Login
Login

Southern Railway zone

{{short description|Railway zone of Indian Railways}}

{{Other uses|Southern Railway (disambiguation)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox rail

| railroad_name = Southern Railway

| logo_filename = Southern Railways writing on coach.jpg

| logo_size = 130px

| map_size = 300px

| marks = SR

| image = Indianrailwayzones-numbered.png

| image_size =

| image_caption = 7-Southern Railway

| locale = Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Karnataka

| start_year = {{start date and age|14 April 1951}}

| end_year =

| predecessor_line = South Indian Railway
Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway
Mysore State Railway

| successor_line = Southern Railway
South Coast Railway
South Central Railway
South Western Railway

| old_gauge =
Metre gauge
Narrow gauge

| electrification =

| length = {{Convert|5081|km|abbr=on}} route{{cite web|title=Southern Railway vital statistics|url=http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1547203315572-vital-statistics-2018.pdf|publisher=Southern Railway|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144312/http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1547203315572-vital-statistics-2018.pdf|url-status=live}}

| hq_city = Chennai

| website = {{URL|sr.indianrailways.gov.in|Southern Railway}}

}}

Southern Railway (SR) is one of the eighteen zones of Indian Railways. It is headquartered at Chennai and operates across the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of Puducherry. The origin of the Southern Railway can be traced back to the Madras Railway formed in 1845. Southern Railway was created on 14 April 1951 by merging three state railways, namely, the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway Company, and the Mysore State Railway and became the first railway zone created in newly formed India. Southern Railway maintains about {{Convert|5081|km|abbr=on}} of railway lines and operates 727 railway stations. It has the distinction of operating the first railway line in India, which opened for traffic from Redhills to Chindadripettai in Madras on 12 September 1836.{{Cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sOILAQAAMAAJ | last1=Smith | first1=John Thomas | title=Reports, Correspondence and Original Papers on Various Professional Subjects Connected with the Duties of the Corps of Engineers, Madras Presidency | date=1839 }}

History

{{see also|Timeline of Southern Railway zone|Madras Railway}}

File:60The South Indian Railway.jpg

The history of the Southern Railway can be traced back to the Madras Railway. In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras was made by the British.{{cite report|url=https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/Heritage/2021/PDF/3%20Presentation%20Shradha%20Arora%20IRICEN%202019.pdf|title=Understanding Indian Railway Heritage|publisher=Indian Railways|page=6|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226101121/https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/Heritage/2021/PDF/3%20Presentation%20Shradha%20Arora%20IRICEN%202019.pdf|url-status=live}} In 1835, the railway track was constructed between Little Mount and Chintadripet in Madras and became operational in 1837.{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/apr/16/chennai-the-track-record-1801999.html|title=Chennai: The track record|date=16 April 2018|newspaper=New Indian Express|access-date=9 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812065026/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/apr/16/chennai-the-track-record-1801999.html|url-status=live}} The Madras Railway was established later in 1845 and the construction on the first main line between Madras and Arcot started in 1853, which became operational in 1856.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/on-the-forgotten-track/articleshow/99129882.cms?from=mdr|title=On Forgotten Road|date=31 March 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=9 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812065104/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/on-the-forgotten-track/articleshow/99129882.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}} In 1908, Madras Railway merged with Southern Mahratta Railway to form the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway.{{cite news|url=http://indianrlys.wordpress.com/tag/royapuram-railway-station/|title=Third oldest railway station in country set to turn 156|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date =13 February 2013}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-4sgbfdutMC&q=Madras+Railway+merger&pg=PA755|title=The Cambridge Economic History of India|volume=2|page=755|year =2005|publisher=Orient Longmans Private Limited|isbn=978-8-1250-2731-7}}

In 1944, all the railway companies operating in British India were taken over by the Government.{{cite report|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/financecode/ADMIN_FINANCE/AdminFinanceCh1_Data.htm|title=Evolution of Indian Railways-Historical Background|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=1 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601024404/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/financecode/ADMIN_FINANCE/AdminFinanceCh1_Data.htm|url-status=live}} Post Independence, various re-grouping proposals were studied as there were 42 different railway systems. In December 1950, the Central Advisory Committee for Railways approved the plan for Indian Railways into six zonal systems and the Southern Railway zone was created on 14 April 1951 by merging three state railways, namely, the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway Company, and the Mysore State Railway.{{cite web|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|title=Southern Railways, about us|publisher=Southern Railway|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=16 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916104302/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|url-status=live}}

