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Ernakulam–Velankanni Express

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ERNAKULAM-VELANKANNI BI-WEEKLY EXPRESS
Overview
Service typeRegional rail Express
StatusOperating
LocaleTamil Nadu & Kerala
First service25 September 2023; 13 months ago (25 September 2023) (Commercial run)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway zone
Route
TerminiErnakulam Junction (ERS)
Velankanni(VLNK)
Stops31
Distance travelled690 km (430 mi)
Average journey time16 h 45 m
Service frequency16361- Mon,Sat 16362- Tue,Sun
Train number(s)16361/2
On-board services
Class(es)AC II Tier, AC III Tier, SL, GS
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Technical
Rolling stockICF
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrificationyes, completed in 2024 February 20 th
Operating speed41kmph (Avg)
Average length320.978m (including engines)
Track owner(s)Indian Railways
Rake maintenancePM @ ERS, OEA @ VLNK

The Ernakulam Velankanni Express is a train service in the Southern Railway zone of India. It runs between Ernakulam and Velankanni via Kottayam, Kollam Junction, Kottarakkara, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikudi, Tiruthuraipundi, and Tiruvarur. This train is helpful for pilgrims from Kerala to reach Velankanni Church and Nagore Dargah.

Service

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This train covers a distance of 690 kilometres (430 mi) with a journey time of approximately 16 3/4 hours.

It runs as a bi-weekly express with train no 16361 on Mondays and Saturdays and 16362 on Sundays and Tuesdays .

The railway board approved a biweekly express on 17/8/2023 and is running with the above numbers.[1]

It is hauled by ERS WDG-3A for end to end journey. Twin lead till QLN and 1 is attached as a banker from QLN to SCT.

Major halts

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The major halts in this train are

Coaches

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The train has standard ICF rakes with a maximum speed of 110 km/h. This train does not have rake sharing and have 1 independent rake.

The train consists of 18 coaches:

  • 2 AC II Tier
  • 4 AC III Tier
  • 9 Sleeper coaches
  • 3 General Unreserved
  • 2 SLR cum Luggage Rake

The number of coaches got increased from 14 to 18 from April 6th 2024, subject to positive inspection report submitted by RDSO to Southern Railway for running 22 LHB/24 ICF coaches in the Ghats section. The number of coaches increased after the extension of platforms in stations along Kollam-Sengottai section to accommodate 24 coaches.[2]

Direction reversal

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The train reverses its direction twice:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kerala train services: 2 routes regularised; schedule change, new stops, Onam special to Mumbai". English.Mathrubhumi. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  2. ^ "Trains passing via Sengottai-Punalur route to get 18 coaches". The Times of India. 2024-04-06. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
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* Maharshi, Tageeru Anubharadwaj. "06015X/Ernakulam Jn - Velankanni SpecialFare Special (Via Kollam Jn) (PT) - Velankanni to South SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
 * Maharshi, Tageeru Anubharadwaj. "06016X/Velankanni - Ernakulam Jn. SpecialFare Special (Via Kollam Jn) (PT) - South to Velankanni SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 2023-09-06. 
 * "Southern Railway Welcomes You". sr.indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-09-06. 
 * "Southern Railway Welcomes You". sr.indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-09-06.