Coimbatore–Rameswaram express (Train Nos 16617/16618) is an express weekly train run by Indian Railways between Coimbatore city Junction and Rameswaram. The train made its inaugural run on 17 September 2013.
History This train is mainly introduce to compensate the Coimbatore Rameswaram daily Meter Gauge express via Madurai, Pollachi since this train has been discontinued due to gauge conversion of dindigul-pollachi line. Though gauge conversion completed, it never restored till date (but ran as a limited run festival special train after gauge conversion for a period of 1 month). So this train(16617/16618) will run to compensate the Meter Gauge express.
This train was initially operated as a summer special service from April to June 2012 on Saturdays and Sundays in the number 06010 and 06009 by using the lie over rakes of Kongu Express. But during regularisation of this summer special service, Rajkot express lie-over rakes were allotted due to which the weekend service has been turned into week days service and the Kongu express rakes were allotted to Coimbatore Chennai Central Weekly express.
Several stoppages has been removed for this train after COVID lockdown run but only Sivaganga stoppage alone provided again after restoration of regular service from COVID special service.
On June 16th 2024, this train has been provided with modern LHB coach rakes for efficient operation and additional passenger carrying capacity.
Service and schedule The train starts on Tuesdays from Coimbatore and on Wednesdays from Rameswaram, covering the total distance of in approximately 12 hours.
Route and stations This train passes through 14 intermediate stations including Erode, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Karaikkudi, Devakottai Road, Sivaganga and Manamadurai. Previously this train also had stoppages at Kallal, Chettinad and Kodumudi.
Rake composition This train shares its rake with Coimbatore Rajkot Express 1 AC II tier 3 AC III tier 14 sleeper coaches 2 general 2 second-class luggage/parcel van Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 GRDGENS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8S9S10S11S12S13S14B1B2B3A1GENGRD
References
External links 16618 Time Table & Live Running Status 16617 Time Table & Live Running Status