System Southern Railway Rolling stock ICF coaches Owner Indian Railways Stations 11 | Services 7 Status Operational definition Operator Southern Railway zone Locale Malappuram, Palakkad | |
 | ||
Type Express train
Passenger train Termini Nilambur Road (NIL)
Shoranur Junction (SRR) Opened 1927; 90 years ago (1927) | ||
Nilambur–Shoranur railway line is a 66 kilometres (41 mi) long single line, non-electrified broad gauge (1676 mm) railway spur branch line of the Indian Railways connecting Nilambur Road railway station in Malappuram district with Shoranur Junction in Palakkad district in the state of Kerala. It is a branch line administered by the Palakkad railway division of the Southern Railway zone and one of the shortest broad gauge railway lines in India. The route is renowned for its natural beauty.
Contents
History
In 1840, the British created a teak plantation in Nilambur to ensure a steady supply of timber for their various needs. In 1923, the South Indian Railway Company, which operated the Madras–Shoranur–Mangalore railway line, was contracted by the Madras Presidency to build a railway from Nilambur to Shoranur to ensure easy transportation of timber from these forests to the plains and hence to ports and onward transportation. The company completed line in stages. The Shoranur–Angadippuram (Perinthalmanna) section was opened on 3 February 1927, Angadippuram–Vaniyambalam on 3 August 1927 and the entire stretch from Shoranur to Nilambur was opened on 26 October 1927. During World War II, the Shoranur line, along with other numerous railway lines across British India were dismantled and rolling stock diverted to the Middle East to help British war efforts. The line ceased to exist in 1941. After independence, following public pressure, the railway line was reconstructed by the Indian Railways along its original alignment. The line re-opened in 1953. The teak plantation still stands today as a major tourist attraction.
Geography
The Shoranur–Nilambur line starts from Shoranur junction and terminates at Nilambur Road railway station, located at a distance of four kilometers from Nilambur town on the Kozhikode-Ooty highway, 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the district headquarters of Malappuram town. The line passes through the eastern part of the Malappuram district. It crosses Kunthippuzha between Kulukkalloor and Cherukara which borders Palakkad and Malappuram districts. Velliyar river, a major tributary of Kadalundi river (between Pattikkad and Melattur), Olippuzha river, another tributary of Kadalundi river (between Melattur and Tuvvur) and Kuthirappuzha, a tributary of Chaliyar river (between Vaniyambalam and Nilambur road) are other major rivers that this line crosses.
Railway stations on the Shoranur–Nilambur Road line are very picturesque and is a dream for nature lovers, presenting ample opportunity for nature tourism. The buildings are small buildings and platforms are low and short, nestled among thick vegetation that reaches close to the track throughout the stretch. Teak and Banyan trees are ubiquitous, with overhanging roots of Banyan trees present on many station platforms, with the tree canopy completely covering many stations. The Nilambur Road railway station itself offers a breathtaking view against the backdrop of the Western Ghats.
Operations
Services on the Shoranur–Nilambur Road line consist of six pairs of passenger trains and one express train, all run daily. Four of passenger trains run between Shoranur and Nilambur, while one pair each run to Nilambur from Palakkad and Ernakulam. The lone express train is the 16349/16350 Thiruvananthapuram–Nilambur Road–Thiruvananthapuram Rajya Rani Express which runs combined with the 16344/16343 Thiruvananthapuram–Palakkad Town–Thiruvananthapuram Amrita Express between Shoranur and Thiruvananthapuram. Locomotives used on the line are the WDM2, WDM3A, WDG3A from the Ernakulam Diesel Loco shed. The timings of trains are as given below