https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Silambu_ExpressSilambu Express - Revision history2026-08-05T14:54:51ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Silambu_Express&diff=535872&oldid=prevMDPOliva97: new new article - done2025-07-19T08:34:09Z<p>new new article - done</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}<br />
{{Infobox rail service<br />
| name = Silambu Superfast Express<br />
| image= Silambu Express Name Board.jpg<br />
| image_width = 250px<br />
| caption = Silambu Express at Chennai Egmore.<br />
| type = Super Fast train<br />
| locale = [[Tamil Nadu]]<br />
| first ={{Start date|df=yes|2013|06|22}}<br />
| last =<br />
| operator = [[Southern Railway zone|Southern Railways]]<br />
| ridership =<br />
| start = {{stnlnk|Chennai Egmore}}<br />
| stops = 21<br />
| end = {{stnlnk|Sengottai}}<br />
| distance = {{convert|683|km|abbr=on}}<br />
| journeytime = 12 hours 20 mins<br />
| frequency = Tri-weekly<br />
| class = AC First, AC Two Tier, AC Three Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved<br />
| seating = No<br />
| sleeping = Yes<br />
| autorack =<br />
| catering = <br />
| observation = Large windows<br />
| entertainment = No<br />
| baggage = <br />
| otherfacilities=<br />
| stock = <br />
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}<br />
| el =Partially electrified (till Virudhunagar Junction)<br />
| trainnumber = 20681 / 20682<br />
| routenumber = 8 / 8A<ref name=timetable>{{cite web|title=Time Table of Chennai Egmore - Rameswaram (Main Line)|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1375157384199-Table_1-10_Pages%2051-112_SRS.pdf|work=[[Indian Railways]]|publisher=[[Southern Railway zone]]|access-date=2 February 2014|pages=43{{ndash}}44 (93{{ndash}}94)}}</ref><br />
|maintenance=Tambaram Railway Yard| speed = {{convert|52.5|km/h|abbr=on}} average with halts<br />
|sharing=Tambaram Nagercoil Triweekly Express| map = [[File:Silambu Express (Chennai - Manmadurai) Route map.png|thumb|320px|Silambu Express Route map]]<br />
| map_state =<br />
}}<br />
<br />
The '''Silambu Super fast Express''' (20681/20682) is a train that runs between {{stnlnk|Chennai Egmore}} and {{stnlnk|Sengottai}} via {{stnlnk|Karaikkudi Junction}}. Initially it ran up to [[Manamadurai]], later it was extended up to [[Sengottai]].<ref>Rail news http://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=5767</ref> It was the only train in Indian Railways where LHB rakes were replaced by [[ICF coach]]es again. According to IR if a train gets new LHB coaches it won't be converted to ICF. But this train was again replaced with ICF coaches after getting new LHB rakes.<br />
<br />
==History ==<br />
[[File:Silambu Express LHB coaches halted at Manamadurai.jpg|thumb|Chennai Egmore - Manamadurai Jn. Silambu Express [[LHB coach]]es halted at Manamadurai Junction]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Manamadurai Silambu Express at Chennai Egmore.jpg|thumb|2nd set of brand new LHB coaches was received by Southern Railway for 16181/16182 Silambu Express]]<br />
<br />
[[File:SILAMBU EXPRESS.jpg|thumb|Chennai Egmore - Manamadurai Jn. Silambu Express halted at Manamadurai Junction]]<br />
<br />
[[File:Manamadurai Chennai Silambu Express.jpg|thumb|Manamadurai Chennai Silambu Express 2nd platform of Manamadurai Jn.]]<br />
<br />
The name of the train commemorates [[Kannagi]], a legendary Tamil woman who is the protagonist of the South Indian epic ''[[Cilappatikaram]]'' (100–300 CE) who used her ''silambu'' (anklet) to prove her husband Kovalan's innocence, who was executed by the [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]] king.It is a standard train consisting of commercial coaches. The train operates tri-weekly in each direction and covers a distance of 683&nbsp;km. Initially, the train was announced between Chennai Egmore and Karaikudi Junction but due to public demand it started its Maiden Run until [[Manamadurai