Organisation

File:Southern_Railway_HQ.jpg]]

Southern Railway zone covers the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and a small portion of Andhra Pradesh. Andaman and Nicobar will form part of the zone once the proposed new railway line between Port Blair and Diglipur becomes operational.{{cite news|date=6 February 2017|title=Railways to show green signal to a train in Andaman and Nicobar|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-to-show-green-signal-to-a-train-in-andaman-and-nicobar-port-blair-diglipur-4509732/|access-date=12 August 2023|publisher=Indian Express|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812082551/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-to-show-green-signal-to-a-train-in-andaman-and-nicobar-port-blair-diglipur-4509732/|url-status=live}}

The Southern Railway is headed by the General Manager, assisted by an Additional General Manager. Southern Railway is headquartered in Chennai and is divided into six divisions namely Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Palakkad, Salem and Thiruvananthapuram.

class="sortable wikitable"style="text-align:left
! style="background-color:#FFD700"| Name of Divisionstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Establishedstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Headquartersstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Comments
Bezawada

| 6-May-1956

| Vijayawada

| Moved to SCR in 1966 and SCoR in 2019

Madurai

| 6-May-1956

| Madurai

|

Tiruchirappalli

| 6-May-1956

| Tiruchirappalli

|

Madras

| 1-August-1956

| Chennai

|

Palakkad

| 4-August-1956

| Palakkad

| previously known as Olavacode. Formed by dissolving Podanur Railway Division.

Guntakal

| 10-October-1956

| Guntakal

| Moved to SCR in 1977 and SCoR in 2019

Mysore

| 31-October-1956

| Mysuru

| Moved to SWR in 2003

Hubli

| 31-October-1956

| Hubli

| Moved to SCR in 1966 and SWR in 2003

Bangalore

| 31-October-1971

| Bangalore

| Moved to SWR in 2003

Thiruvananthapuram

| 2-October-1979

| Thiruvananthapuram

|

Salem

| 14-November-2001

| Salem

|

Operations and infrastructure

The zone operates both passenger and freight trains. Various classes of passenger trains including Vande Bharat Express, Shatabdi Express and Tejas Express are operated by Southern Railways. Freight operations include container traffic from the ports, coal bound to the thermal power stations, oil and petroleum products from refineries, cement and food grains. Most of the lines inside ports, thermal stations, manufacturing industries and owned by the respective companies and the zone provides a link connecting to its network along with the wagons and locomotives. The zone has a larger proportion of passenger traffic compared to freight.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/southern-railway-punctuality-and-fiscal-performance-hit/articleshow/62666618.cms|title=Southern Railway punctuality and fiscal performance hit|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615133325/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/southern-railway-punctuality-and-fiscal-performance-hit/articleshow/62666618.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/southern-railways-financial-and-operational-performance-dips/articleshow/60077695.cms|title=Southern Railway's financial and operational performance dips|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-date=28 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528174815/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/southern-railways-financial-and-operational-performance-dips/articleshow/60077695.cms|url-status=live}} There are about 727 stations on the Southern railway network.{{cite web|type=pdf|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1659695525713-SR.pdf|title=Southern Railway stations|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223095122/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1659695525713-SR.pdf|url-status=live}}

=Locomotives=

File:Erode.png WAP-7 locomotive of Southern Railway]]

File:NMR_37385_in_Delhi_05-02-17_M49.jpeg of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway]]

