey time is 13 hours 05 minutes. It runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.The return trip from Sengottai to Chennai Egmore starts Sengottai at 16:00 hours and arrives Trichy by 23.40 hours and reaches Chennai Egmore the next morning at 5:35 hours. On return, the journey time is 13 hours 35 minutes. The return trip is on Thursdays and Sundays.

At present, this train connects many important towns and cities between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai. This train passes through and stops in important towns like Chengalpattu Jn, Villupuram Jn, Virddhachalam Jn, Tiruchirappalli Jn, Pudukottai, Karaikudi Jn, Sivaganga, Manamadurai Jn, Aruppukkottai, Virudunagar Jn, Sivakasi, Srivilliputtur, Rajapalaiyam, Sankarankovil and Tenkasi Jn. On the section between Tiruchirappalli and Chennai Egmore the train is pulled by electric locomotive ED WAP4, and on the section between Tiruchirappalli and Manamadurai the train is pulled by diesel locomotive GOC WDP3A. Between the sections of Manamadurai and Tiruchirappalli, this train achieves a maximum speed of 80 kmph.

Route extension up to SENGOTTAI (SCT)

Train No.16181 / 16182 Chennai Egmore – Manamadurai – Chennai Egmore bi-weekly Silambu express trains were extended to run up to Sengottai. Extension of the regular service commenced on 04.03.2017 ex Chennai Egmore and on 05.03.2017 ex Sengottai. Stoppages over the extended portion (between Manamadurai – Sengottai):Narikkudi, Tiruchchuli, Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar, Tiruttangal, Sivakasi, Srivilliputtur, Rajapalayam, Sankarankovil, Pambakovil Shandy, Kadayanallur and Tenkasi Jn.

Coach Composition

Total number of Coaches 17

The Loco has change from Diesel to Electrification from Trichy.

Loco	SLR	UR	UR	S8	S7	S6	S5	S4	S3	S2	S1	B2	B1	A1	H1	UR	UR	UR	SLR

stoppages For train no 16181/06011

The train from Chennai Egmore to Sengottai .

The stoppage are

Chennai egmore

Tambaram

Chengalpattu

Melmarvattur

Villipuram jn

virudhachalam jn

Tiruchirapalli

Pudukottai

Chettinad

Karaikudi jn

Devakottai Road

Sivaganga

Manamadurai

Narikudi

Thiruchuli

Aruppukottai

Virudhunagar

Tiruttangal

Sivakasi

Srivilliputtur

Rajapalayam

Sankarankovil

Pambakovil Shandy

Kadayanallur

Tenkasi Jn &

Sengottai .

stoppages For train no 16182/06012

The train from Sengottai to Chennai Egmore.