ImportMaster at 10:57, 24 April 2022

2022-04-24T10:57:00Z

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{{short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
|name = Mannai Express
| type = [[Express trains in India|Express]]
| status = Operating
| image =Name board of Tiruchendur and Mannai Express.jpg
|image_size=350px| caption =Name board of Mannai Express
| locale = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| first = {{Start date |df=yes|2011|09|27}}
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone]]
| start = {{stnlnk|Chennai Egmore}} (MS)
| end = {{stnlnk|Mannargudi}}('''MQ''')
| distance = {{convert|357|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 07 hours 25 minutes
| frequency = daily
| class = First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General
|stops = 11
| seating = Available
| sleeping = Available
| autorack = Not available
| catering = Not available
| observation = Rake sharing with 16105 / 16106 [[Chendur Express]]
| entertainment = Not available
| baggage = Below the seats
| stock = MQ-MS AJJ WAP 4 / RPM WAP7 25KvA
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm|allk=on}}
| trainnumber = 16179 / 16180
| speed = {{convert|48|km/h|abbr=on}} (average with halts)
| map = [[File:Mannai Express (Chennai - Mannargudi) Route map.jpg|250px]]
| map_state =
}}
[[File:Tiruchendur Express and Mannai Express.jpg|thumb|278x278px|Mannai Express halting at Chennai Egmore]]
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2492226.ece|title=Introduction of Mannai, daily operation of Chendur, shot in the arm for delta districts|date=28 September 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=3 March 2012}}</ref>

==History==
This train initially ran through {{stnlnk|Nidamangalam Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Thanjavur Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Kumbakonam}}, {{stnlnk|Mayiladuthurai Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Chidambaram}}, [[Viluppuram Junction railway station|Villupuram Junction]], {{stnlnk|Tambaram}} and reaches {{stnlnk|Chennai Egmore}}. But this train is '''rerouted''' via Nidamangalam Junction, {{stnlnk|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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Renganathan|first=L.|date=2017-10-28|title=Move to divert Mannai Express deplored|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/move-to-divert-mannai-express-deplored/article19937594.ece|access-date=2021-05-09|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The technical reasons railways quoted are:

# 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.
#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.
#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]].<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/temporary-stoppage-for-trains-at-melmaruvathur/article7501303.ece], ''thehindu.com'', 05 August 2015</ref>

As with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:orange;"| Loco
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightpink;"| 1
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightpink;"| 2
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 3
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 4
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 5
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 6
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 7
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 8
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 9
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 10
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 11
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 12
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 13
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lime;"| 14
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lime;"| 15
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!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 17
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 18
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightpink;"| 19
|-
|[[File:BSicon LDER.svg|25px]] ||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 {{convert|357|km|0|abbr=on}} 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 {{convert|55|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, 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 {{stnlnk|Tambaram}} via {{stnlnk|Chengalpattu Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Viluppuram Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Cuddalore Port Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Chidambaram}}, {{stnlnk|Sirkazhi}}, {{stnlnk|Mayiladuthurai Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Thiruvarur Junction}}, {{stnlnk|Nidamangalam Junction}}, Mannargudi

Electrification of the route is in progress, a [[Diesel Loco Shed, Erode|Erode]]-based [[Indian locomotive class WDM-3A|WDM-3A]] diesel locomotive powers the train to its destination.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://indiarailinfo.com/train/15415 16179 Mannai Express]
* [https://indiarailinfo.com/train/15416 16180 Mannai Express]

{{Railways in Southern India}}

[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2011]]
[[Category:Transport in Chennai]]
[[Category:Transport in Mannargudi]]
[[Category:Express trains in India]]

Mannai Express - Revision history

ImportMaster at 10:57, 24 April 2022