Southern Railway utilizes various classes of electric and diesel locomotives to haul the trains. Steam locomotives are used by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/coonoor-loco-shed-viewing-gallery-opened-for-tourists/article29550658.ece|title=Coonoor loco shed opened for tourists|date=29 September 2019|access-date=12 August 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812094318/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/coonoor-loco-shed-viewing-gallery-opened-for-tourists/article29550658.ece|url-status=live}} The zone has three electric locomotive sheds and four diesel locomotive sheds.{{cite web|title=Sheds and Workshops – Southern Railway|url=https://irfca.org/faq/faq-shed.html|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=1 November 2023|archive-date=4 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204040010/https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-shed.html|url-status=live}}

class="sortable wikitable"style="text-align:left;"style="font-size: 85%"
! style="background-color:#FFD700"| Namestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Locationstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Typestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Locomotive classstyle="background-color:#FFD700"|Count
Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam

| Arakkonam

| Electric

| WAP-4, WAG-5, WAG-9

| 171

Electric Loco Shed, Erode

| Erode

| Electric

| WAP-4, WAP-7, WAG-7

| 205

Electric Loco Shed, Royapuram

| Chennai

| Electric

| WAP-7

| 109

Diesel Loco Shed, Ernakulam

| Ernakulam

| Diesel

| WDM-3A, WDG-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-4, WDG-4D

| 37

Diesel Loco Shed, Erode

| Erode

| Diesel

| WDM-3D, WAP-1, WAP-4, WAG-5, WAG-7

| 132

Diesel Loco Shed, Golden Rock

| Tiruchirappalli

| Diesel

| WDM-3A, WDG-3A, WDP-3A, WDM-3D, WDP-4, WDG-4, YDM-4, WDS-6, WDM-7

| 148

Diesel Loco Shed, Tondiarpet

| Chennai

| Diesel

| WDM-3A, WDG-3A, WDM-7, WDS-6, WDG-4

| 53

Coonoor Loco Shed, Coonoor

| Coonoor

| Steam, Diesel

| X Class, YDM-4

|

File:3 Tier AC Coach of Padmavat Express.jpg of Indian Railways]]

=Maintenance and workshops=

Southern Railway maintains wagon and locomotive workshops at Perambur, Chennai and Ponmalai, Tiruchirapalli, engineering workshop at Arakkonam, carriage maintenance workshops at Basin Bridge and Egmore and a signal and telecommunication workshop at Podanur, Coimbatore. It has three EMU car sheds in Chennai at Avadi, Tambaram, Velachery and MEMU sheds at Kollam{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/three-iso-certificates-for-memu-maintenance-shed/article33308748.ece|title=Three ISO certificates for MEMU maintenance shed|newspaper=The Hindu|date=3 September 2019|access-date=27 September 2023|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927151928/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/three-iso-certificates-for-memu-maintenance-shed/article33308748.ece|url-status=live}} and Palakkad.{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180518/memu-rakes-yet-to-reach-kerala.html|title=Memu rakes yet to reach Kerala|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|date=18 May 2018|access-date=27 September 2023|archive-date=27 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927151953/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/180518/memu-rakes-yet-to-reach-kerala.html|url-status=live}} Southern Railway maintains trip sheds at Basin Bridge, Egmore, Tondiarpet and Jolarpettai. Southern Railway operated ticket printing presses at Royapuram, Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruchirappalli, but these have been phased out due to digitization.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/ticket-to-the-past/article24818073.ece|title=Ticket to the Past|newspaper=The Hindu|date=30 August 2018|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812094315/https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/ticket-to-the-past/article24818073.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/railway-board-plans-to-ease-out-100-year-old-printing-press-at-royapuram/articleshow/61513176.cms|title=Railway board plans to ease out 100 year old printing press|date=5 November 2017|publisher=Times of India|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812094315/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/railway-board-plans-to-ease-out-100-year-old-printing-press-at-royapuram/articleshow/61513176.cms|url-status=live}}

