Mannai Express

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Mannai Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
StatusOperating
LocaleTamil Nadu
First service27 September 2011 (2011-09-27)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway zone
Route
StartChennai Egmore (MS)
Stops11
EndMannargudi(MQ)
Distance travelled357 km (222 mi)
Average journey time07 hours 25 minutes
Service frequencydaily
On-board services
Class(es)First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General
Seating arrangementsAvailable
Sleeping arrangementsAvailable
Auto-rack arrangementsNot available
Catering facilitiesNot available
Observation facilitiesRake sharing with 16105 / 16106 Chendur Express
Entertainment facilitiesNot available
Baggage facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockMQ-MS AJJ WAP 4 / RPM WAP7 25KvA
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed48 km/h (30 mph) (average with halts)
Route map
Mannai Express (Chennai - Mannargudi) Route map.jpg

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]

History[]

This train initially ran through Nidamangalam Junction, Thanjavur Junction, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai Junction, Chidambaram, Villupuram Junction, Tambaram and reaches Chennai Egmore. But this train is rerouted via Nidamangalam Junction, Thiruvarur Junction, Mayiladuthurai Junction and continues till Chennai Egmore via the old existing route. Indian Railways had took this decision due to some technical reasons caused by this train. But people from Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Mannargudi started opposing railways decision. But this train is diverted via Thiruvarur Junction during mid of 2017 in the month of March after a long demand from the Thiruvarur and Cauvery Delta district peoples.[2] The technical reasons railways quoted are:

  1. This train causes 2 loco reversals (one at Nidamangalam Junction and another at Thanjavur Junction) which causes more technical difficulties and loss of time and fuel.
  2. while operating this train in the newly diverted route, it can over come those loco reversal problems and it is a shorter distance for Mannargudi when compared with the old route.
  3. The railway line between Thanjavur to Mayiladuthurai via kumbakonam is one of the most traffic making route. So it causes unnecessary delays.

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.[3]

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
BSicon LDER.svg 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-based WDM-3A diesel locomotive powers the train to its destination.

References[]

  1. ^ "Introduction of Mannai, daily operation of Chendur, shot in the arm for delta districts". The Hindu. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  2. ^ Renganathan, L. (28 October 2017). "Move to divert Mannai Express deplored". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  3. ^ [1], thehindu.com, 05 August 2015

External links[]

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