Spotting
 Timeline
 Travel Tip
 Trip
 Race
 Social
 Greeting
 Poll
 Img
 PNR
 Pic
 Blog
 News
 Conf TL
 RF Club
 Convention
 Monitor
 Topic
 #
 Rating
 Correct
 Wrong
 Stamp
 PNR Ref
 PNR Req
 Blank PNRs
 HJ
 Vote
 Pred
 @
 FM Alert
 FM Approval
 Pvt
Login
Sun May 5 05:22:25 IST
dark mode

RailCal app

site support

Ballari Jn - Look around and enjoy the station. A sacred place where Mahatma Gandhi once spent 8 hours. - Vishwanath Joshi

Login
Trains
ΣChains
Atlas
PNR
Forum
Quiz
Topics
Gallery
News
FAQ
Trips
Search Forum
Filters:
Page#    7 Blog Entries  <<prev  
Rail Fanning
1010601 views
5

May 06 2016 (00:15)   12279/Taj Express | VGLJ/VGL Jhansi Junction (8 PFs)
 
AmravatiSuperfast~
AmravatiSuperfast~   598 blog posts
Entry# 1834299            Tags   Past Edits
"What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." But our favorite trains would not...
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF YOUR FAVORITE TRAIN NAME ??
Let's make a list of train names, their meanings and for what they are named. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE.
#Taj Express: This train got its name due to Taj Mahal in...
more...
Agra.
#Tamralipta Express:
#Tapaswini Express:
#Tapovan Express: Derived from Forest Tapovan in Nashik.
#Tapti Ganga Express: This train got its name due to Tapti River.
#Tea Garden Express:
#Tebagha Express:
#Teesta Torsa Express: Named after the twin rivers Teesta and Torsa in northeastern India.
#Telangana Express:
#Thanjavur Express:
#Thar Express:
#Thirukkural Express:
#Tippu Express:
#Tirhut Express:
#Tirumala Express:
#Trishatabdi Express:
#Triveni Express:
#Tulsi Express:
#Tungabhadra Express: One of the most prestigious train between Secunderabad-Kurnool city-Secunderabad. This train crosses Thungabhadra river near Kurnool city.
Kurnool city is only one city in India which lies between two rivers one is Thungabhadra and Hundri rivers.
#Udyan Abha Toofan Express:
#Udyan Express:
#Udyog Nagari Express:
#Udyogkarmi Express:
#Ujjaini Express:
#Unchahar Express:
#Upasana Express:
#Upper India Express:
#Utsarg Express:
#Uttar Banga Express:
#Uttaranchal Express:
#Uzhavan Express:
#Vaigai Express:
#Vaishali Express:
#Vanachal Express: Vananchal is one of the name of ancient Ranchi.
#Vanchinad Express:
#Varuna Express:
#Veer Bhumi Chittourgarh Express:
#Venad Express:
#Venkatadri Express: Express runs between Kacheguda-Chittoor-Kacheguda. The name Venkatadri refers one of the name of seven hills in Tirupathi. This train passes through Tirupathi.
#Vibhuti Express:
#Vidarbha Express:
#Vikramshila Express: Named after the ancient Vikramshila University, a center of Buddhist learning, dating to 800 AD established by King Dharmpala of Pala empire, in modern day Bhagalpur district. Train started in mid-seventies as 167 up / 168 down Vikramshila Express from BGP to DLI. The train departed from BGP twice a week at 14:20 and reached NDLS at 10:55 next day. 1220 kms in 20:40 hours at average speed of 59 km/hr. Later the arrival time at NDLS was changed to 11:55. Train was hauled by steam engine till MGS and then Electric engine to NDLS. Stops were Jamalpur, Kiul, Mokama, Bakhtiarpur, Patna, Ara, Buxar, Mughalsarai, Allahabad, Kanpur. It was one of the 20 super fast trains of Indian railways at that time. In mid-eighties the train was made daily from Bhagalpur and run combined with Magadh express between Patna and New Delhi. July 2003, Vikramshila and Magadh were separated. Vikramshila started running between BGP and NDLS with no commercial stop between PNBE and NDLS.
#Vindhyachal Express:
#Visaka Express:
#Vivek Express: This train is got its name and introduce in honor of Swami Vivekanand.
#Wainganga Express:
#West Coast Express:
#Yelagiri Express:
#Yercaud Express:
#Yoga Express:
#Yuva Express:
#Ziyarat Express:
Translate to English
Translate to Hindi
3 Public Posts - Fri May 06, 2016
2 Public Posts - Tue May 10, 2016
1 Public Posts - Wed May 11, 2016
1 Public Posts - Fri May 20, 2016
General Travel
1070243 views
25

