Ernakulam–Velankanni Express

The 16361/16362 Ernakulam Velankanni Express is a biweekly train service in the Southern Railway zone of India that runs between Ernakulam and Velankanni via Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Kayamkulam, Kollam Junction, Punalur, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Manamadurai, Karaikudi, Tiruturaipundi, and Thiruvarur. This train is helpful for pilgrims from Kerala to reach Velankanni Church and Nagore Dargah.

ERNAKULAM-VELANKANNI BI-WEEKLY EXPRESS
Overview
Service type	Regional rail Express
Status	Operating
Locale	Tamil Nadu & Kerala
First service	28 August 2023; 23 months ago (2023-08-28) (Commercial run)
Current operator(s)	Southern Railway zone
Route
Termini	Ernakulam Junction (ERS) Velankanni(VLNK)
Stops	31
Distance travelled	690 km (430 mi)
Average journey time	16 h 45 m
Service frequency	16361- Mon,Sat 16362- Tue,Sun
Train number(s)	16361/16362
On-board services
Class(es)	AC II Tier, AC III Tier, SL, GS
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	41kmph (Avg)
Average length	320.978m (including engines)
Track owner(s)	Indian Railways
Rake maintenance	PM @ ERS, OEA @ VLNK

Service

This train covers a distance of 690 kilometres (430 mi) with a journey time of approximately 16 3/4 hours.

It runs as a bi-weekly express with train no 16361 on Mondays and Saturdays and 16362 on Sundays and Tuesdays .

The railway board approved a biweekly express on 17/8/2023 and is running with the above numbers.^[1]

It is hauled by ERSX WDG-3A/WDM-3D between Ernakulam and Kollam and the rest of the journey is hauled by a GOCD WDP-4/4D. Currently this is one of the two trains starting from Kerala which is running on diesel traction for end to end journey with the other one being the Poorna Express (ERS PUNE).

Major halts

The major halts in this train are

• Ernakulam Junction
• Kottayam
• Changanasseri
• Thiruvalla
• Chengannur
• Kayamkulam
• Kollam Junction
• Kundara
• Punalur
• Sengottai
• Tenkasi Junction
• Rajapalayam
• Virudhunagar Junction
• Aruppukkottai
• Manamadurai Junction
• Karaikkudi Junction
• Pattukkottai
• Thiruvarur Junction
• Velankanni

Coaches

The train has standard LHB rakes This train does not have rake sharing and have 1 independent rake.

The train consists of 18 coaches:

• 2 AC II Tier
• 4 AC III Tier
• 9 Sleeper coaches
• 3 General Unreserved
• 2 SLR cum Luggage Rake

The number of coaches got increased from 14 to 18 from April 6, 2024, subject to positive inspection report submitted by RDSO to Southern Railway for running 22 LHB/24 ICF coaches in the Ghats section. The number of coaches increased after the extension of platforms in stations along Kollam-Sengottai section to accommodate 24 coaches.^[2]

Direction reversal

The train reverses its direction twice:

• Kollam Junction railway station before entering into Kollam Sengottai Line (Ghat section with an MPS of 30kmph).
• Nagapattinam Junction railway station before entering the line to Velankanni.

See also

• Palaruvi Express
• Ananthapuri Express
• Quilon Mail
• Tea Garden Express
• Kollam–Sengottai Chord Line