Mannai Express
The Mannai Express is an express train operated by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. This train connects Chennai Egmore and Mannargudi via Villupuram, Mayiladuthurai and Thiruvarur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The traffic was opened in 2011.[1]
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| Status | Operating | ||||
| Locale | Tamil Nadu | ||||
| First service | 27 September 2011 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railway zone | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Chennai Egmore (MS) | ||||
| Stops | 11 | ||||
| End | Mannargudi(MQ) | ||||
| Distance travelled | 357 km (222 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 07 hours 25 minutes | ||||
| Service frequency | daily | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Available | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Available | ||||
| Auto-rack arrangements | Not Available | ||||
| Catering facilities | Not Available | ||||
| Observation facilities | Rake Sharing with 16105 / 16106 Chendur Express | ||||
| Entertainment facilities | Not Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Below the Seats | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | 4 | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 48 km/h (30 mph) (average with halts) | ||||
| |||||
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Background
This train is given on the name of Mannai which is another name of Mannargudi town, the word Mannargudi is derived from the Tamil word Mannar referring to Vishnu and gudi referring to a place, meaning the "Place of Vishnu"
Coach composition
The 16179 / 80 Mannai Express has one AC First cum 2-tier, one AC 2-tier, one AC 3-tier, 11 sleeper class, three general unreserved & two SLR (seating with luggage rake) coaches . It doesn't carries a pantry car coach.[2]
As with most train services in India, Coach Composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
| Loco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | EOG | SLR | UR | UR | S9 | S8 | S7 | S6 | S5 | S4 | S3 | S2 | S1 | B1 | A1 | HA1 | UR | UR | SLRD |
Service
The 16179 Chennai Egmore - Mannargudi Mannai Express covers the distance of 357 km (222 mi) in 7 hours 25 mins (48 km/hr) & in 7 hours 20 mins as the 16180 Mannargudi - Chennai Egmore Mannai Express (49 km/hr).
As the average speed of the train is lower than 55 km/h (34 mph), as per railway rules, its fare doesn't includes a Superfast surcharge.
The frequency of this train daily and its shares rakes with Chendur Express.
Routing
16179 / 80 Mannai Express runs from Chennai Egmore Tambaram via Chengalpattu Junction, Viluppuram Junction, Cuddalore Port Junction, Chidambaram, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai Junction, Thiruvarur Junction ,Nidamangalam Junction, Mannargudi
Electrification of the route is in progress, a Erode Junction based WDM-3A diesel locomotive powers the train to its destination.
References
- "Introduction of Mannai, daily operation of Chendur, shot in the arm for delta districts". The Hindu. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- , thehindu.com, 05 August 2015