=Railway coaches and wagons=

Southern Railways uses both ICF coaches and LHB coaches for its trains. ICF coaches manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai have been used predominantly for over sixty years since the formation of the zone in 1951.{{cite news|title=Is It Time for Indian Railways to Tear Up Ageing Tracks and Old Machinery?|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/dna-exclusive-is-it-time-for-indian-railways-to-tear-up-ageing-tracks-and-old-machinery-2427973.html|work=Zee Media Corporation|date=14 January 2022|access-date=6 June 2023|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606192252/https://zeenews.india.com/india/dna-exclusive-is-it-time-for-indian-railways-to-tear-up-ageing-tracks-and-old-machinery-2427973.html|url-status=live}} The ICF coaches are slowly being replaced by newer LHB rakes which provide better passenger comfort and safety.{{cite news|last=Ayyappan|first=V.|title=Leakage Found in ICF Coaches|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/leakage-found-in-icf-coaches/articleshow/80095746.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|date=4 January 2021|access-date=6 June 2023|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606193410/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/leakage-found-in-icf-coaches/articleshow/80095746.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Debroy|first=Bibek|title=A 70-Year-Old Vs a 30-Year-Old: LHB Coaches Perform Better than ICF Ones|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/a-70-year-old-vs-a-30-year-old-lhb-coaches-perform-better-than-icf-ones-118020801725_1.html|url-access=subscription|newspaper=Business Standard|date=9 February 2018|access-date=6 June 2023|archive-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429153338/https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/a-70-year-old-vs-a-30-year-old-lhb-coaches-perform-better-than-icf-ones-118020801725_1.html|url-status=live}}

=Railway lines=

Following are the list of railway lines operational.{{cite report|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1444728316895-A4SMap-2015.pdf|title=Southern Railway Route Map|publisher=Indian Railways|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812121221/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris/uploads/files/1444728316895-A4SMap-2015.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web| title=Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March 2020 | url=https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2021/22%20of%202021-0624d80426ef498.58288689.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407075028/https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2021/22%20of%202021-0624d80426ef498.58288689.pdf | archive-date=2022-04-07}}

class="sortable wikitable"style="text-align:left;"style="font-size: 85%"
! style="background-color:#FFD700"| Linestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Startstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Endstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Typestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Gaugestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Electrifiedstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| No. of Linesstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Speed limitstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Lengthstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Major stations
Chennai Central-Jolarpettai

| Chennai Central

| Jolarpettai

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2 (4 till Arakkonam)

|

| {{convert|213|km|abbr=on}}

| Katpadi

Chennai Central-Renigunta

| Chennai Central

| Renigunta

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2 (4 till Arakkonam)

| 130km max{{cite web | url=https://news.railanalysis.com/southern-railway-increases-maximum-permissible-speed-on-around-2037-route-kms-in-the-financial-year-2022-23/ | title=Southern Railway increases maximum permissible speed on around 2037 route KMS in the Financial Year 2022-23 – Rail Analysis India }}

| {{convert|135|km|abbr=on}}

| Arakkonam

Chennai Central-Gudur

| Chennai Central

| Gudur

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2 (4 From Korukkupet to Athipattu )

| 130km max{{cite web | url=https://news.railanalysis.com/southern-railway-increases-maximum-permissible-speed-on-around-2037-route-kms-in-the-financial-year-2022-23/ | title=Southern Railway increases maximum permissible speed on around 2037 route KMS in the Financial Year 2022-23 – Rail Analysis India }}

| {{convert|136|km|abbr=on}}

| Sullurupeta

Jolarpettai–Shoranur

| Jolarpettai

| Shoranur

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|366|km|abbr=on}}

| Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Coimbatore North, Podanur, Palakkad Junction

Shoranur-Mangalore railway line

| Shoranur

| Mangalore

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|315|km|abbr=on}}

| Tirur, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Mangaluru Central, Mangaluru Junction

Shoranur-Ernakulam line

| Shoranur

| Cochin Harbour Terminus

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|107|km|abbr=on}}

| Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town

Chennai Egmore-Thoothukudi

| Chennai Egmore

| Thoothukudi

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2 (4 till Tambaram, 3 till Chengalpattu)

| 130km max work inprogress

| {{convert|654|km|abbr=on}}

| Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Virudhachalam, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Vanchi

