Rameswaram–Okha Express
.jpg) Okha–Rameswaram Express near Dwarka. | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| First service | 9 November 2006 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railways | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | Rameswaram (RMM) Okha (OKHA) | ||||
| Stops | 43 | ||||
| Distance travelled | 3,153 km (1,959 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 58 hours 15 mins | ||||
| Service frequency | Weekly | ||||
| Train number(s) | 16733 / 16734 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Observation facilities | Large windows | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB coach | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 53 km/h (33 mph) average including halts | ||||
| |||||
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The 16733 / 16734 Rameswaram–Okha Express is an Express train belonging to Indian Railways – Madurai Division of the Southern Railway zone that runs between Rameswaram and Okha in India.
It operates as train number 16733 from Rameswaram to Okha and as train number 16734 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Since 8th March 2024, this train runs with LHB coach.
History[edit]
It is one of the very first train which is operated from Rameswaram immediately after Gauge Conversion of Manamadurai–Rameswaram line from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge. This train is operated in such a long circuitous route because during its introduction, most of the railway lines in India are under gauge conversion from narrower gauges to broad gauge, so this train is operated using existing railway routes at that time. This train was originally introduced between Madurai and Manamad. Later this train was extended in both sides i.e. From Madurai it was extended until Rameswaram and from Manamad it was extended until Okha.[1] At initial days of operation, its maintenance is done at Madurai, after constructing a railway maintenance yard at Rameswaram, the maintenance of this train has been shifted from Madurai to Rameswaram. At present, It is the only train from southern part of Tamil Nadu such as Madurai, Rameswaram which are directly connected with the Manamad, Aurangabad areas of Maharashtra.
Coaches[edit]
The train has standard LHB rakes with a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 21 coaches:[2]
- 2 AC II Tier
- 8 AC III Tier
- 6 Sleeper coaches
- 2 General Unreserved
- 2 EOG cars
- 1 Pantry car
As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
Service[edit]
16733/Rameswaram–Okha Express covers the distance of 3,153 km (1,959 mi) in 59 hours 50 mins (49 km/h)
16734/Okha–Rameswaram Express covers the distance of 3,153 km (1,959 mi) in 58 hours 35 mins (53 km/h).
Route & halts[edit]
The 16733 / 16734 Rameswaram–Okha Express runs from Rameswaram via Manamadurai Junction, Madurai Junction, Salem Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Katpadi Junction, Tirupati, Yerraguntla Junction, Dhone Junction, Kacheguda, Nizamabad Junction, Hazur Sahib Nanded, Parbhani Junction, Jalna, Aurangabad, Manmad Junction, Jalgaon Junction, Surat, Vadodara Junction, Ahmedabad Junction, Viramgam Junction, Surendranagar Junction, Wankaner Junction, Rajkot Junction, Jamnagar, Dwarka to Okha.[3]
At present it is the only direct express train that runs from Rameswaram to nearby places of Mumbai such as Manmad and Surat.
Schedule[edit]
| Train number | Station code | Departure station | Departure time | Departure day | Arrival station | Arrival time | Arrival day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16733 | RMM | Rameswaram | 22:30 PM | Friday | Okha | 10:20 AM | Monday |
| 16734 | OKHA | Okha | 08:40 AM | Tuesday | Rameswaram | 19:15 PM | Thursday |
Traction[edit]
Both trains are hauled by a Golden Rock Loco Shed based WDP-4D or Golden Rock Loco Shed based WDG-3A diesel locomotive between Rameswaram and Madurai Junction. After Madurai Junction, both trains are hauled by a Erode Loco Shed based WAP-4 or Arakkonam Loco Shed based WAP-4 or Gooty Loco Shed based WAG-9 electric locomotive up to Kacheguda and from Kacheguda it hauled by Guntakal Loco Shed based WDM-3D twins upto Okha and vice versa.
References[edit]
- ^ "Extension of Madurai-Manmad express to be flaged off on Feb 27". news.webindia123.com. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ Ayyappan, V (28 August 2014). "Southern Railway speeds up 31 trains". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ [1], South Central Railway, 8 July 2015
External links[edit]
- 16733 Rameswaram - Okha Express at India Rail Info
- 16734 Okha - Rameswaram Express at India Rail Info
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