Railway effects traction change in three trains

Consequent to the conversion of the Erode -Tiruchi broad gauge section from non-electrified to electrified line, Southern Railway has effected traction change in three trains leaving from Tiruchi Junction. A written communication from the Electrical Engineering Branch of the Southern Railway headquarters has already been sent to the senior officials of Tiruchi, Salem and Palakkad divisions.

As per the change, the Coimbatore - Mayiladuthurai- Coimbatore Jan Shatabdi expresses (Train No. 12083/12084), Tiruchi-Palakkad Town - Tiruchi passengers (Train No. 56712/56713) and Tiruchi - Erode - Tiruchi passengers (Train No. 56110 / 56109) are the trains which will run on electric traction, said Southern Railway sources.

However, the Jan Shabtadi expresses will be hauled by electric locomotive only in the Coimbatore - Tiruchi-Coimbatore section since the stretch from Tiruchi to Mayiladuthurai was yet to be electrified.

The loco change-over for the Jan Shatabdhi express train will take place upon arrival at Tiruchi junction in both direction.

The traction change from diesel to electric for these three trains in both direction came into effect from September 8, according to railway sources.

The 140-km Tiruchi - Erode broad gauge section via Karur was electrified early this year with the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) according mandatory clearance in February for operation of electric loco hauled trains in this single line section after inspecting the stretch following completion of overhead electrification works that was carried out by the Central Organisation of Railway Electrification (CORE).

A senior railway official said some freight trains were already being hauled by electric locomotive in the Tiruchi - Erode section after it was energised. The electric loco link of the Southern Railway had been revised as a result of which the traction change from diesel to electric loco have been effected in the three trains from Tiruchi.

The official said electric traction was cheaper than diesel and it would help Railways in cutting down mounting fuel bills substantially in the longer run. Further, electric locomotives were pollution free as compared to diesel loco and have better acceleration.

The Erode- Tiruchi BG section was one among the major stretch to get electrified in the Southern Railway zone. Electrification works were currently under way in the Karur - Salem broad gauge section, Tiruchi - Thanjavur and Thanjavur - Tiruvarur - Karaikal broad gauge sections. These projects were being carried out by the CORE.


ON TRACK

1. Electric traction cheaper than diesel and will help railways in cutting down mounting fuel bills

2. Electric locomotives are pollution free as compared to diesel locos and have better acceleration

3. Erode - Tiruchi line, is one among the major stretch to get electrified in the zone

4. This section was electrified early this year with CRS according mandatory clearance in February

Source