Tiruchirappalli-Thanjavur

| Tiruchirappalli

| Thanjavur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

| 110km max

| {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}}

|

Tiruchirappalli-Erode

| Tiruchirappalli

| Erode

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|141|km|abbr=on}}

| Karur

Salem-Dindigul

| Salem

| Dindigul

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|159|km|abbr=on}}

| Karur

Madurai-Rameswaram

| Madurai

| Rameswaram

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|173.82|km|abbr=on}}

| Manamadurai

Tiruchirappalli-Sengottai

| Tiruchirappalli

| Sengottai

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|320|km|abbr=on}}

| Karaikudi, Manamadurai, Virudhunagar

Vanchi Maniyachchi-Tirunelveli

| Vanchi Maniyachchi

| Tirunelveli

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|28.9|km|abbr=on}}

|

Tiruchirappalli-Thanjavur

| Tiruchirappalli

| Thanjavur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}}

|

Coimbatore North-Mettupalayam

| Coimbatore North

| Mettupalayam

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|32.8|km|abbr=on}}

|

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

| Mettupalayam

| Udhagamandalam

| Branch

| Metre

| No

| 1

|

| {{convert|45.9|km|abbr=on}}

| Coonoor

Thrissur-Guruvayur line

| Thrissur

| Guruvayur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|22.6|km|abbr=on}}

|

Shoranur -Nilambur line

| Shoranur

| Nilambur Road

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes {{Cite news | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/electrification-of-shoranur-nilambur-rail-line-completed/article68010446.ece | title = Electrification of Shoranur-Nilambur rail line completed | newspaper = The Hindu | access-date = 2024-03-30 | archive-date = 5 April 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240405095838/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/electrification-of-shoranur-nilambur-rail-line-completed/article68010446.ece | url-status = live }}

| 1

|

| {{convert|65.8|km|abbr=on}}

|

Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal line

| Ernakulam Junction

| Kayamkulam Junction

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1 ( 2 in Ambalapuzha-Kayamkulam section )

|

| {{convert|100.34|km|abbr=on}}

| Alappuzha

Ernakulam–Kollam line

| Ernakulam Junction /
Ernakulam Town

| Kollam Junction

| Main

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|100 kmph (110kmph in Kayamkulam Jn Kollam Jn)

| 156 km (97 mi)

| Kottayam, Chengannur, Kayamkulam Junction

Kollam-Sengottai line

| Kollam Junction

| Sengottai

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|94|km|abbr=on}}

| Punalur

Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram line

|Kollam Junction

|Thiruvanathapuram Central

| Main

| Broad

| Yes {{cite news | url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/rail-electrification-inspection-begins/article3033562.ece | title = Rail electrification: inspection begins | newspaper = The Hindu | date = 14 December 2006 | access-date = 9 January 2017 | archive-date = 18 May 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240518163838/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/rail-electrification-inspection-begins/article3033562.ece | url-status = live }}

| 2

|

| 65 km (40 mi)

|Kollam, Thiruvanathapuram North(Kochuveli), Thiruvanathapuram Central

Thiruvananthapuram–Nagercoil–Kanyakumari line

| Thiruvanathapuram Central

| Kanniyakumari

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1 ( 2 in Nagercoil Junction - Nagercoil Town - Kanyakumari section)

|

| {{convert|89|km|abbr=on}}

| Thiruvananthapuram South(Nemom), Nagercoil Junction, Nagercoil Town

Nagercoil - Tirunelveli

|Nagercoil Junction

|Tirunelveli Junction

|Main

|Broad

|Yes

|2

| 110km

{{cite web | url=https://news.railanalysis.com/southern-railway-targets-on-speed-enhancement-works-to-increase-trains-speed-on-vital-sections-in-the-current-financial-year-2023-24/#:~:text=Over%20413.62%20Route%20Kms%20of,completed%20in%20FY%202022%2D23. | title=Southern Railway targets on speed enhancement works to increase trains speed on vital sections in the current Financial Year 2023-24 – Rail Analysis India }}{{cite web | url=https://railanalysis.in/rail-news/insights-on-speed-enhancement-achieved-by-southern-railway-and-works-in-progress-in-tamil-nadu/ | title=Insights on speed enhancement achieved by Southern Railway and works in progress in Tamil Nadu - | date=2 February 2023 }}

|73 km ( 45.3 mi)

|Aralvaimozhi, Valliyur, Melappalayam

Tenkasi-Tiruchendur

| Tenkasi

| Tiruchendur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|61.2|km|abbr=on}}

