High-speed trial run on Tiruchi-Villupuram chord line conducted by Tiruchi Division

The Southern Railway has decided to increase the sectional speed of express trains from 110 kmph to 130 kmph on the Villupuram-Tiruchi chord line section via Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur, and Srirangam. Plans are afoot to enhance the sectional speed of express trains on the Tiruchi-Madurai electrified section via Dindigul and Kodai Road.

Sources said the track had been strengthened and other necessary work, including installation of a Double Distant Signal system to enhance safety, were under way. As part of increasing safety, metal fencing has been taken up along vulnerable stretches in the chord line section to prevent entry of cattle from straying on the tracks.

A high-speed trial run was conducted on the over 150-km Tiruchi-Villupuram chord line section via Ariyalur and Vriddhachalam to test track stability and enhance sectional speed. A special train attached with a coach equipped with an Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) traveled at maximum speeds touching 143 kmph in stretches between Valadi-Lalgudi and Puvanur-Ulundurpet, while other stretches saw speeds around 130 kmph. The train left Tiruchi Junction around 8:40 a.m. and reached Villupuram Junction at 10:34 a.m. A team of railway officers from different departments traveled on board.

The Tiruchi Railway Division issued a public advisory a couple of days ago informing the general public about the high-speed trial run that was to be conducted as part of enhancement of sectional speed in the Villupuram-Tiruchi section and requesting them to desist from trespassing across railway tracks.