★★★
Aug 05 2013 (21:17)   16701/Chennai Egmore-Rameswaram ( Boat Mail ) Express
 
maheshsunda~
maheshsunda~   7047 blog posts
Entry# 821444            Tags   Past Edits
Pictures: Rameshwaram Express Nameboard and rakes, Kapaleeshwara Temple, Chennai, Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Rameshwaram, The Dhanushkodi Pier, and Pamban Viaduct and Indira Gandhi Road Bridge.
#KnowYourTrain: The Boat Mail (aka Rameshwaram Express). #TrainNo: 16101/02 (WEF September 1, 2013; Old No. 16701/02)
#Objective: At the time of introduction: To connect India and Sri Lanka; Current: Provides connection to the island of Jyotirlinga Shrine of Rameshwaram from the capital city of #TN, #Chennai. Runs almost parallel to the Bay of Bengal.
...
more...
#Etymology: The name of the train commemorates the 19th century communication service between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka mail service.
#InauguralRun: On the present route, February 24, 1914 (#Centurion)
#RakeMaker: ICF, #RakeSharing: Dedicated Rake, #Loco: Usually #TNP WDM3A
#Distance: 667 km, #Halts: 22, #IntermediateStations: 117
#Speed: 47 kmph, #FastestSection: 77 PMK-RMD, #SlowestSection: 8 PBM.
#NativeZone: SR (intrazone train), #State: #TN (intrastate train).
#DaysofRun: Daily, #Classes: 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, SL, UR, SLR.
#MajorLanguages: Tamil.
#Districts: Kanchipuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram.
#MajorTowns/Cities/Attractions En Route:
#ChennaiEgmore (MS): 6th century World Heritage sites of Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram, the land of 1000 temples.
#Chengalpattu (CGL), #Villupuram (VM)
#Cuddalore (CUPJ): Alight here for Puducherry (#Pondicherry) Shri Aurobindo Ashram and the French global city of Auroville, 25 km. Buy Panruti jackfruit and cashews here.
#Chidambaram: World-famous NatarajaTemple
#Mayiladuthurai (MV): Navagraha Temples and other destinations like Nagore Dargah, Velankanni Church, Poompuhar Beach, and Vedaranyam/Kodiyakarai Bird Sanctuary.
#Kumbakonam (KMU): NavagrahaTemples (Temples for Nine Planets –Dosha Nivarana Temples) and lots of other temples. Requires at least 4-5 days to make non-stop visits to all major temples of Kumbakonam and its surroundings.
#Thanjavur (TJ): 10th century Brahadeeshwara Temple, Maratha Palace, and Tiruvayaru, the Birth Place of St. Thyagaraja, the father of Carnatic Classical Music.
#Tiruchirapalli (TPJ): Magnificent Sriragam Temple, 2nd century Grand Anicut Dam (still intact) built by the Grand Cholas, and RockFort Temple.
#Pudukottai (PDKT)/#Karaikkudi (KKDI): Chettinad Palace and Cuisine.
#Sivagangai (SVG)
#Ramanathapuram (RMD): Ervadi Dargah.
#Rameshwaram (RMM): Pamban/IG Road Bridge, The Jyotirlinga Shrine of Ramanatha Swamy, Tracing the footpath of Lord Ram, Pitru Pinda Dhaan Kshetra, and Marine Biosphere.
#MajorRivers/Lakes/Water Bodies:
#MS: Couum and Adyar
#CGL: Kolavai Lake adjacent to the station, Palar after CGL, and Madurantagam Lake
#VM: Panampet Lake after VM
#CUPJ: South Pennar before Panruti, Kedilam before CUPJ, Vellar after CUPJ, and Coleroon after CDM
#MV: #Cauvery.
#TJ: Arasalar at KMU and Vennar, a tributary of Cauvery, before TJ. Also runs parallel to #Cauvery from MV to TPJ along one of the most fertile regions and the #ricebowl of TN.
#PDKT: Vellar
#RMD: Vaigai before PMK and Bay of Bengal (Palk Straits) before RMM.
#BriefHistory:
The Boat Mail’s history is a lot older than the popular perception. In the 19th century, the Boat Mail commenced its journey as a rail-cum-ferry service and was operated from #Madras (#Chennai) and #Talaimannar (#SriLanka) via #Tuticorin. The train service used to be till Tuticorin rather than the present day Rameshwaram. From Tuticorin, a steamer service used to carry passengers to Talaimannar. This train took almost a day to reach Tuticorin from Chennai and was equipped with vestibules as of 1898 itself (probably the first ever train to have such a facility). During those times, there was no rail or road connection between Mainland India and the Rameshwaram Island.
In 1914, the #Pamban Bridge was inaugurated (also a #Centurion) and rail connectivity was established between Chennai and Rameshwaram and the end point of Boat Mail was changed to the now defunct and Tsunami-ravaged ghost town of #Danushkodi for the convenience of lesser sea travel of just 35 km against a much longer travel from Tuticorin.
This service took passengers to the world-famous Dhanushkodi pier, where a steamer heading for Talaimannar in Sri Lanka was anchored adjacent to the railway station. Under a special arrangement, a combined rail-cum-ferry ticket was on sale for Talaimannar passengers using Boat Mail. Similarly, the ferry service fare from Talaimannar included rail ticket charges. The train was also known as “Indo-Ceylon Express.”
As people of high stature and foreigners traveled by this train, it was equipped with a canteen on wheels. There was no road link to Rameswaram Island those days, and as such adequate number of luggage vans was attached to this train for transporting goods to the island.
On December 24, 1964, a cyclone (now being acknowledged in some quarters as probably being a Tsunami) washed away the entire town of Dhanushkodi, the pier, and a fully-loaded passenger train proceeding to Dhanushkodi. The damage was irrevocable and the tracks are still buried under huge sand dunes of Dhanushkodi. One has to visit the place personally to understand the fury of nature. From then onwards, operations of the train were short-terminated at Rameshwaram. The services of Boat Mail were suspended in May 2003 on the main line owing to the closure of the track between Thanjavur and Kumbakonam for gauge conversion work. In the meantime, the Boat Mail was run via chord line after the completion of gauge conversion works on the Tiruchi-Rameswaram section. With the main line on the BG map, the train was promptly restored to its original route of Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Thanjavur joining at Tiruchirappalli.
#Specialty: Centurion (both Boat Mail and Pamban Viaduct).
#Conclusion: No doubt, Boat Mail is one of the #Legendary trains of India, continuing to serve the people tirelessly every day. The rakes of this train are not so good and require immediate attention. At least in the centenary year, IR should do justice to this train. Is SR listening?
***
Post Edited to include Cauvery crossing @ MV on clarification from one of our ever-reliable Admins, PSK.
Translate to English
Translate to Hindi
1 Public Posts - Mon Aug 05, 2013
1 Public Posts - Tue Aug 06, 2013
5 Public Posts - Thu Aug 08, 2013
Page#    7 Blog Entries  <<prev  

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Bottom
Go to Desktop site
Important Note: This website NEVER solicits for Money or Donations. Please beware of anyone requesting/demanding money on behalf of IRI. Thanks.
Disclaimer: This website has NO affiliation with the Government-run site of Indian Railways. This site does NOT claim 100% accuracy of fast-changing Rail Information. YOU are responsible for independently confirming the validity of information through other sources.
India Rail Info Privacy Policy