|

Tenkasi-Sengottai

| Tenkasi

| Sengottai

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|8|km|abbr=on}}

|

Irugur-Podanur

| Irugur

| Podanur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|10.9|km|abbr=on}}

|

Dindigul-Pollachi

| Dindigul

| Pollachi

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|120.7|km|abbr=on}}

| Palani

Podanur-Pollachi

| Podanur

| Pollachi

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}}

|

Palakkad–Pollachi line

| Palakkad

| Pollachi

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|57.8|km|abbr=on}}

|

Salem-Mettur Dam

| Salem

| Mettur Dam

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 2

|

| {{convert|38.9|km|abbr=on}}

|

Salem-Virudhachalam

| Salem

| Virudhachalam

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|139|km|abbr=on}}

|

Cuddalore-Thanjavur

| Cuddalore

| Thanjavur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|146|km|abbr=on}}

| Mayiladuthurai

Cuddalore-Virudhachalam

| Cuddalore

| Virudhachalam

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|57|km|abbr=on}}

|

Villupuram-Puducherry

| Villupuram

| Puducherry

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|37.6|km|abbr=on}}

|

Villupuram-Katpadi

| Villupuram

| Katpadi

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|161|km|abbr=on}}

| Tiruvannamalai

Thanjavur-Karaikal

| Thanjavur

| Karaikal

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

| 110km max

| {{convert|95.4|km|abbr=on}}

| Nagapattinam

Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur

| Mayiladuthurai

| Thiruvarur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|39|km|abbr=on}}

|

Arakkonam-Chengalpattu

| Arakkonam

| Chengalpattu

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|68|km|abbr=on}}

|

Nagapattinam-Velankanni

| Nagapattinam

| Velankanni

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|10.4|km|abbr=on}}

|

Madurai-Bodinayakkanur

| Madurai

| Bodinayakkanur

| Branch

| Broad

| Yes

| 1

|

| {{convert|88|km|abbr=on}}

|

Thiruvarur-Tiruturaipundi

| Thiruvarur

| Tiruturaipundi

| Branch

| Broad

| WIP for Electification

| 1

|

| {{convert|26|km|abbr=on}}

|

Karaikkudi-Tiruturaipundi

| Karaikkudi

| Tiruturaipundi

| Branch

| Broad

| WIP for Electification

| 1

|

| {{convert|149|km|abbr=on}}

|

Tiruturaipundi-Agastiyampalli

| Tiruturaipundi

| Agastiyampalli

| Branch

| Broad

| WIP for Electification

| 1

|

| {{convert|36.8|km|abbr=on}}

|

File:5th_Vande_Bharat_Express_departing_towards_Mysuru_Jn.jpg]]

File:Chennai_Central_D.jpg, the busiest station of Southern railway]]

Defunct railway lines include Kundala Valley Railways,{{cite web|title=Remains of Kundala Valley Railway, Munnar|url=https://www.irfca.org/gallery/Heritage/Kundala/|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=IRFCA|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211033506/http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Heritage/Kundala/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Correspondent|first=A.|date=22 June 2019|title=Monorail may return to Munnar|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/return-of-the-rail-in-munnar/article28110616.ece|access-date=30 December 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001952/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/return-of-the-rail-in-munnar/article28110616.ece|url-status=live}} Kochin Tramways,{{cite web|title=Cochin State Forest Tramway|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Cochin_State_Forest_Tramway|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929174256/https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Cochin_State_Forest_Tramway|url-status=live}} Madras Tramways,{{cite web|title=Madras Tramways – FIBIwiki|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Madras_Tramways|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512235926/https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Madras_Tramways|url-status=live}} Tiruchendur Light Railway,{{cite web|title=Kulasekharapatnam Tissainvillai Light Railway – FIBIwiki|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Kulasekharapatnam_Tissainvillai_Light_Railway#cite_note-TN39-4|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626135817/https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Kulasekharapatnam_Tissainvillai_Light_Railway#cite_note-TN39-4|url-status=live}} Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri famine light railways,{{cite web|title=Morappur-Dharmapuri-Hosur Railway – FIBIwiki|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Morappur-Dharmapuri-Hosur_Railway|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001005812/https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Morappur-Dharmapuri-Hosur_Railway|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Tirupattur-Krishnagiri Railway – FIBIwiki|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Tirupattur-Krishnagiri_Railway|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=29 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929093013/https://wiki.fibis.org/w/Tirupattur-Krishnagiri_Railway|url-status=live}} Kodaikanal Light Railway.{{cite web|title=South Indian Railway 1909|url=https://wiki.fibis.org/images/0/08/South_Indian_Railway_1909.png|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111180256/https://wiki.fibis.org/images/0/08/South_Indian_Railway_1909.png|url-status=live}}