Junction railway station|Manamadurai]] via [[Sivaganga railway station|Sivagangai]] Instead of Terminating at [[Karaikkudi Junction railway station|Karaikudi Junction]]. From 04/03/2017 onwards this train was further extended to [[Sengottai railway station|Sengottai]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Finally, Silambu Express to go up to Sengottai - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/finally-silambu-express-to-go-up-to-sengottai/articleshow/57471618.cms|access-date=2020-12-17|website=The Times of India|date=5 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> via [[Aruppukkottai railway station|Aruppukkottai]], [[Virudhunagar Junction railway station|Virudhunagar Junction]], [[Sivakasi railway station|Sivakasi]], [[Tenkasi Junction railway station|Tenkasi Junction]]. The Silambu Express was announced in the [[Railway Budget]] 2013 and the service started on 22 June 2013, extended to Sengottai from 5 Mar 2017.<ref>{{cite news | title=Silambu Express right on track | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/silambu-express-right-on-track/article4813058.ece | newspaper=The Hindu | date=14 June 2013 | access-date=23 January 2016 }}</ref> From 25 Feb 2019, the frequency of the service was increased from bi-weekly to tri-weekly.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-02-24|title=Silambu express becomes tri-weekly|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/silambu-express-becomes-tri-weekly/article26357651.ece|access-date=2020-12-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> From April 15, 2022, Chennai Egmore – Sengottai Silambu Express was converted to Superfast category with new number 20681 MS SCT Silambu Superfast Express and Sengottai - Chennai Egmore Silambu express with new number 20682.<br />
<br />
==Coach composition==<br />
<br />
At present,the train has 22 standard ICF utskrit coaches.<br />
<br />
* 1 AC First Class Cum AC Two Tier<br />
* 2 AC Two Tier<br />
* 4 AC Three Tier<br />
* 11 Sleeper Class<br />
* 4 General Unreserved<br />
* 2 Luggage Cum Disabled Coaches.<br />
<br />
Till November 2021, it has different coach composition.<br />
<br />
* 1 AC First Class<br />
* 1 AC Two Tier<br />
* 2 Three Tier<br />
* 8 Sleeper Class<br />
* 6 General Unreserved<br />
* 2 Luggage Cum Disabled Coach.<br />
<br />
When it ran as with LHB coaches only for three trips in 2016, it had different coach composition.<br />
<br />
* 1 AC First Class<br />
* 1 AC Two Tier<br />
* 3 AC Three Tier<br />
* 9 Sleeper Class<br />
* 7 General Unreserved<br />
* 2 End On Generator Cars.<br />
<br />
But due to replacement of ICF Coaches again it was replaced with new coach composition.<br />
<br />
Till October 2017 from its introduction it ran with the following composition,<br />
<br />
* 1 AC Two Tier<br />
* 2 AC Three Tier<br />
* 8 Sleeper Class<br />
* 6 General Unreserved<br />
* 2 Luggage Cum Disabled Coach<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
*[[Boat Mail]]<br />
*[[Pothigai Superfast Express]]<br />
*[[Rockfort Superfast Express]]<br />
*[[Mannai Express]]<br />
*[[Pallavan Superfast Express]]<br />
*[[Sethu Express]]<br />
*[[Cholan Express]]<br />
*[[Uzhavan Express]]<br />
*[[Vaigai Superfast Express]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{Commons category}}<br />
*[http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/ Southern Railways - Official Website]<br />
*[http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=4868&did=148429564639155766D893527DB4DF7D5FD14713C1A14.web91 Southern Railway]<br />
{{Railways in Southern India}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Silambu Express}}<br />
[[Category:Rail transport in Chennai]]<br />
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]<br />
[[Category:Rail transport in Tamil Nadu]]<br />
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2013]]<br />
[[Category:Express trains in India]]</div>MDPOliva97