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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]

Mannai Express

Name board of Mannai Express
Overview
Service type	Express
Status	Operating
Locale	Tamil Nadu
First service	27 September 2011 (2011-09-27)
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway zone
Route
Termini	Chennai Egmore (MS) Mannargudi(MQ)
Stops	11
Distance travelled	357 km (222 mi)
Average journey time	07 hours 25 minutes
Service frequency	daily
Train number(s)	16179 / 16180
On-board services
Class(es)	First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General
Seating arrangements	Available
Sleeping arrangements	Available
Auto-rack arrangements	Not available
Catering facilities	Not available
Observation facilities	Rake sharing with 16105 / 16106 Chendur Express
Entertainment facilities	Not available
Baggage facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	MQ-MS AJJ WAP 4 / RPM WAP7 25KvA
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	48 km/h (30 mph) (average with halts)
Route map

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 taken this decision due to some technical reasons caused by this train. But people from Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, 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
	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

External links

• 16179 Mannai Express
• 16180 Mannai Express

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