Coimbatore–Shoranur railway line
| Coimbatore–Shoranur line | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Tamil Nadu and Kerala |
| Termini |
Coimbatore Shoranur |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1861 |
| Owner | Indian Railway |
| Operator(s) | Southern Railway |
| Depot(s) | Erode |
| Rolling stock | WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A and WDG-4 diesel locos; and WAG-7 and WAP-4 electric locos. |
| Technical | |
| Track length |
Main line: 88 km (55 mi) Coimbatore-Mettupalayam 54 km (34 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge |
| Operating speed | Up to 130 km/h |
| Highest elevation |
Coimbatore 411 metres (1,348 ft) Shoranur 26 metres (85 ft) Palakkad 84 metres (276 ft) |
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The Coimbatore–Shoranur line connects Coimbatore in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Shoranur in Kerala. There is a branch line Pothanur–Coimbatore–Mettupalayam connecting to Udhagamandalam via Nilgiri Mountain Railway. This network links the railway network in Kerala to the network in Tamil Nadu via the Palakkad Gap.
History
The first train service in southern India and the third in India was operated by Madras Railway from Royapuram to Wallajah Road in 1856. Madras Railway extended its trunk route to Kozhikode in 1861.[1] The Podanur–Mettuapalayam line was opened to traffic in 1873. The UNESCO heritage track, Nilgiri Mountain Railway was opened in two stages. The Mettupalayam-Coonoor section was opened in 1899 and it was extended up to Udhagamandalam (Ooty) in 1908.[2] The 46 km (29 mi) long railway rises from 330 metres (1,080 ft) at Mettuapalaym to 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) at Udhagamandalam.[3]
Geography
Palghat Gap is a low mountain pass in the Western Ghats between Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and Palakkad in Kerala. It has an average elevation of 140 metres (460 ft) with a width of 30 kilometres (19 mi) and the line passes through the Palghat gap, which is the only connection across the Western Ghats between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.[4]
Electrification
The mainline was electrified in stages. The Coimbatore–Waylar sector was electrified in 1995–96, and the Waylar–Shoranur in 1996-97.[5] As of 2013, electrification of Coimbatore-Mettuapalayem is to be taken up this fiscal.[6]
Speed limit
The Coimbatore-Shoranur line is classified as a "Group B" line which can take speeds up to 130 km/h.[7]
Loco sheds
Trains running on the line use locos from Erode loco shed which holds WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A, WDG-4, WAG-7 and WAP-4 locos. It is home to the largest fleet of WAP-4 locos on Indian Railways.[8]
Passenger movement
Coimbatore and Palakkad, on this line, are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.[9]
References
- ↑ "IR History – Early days". 1832–1869. IRFCA. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Mettupalam-Udhagamandalam (Ooty) Train". india invites. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Mettuapalayam" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Britannica Encyclopedia". Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Mettuapalayam-Coimbatore sector electrification to be taken up this fiscal year: DRM". The Hindu, 16 August 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Chapter II : The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Sheds and Workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Retrieved 23 December 2013.