Service type Express Train Stops 26 | ||
 | ||
First service 22 June 2013 (2013-06-22) | ||
The Silambu Express (16181/16182) is a train runs between Chennai Egmore and Sengottai via Chord line. It recently got it's LHB rake and again revert back ICF rake.
Contents
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 and Sivaganga. 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 upto Sengottai from 5 Mar 2017.
Train route and timings
The train from Chennai Egmore to Sengottai starts Chennai Egmore at 20:20 hours arrives Trichy by 02.05 hours and reaches Sengottai the next morning at 10:20 hours. In total the journey time is 14 hours. 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 5:45 hours. On return, the journey time is 13 hours 45 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 upto SENGOTTAI (SCT)
Train No.16181 / 16182 Chennai Egmore – Manamadurai – Chennai Egmore bi-weekly Silambu express trains were extended to run upto 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