Nellai Express

Nellai Express
	Nellai Express at Tirunelveli Junction with WDP-4B Loco
Overview
Service type	Express
Status	Operating
Locale	Tamil Nadu
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway zone
Route
Termini	Tirunelveli Junction (TEN); Chennai Egmore (MS)
Stops	13
Distance travelled	650 km (400 mi)
Average journey time	11 hours, 10 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	12631/12632
Line(s) used	Tirunelveli–Tiruchirappalli line (TENTooltip Tirunelveli Junction railway station – TPJTooltip Tiruchirappalli Junction railway station); Chord line (TPJTooltip Tiruchirappalli Junction – VMTooltip Viluppuram Junction railway station); Chennai Egmore–Thanjavur line (VMTooltip Viluppuram Junction railway station – MSTooltip Chennai Egmore)
On-board services
Class(es)	2A, 3A, SL, SLR, SLRD and UR/GS
Disabled access
Seating arrangements	Corridor coach (UR/GS only)
Sleeping arrangements	Couchette car
Auto-rack arrangements	No
Catering facilities	No
Observation facilities	Windows in all carriages
Entertainment facilities	No
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks ; Baggage carriage
Technical
Rolling stock	Locomotive: (WAP 7) ; (WAP-4) ; Bogie:; One AC 2-tier (2A); Six AC 3-tier (3A); Twelve II SL; Three UR/GS; Two SLR
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	25 kV AC, 50 Hz
Operating speed	Average:58 kilometres per hour (36 mph); Maximum: 91 kilometres per hour (57 mph)
Track owner(s)	Southern Railway zone
Timetable number(s)	7/7A
Route map
Route map

Nellai Express is a Superfast Express operated in and by the Southern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It runs on all days connecting Tirunelveli Junction with Chennai Egmore via Tiruchirappalli and Madurai through the chord line.

Numbering and route

Past Number

119/120
6119/6120
2631/2632

Current Number

12631/12632

As per the new numbering system, this train is assigned the number 12631 for the downward direction (Chennai Egmore – Tirunelveli) and 12632 for the upward direction (Tirunelveli – Chennai Egmore). In the downward direction, the train departs at 20.10 hours and reaches Tirunelveli at 07:20 hours next day. In the upward direction, the train departs at 19.40 hours and reaches Chennai at 06.55 hours. It covers the distance of 650 kilometres (400 mi) in less than 12 hours with major stoppings at Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Viluppuram and terminus at Chennai Egmore/Tirunelveli Junction. It is also one of the oldest commuter trains in India. It has 24 coaches. This train now runs end to end with WAP-7 locomotive from Royapuram Loco Shed.

On 3 February 2015 Nellai express (12631), reached 1 hr 5 mins ahead of schedule at Thalaiyuthu station 3km before Tirunelveli Junction, which is a record for Southern Railways. But Tirunelveli Jn gave green signal only at the scheduled time.^[2]

Relevance

The city of Tirunelveli is commonly referred to as "Nellai" based on the presiding deity of the temple "Nellaiappar" an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Hence the name "Nellai Express".

Stations

Enroute

Train number 12631 leaves Chennai Egmore at 20:10 hrs, arrives at Trichy Jn. about 01:35 hrs and Madurai Junction at 04:00 hrs before reaching Tirunelveli Junction at 07:20 hrs.

Usually the train departs Chennai Egmore from Platform No. 7.

Train number 12632 leaves Tirunelveli Junction at 19:40 hrs, arrives at Madurai Junction about 22:05 hrs and Trichy Jn. at 00:50 hrs before reaching Chennai Egmore at 06:55 hrs.

Usually the train departs Tirunelveli from Platform No. 1.

Coach Composition

Total number of Coaches - 24

=> Coach Composition of 12631/12632 Nellai SF Express

Coach type	Expansion	Quantity
2AC	AC Two Tier	1
3AC	AC Three Tier	6
SL	Sleeper Class	12
2S	Second Sitting	3
SLR	Seating Cum Luggage	2

The train has Rake Sharing Agreement (RSA) with Pothigai Express, fellow SF express to Sengottai through the chordline.

Coach Position

12631 : Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
	SLR	UR	UR	S12	S11	S10	S9	S8	S7	S6	S5	S4	S3	S2	S1	B6	B5	B4	B3	B2	B1	A1	UR	SLR

12632 : Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore

Loco	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
	SLR	UR	A1	B1	B2	B3	B4	B5	B6	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6	S7	S8	S9	S10	S11	S12	UR	UR	SLR

In popular culture

It is among the fastest trains on the Chord line between Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli Junction and has a good reputation for punctuality.

Its popularity amongst fans is high in the area served by Southern Railways. It was the first train to Tirunelveli in Madurai Division hauled by the most prestigious loco of Indian Railways, the WAP-7 (RPM).

References

^ ^a ^b "Southern Railway – Time Table 2016" (PDF). Southern Railway zone. Chennai: Railway Board. October 2016. pp. 104–108. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
^ "நம்பினால் நம்புங்கள்... ஒரு மணி நேரம் முன்னதாக வந்து சாதனை படைத்த ரயில் [Believe it or not... Nellai Express arrives record an hour earlier]". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Tirunelveli. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

External links

[tt2k16-1] "Southern Railway – Time Table 2016" (PDF). Southern Railway zone. Chennai: Railway Board. October 2016. pp. 104–108. Retrieved 26 October 2016.

[advn-2] "நம்பினால் நம்புங்கள்... ஒரு மணி நேரம் முன்னதாக வந்து சாதனை படைத்த ரயில் [Believe it or not... Nellai Express arrives record an hour earlier]". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Tirunelveli. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

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