Coimbatore–Rameswaram Express Explained

Coimbatore–Rameswaram Express
Type:	Express
Locale:	Tamil Nadu
Operator:	Southern Railways
Start:	Coimbatore city Junction
Stops:	14
End:	Rameswaram
Distance:	507.5km (315.3miles)
Journeytime:	11 hours 40 minutes
Frequency:	Weekly
Class:	AC Two Tier, AC Three Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved, SLR.
Seating:	Yes
Sleeping:	Yes
Catering:	No
Trainnumber:	16617/16618
Speed:	46km/h average with halts

Coimbatore–Rameswaram express (Train Nos 16617/16618) is an express weekly train run by Indian Railways between Coimbatore city Junction and Rameswaram. The train made its inaugural run on 17 September 2013.

This train is mainly introduce to compensate the Coimbatore Rameswaram daily Meter Gauge express via Madurai, Pollachi since this train has been discontinued due to gauge conversion of dindigul-pollachi line. Though gauge conversion completed, it never restored till date (but ran as a limited run festival special train after gauge conversion for a period of 1 month). So this train(16617/16618) will run to compensate the Meter Gauge express.^[1]

Service and schedule

The train starts on Tuesdays from Coimbatore and on Wednesdays from Rameswaram, covering the total distance of in approximately 12 hours.

Route and stations

This train passes through 14 intermediate stations including Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Karaikkudi, Devakottai Road, Sivaganga and Manamadurai. Previously this train also had stoppages at Chettinad and Kodumudi.

Train No 16618 Coimbatore Rameswaram Express^[2]

1. Coimbatore Junction
2. Tiruppur
3. Erode Junction
4. Karur Junction
5. Tiruchirappalli Junction
6. Pudukkottai
7. Karaikkudi Junction
8. Devakottai Road
9. Sivaganga (w.e.f 18-07-2023 as per pre-covid Stoppage on an experimental basis for a period of 6 months)
10. Manamadurai Junction
11. Paramakudi
12. Ramanathapuram
13. Mandapam
14. Rameswaram.

Train No 16617 Rameswaram Coimbatore Express

(* - Additional Stoppages when compared with 16618)^[3]

1. Rameswaram
2. Mandapam
3. Ramanathapuram
4. Paramakudi
5. Manamadurai Junction
6. Sivaganga
7. Devakottai Road
8. Karaikkudi Junction
9. Pudukkottai
10. Tiruchirappalli Junction
11. Karur Junction
12. Erode Junction
    1. Tiruppur Coimbatore North Junction

• 1. Coimbatore Junction

Rake composition

This train shares its rake with Coimbatore Rajkot Express

• 1 AC II tier
• 3 AC III tier
• 14 sleeper coaches
• 2 general
• 2 second-class luggage/parcel van

External links

• 16618 Time Table & Live Running Status
• 16617 Time Table & Live Running Status

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-09-23. After 10 years, Southern Railway reintroduces Rameswaram-Coimbatore train. 2021-08-26. The News Minute. en.
2. Web site: Solanki. Sonu. 16618/Coimbatore - Rameswaram Express - Coimbatore to Rameswaram SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry. 2021-12-31. indiarailinfo.com.
3. Web site: Solanki. Sonu. 16618/Coimbatore - Rameswaram Express - Coimbatore to Rameswaram SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry. 2021-12-31. indiarailinfo.com.