Erode–Tiruchirappalli line

Tiruchirappalli–Karur–Erode line is a railway line in Southern Railway zone of Indian Railways. It runs between Erode Junction and Tiruchirappalli Junction.

Tiruchirappalli–Karur–Erode line
Karur Junction lies on the Erode–Tiruchirappalli line
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Indian Railways
Locale	Tamil Nadu
Termini	Tiruchirappalli Junction (TPJ) Erode Junction (ED)
Stations	26
Website	www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Service
Services	1
Route number	9/9A/46[1]
Operator(s)	Southern Railway zone
Depot(s)	Erode (ED) Golden Rock (GOC)
Technical
Line length	141 kilometres (88 mi)
Number of tracks	1
Track gauge	Broad Gauge - 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Old gauge	Metre Gauge - 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Electrification	Yes
Highest elevation	Erode Junction 174 metres (571 ft) Karur Junction 120 metres (390 ft) Tiruchirappalli Junction 85 metres (279 ft)
Route map Legend km to Dindigul Junction Tiruchirappalli Junction rail yard to Pudukkottai Junction overpass 0 Tiruchirappalli Junction Goods Shed Road overpass to Golden Rock Tiruchirappalli goods yard Melapudur underbridge 2 Tiruchirappalli Palakkarai 4 Tiruchirappalli Fort TPJTooltip Tiruchirappalli railway division limits SATooltip Salem railway division limits 11 Muttarasanallur 13 Mekkudi 15 Jiyapuram 19 Elamanur 22 Perugamani 28 Pettaivayatalai 33 Marudur 37 Kulitalai 43 Timmachipuram 47 Lalapet 51 Mahadanapuram 54 Sithalvai 58 Mayanoor 61 Manavasi 67 Virarakkiyam to Dindigul Junction 76 Karur Junction to Namakkal 86 Moorthipalayam 91 Pugalur 97 Noyal 103 Kodumudi 109 Unjalur 115 Kolanalli 122 Pasur 130 Chavadipalayam to Salem Junction 141 Erode Junction on Jolarpettai–Shoranur line to Coimbatore Junction

History

The construction of this line began connecting South Indian Railway and Madras Railway. Erode Junction on Jolarpettai–Shoranur line was under Madras Railway whereas Tiruchirappalli Junction was under South Indian Railway.^[2]

High-speed trial

A high-speed trial run has been conducted along this line to increase the speed of trains. This trial run at 125kmph was attempted to increase the operating speed of trains from 100kmph to 110kmph along this section.^[3]

Gauge conversion

The metre-gauge line has been converted into broad gauge during 1929. In September 1929, the entire stretch of 141 kilometres (88 mi) has been completely converted into broad gauge in just 5 hours of time. The first broad-gauge train from Erode Junction reached Tiruchirappalli Junction, exactly 5 hours after the reach of last metre-gauge train.^[4] The route has been electrified in February 2018.^[5]

References

1. "South Zone Time Table - 2016" (PDF). Southern Railway zone. Railway Board. pp. 111–114, 216. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
2. Shodhganga. Origin and Development of Southern Railway (PDF). pp. 61–62. Retrieved 2 December 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
3. irfca (16 December 2008). "IR History part-VII (2000 to present)". Chronology of Railways in India (part-7). Retrieved 2 December 2016.
4. Subramhanyan (8 September 2013). Keeping track of Railway history. Retrieved 2 December 2016. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
5. "First-ever electric loco lugs goods train from Erode to Tiruchi". The Hindu. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.