{{cite web|title=[IRFCA] Mysteries of a Defunct Ropeway|url=https://www.irfca.org/articles/defunct-ropeway.html|access-date=30 December 2020|publisher=FIBIS|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507051959/https://www.irfca.org/articles/defunct-ropeway.html|url-status=live}}

=Trains=

Southern Railways operates 41 sets of express trains and 97 sets of superfast trains. The superfast trains include: Vande Bharat Express (8), Shatabdi Express (2), Garib Rath Express (2), Duronto Express (1), Jan Shatabdi Express (4), Sampark Kranti Express (1), Anuvrat Express (1), Humsafar Express (1), Tejas Express (1), Uday Express (1), Antyodaya Express (2) and Double Decker Express (1). Apart from this, it operates various Passenger trains, DEMU, EMU services, Chennai Suburban and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.{{cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/trains?date=undefined&drev=undefined&arev=undefined&zone=14&|title=Southern Railways|publisher=Indiarailinfo|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812125557/https://indiarailinfo.com/trains?date=undefined&drev=undefined&arev=undefined&zone=14&|url-status=live}}

=Stations=

{{see also|Categorization of Indian Railway stations by commercial importance}}

There are about 727 stations on the Southern railway network including 486 non suburban stations, 74 suburban stations and 166 halt stations. The major and highest revenue earning stations are Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Coimbatore Junction, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Tambaram, Ernakulam Junction, Madurai Junction and Tiruchirappalli .

Chennai Suburban

File:Chennai_Rail.png

{{see also|Chennai Suburban Railway|Madras Railway}}

Chennai Suburban Railway is the commuter rail system in the city of Chennai, operated by the Southern Railways. The system operates four lines with a track length of {{convert|1174.21|km|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|509.71|km|abbr=on}} are dedicated dual tracks for EMUs.{{cite report|url=https://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume1_English_PDF/Vol1_Chapter04_Transport.pdf|title=Transport in Chennai|publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority|page=4|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028121316/https://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume1_English_PDF/Vol1_Chapter04_Transport.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite report|title=Project Brief of Chennai Metro Rail|url=https://ta.chennaimetrorail.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/project_brief_updated_aug081.pdf|publisher=Chennai Metro|access-date=24 May 2013|archive-date=12 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712124328/http://ta.chennaimetrorail.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/11/project_brief_updated_aug081.pdf|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:#FFD700"| Linestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Startstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Endstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Typestyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Lengthstyle="background-color:#FFD700"| Stations
North Line

| Chennai Central

| Sullurpeta

| Suburban

| {{convert|82|km|abbr=on}}

| 30

South Line

| Chennai Beach

| Chengalpattu

| Suburban

| {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}}

| 50

West Line

| Chennai Beach

| Tiruttani

| Suburban

| {{convert|69|km|abbr=on}}

| 57

Chennai MRTS

| Chennai Beach

| Velachery

| MRTS

| {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}

| 25

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

File:NMR train at Ketti 05-02-26 75.jpeg

{{see also|Nilgiri Mountain Railway}}

Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on}} railway in Nilgiris district connecting Mettupalayam and Udagamandalam. It was built during the British Raj in 1908 and is currently operated by the Southern Railways.{{cite web|title=Nilgiri Mountain railway|url=https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|website=Indianrailway.gov.in|access-date=21 August 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206122930/https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,304,374,492,552|url-status=live}} It is the only rack railway in India and operates on its own fleet of steam locomotives between Coonoor and Udhagamandalam.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/in-pictures-nilgiri-mountain-railway-as-old-as-the-hills/article28732489.ece|title=he Nilgiri Mountain Railway as old as the hills|date=27 July 2019|access-date=1 March 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055908/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/in-pictures-nilgiri-mountain-railway-as-old-as-the-hills/article28732489.ece|url-status=live}} In July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Mountain Railways of India.{{cite web|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944|title=Mountain Railways of India|access-date=30 April 2006|archive-date=3 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503143242/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/944/|url-status=live}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|3}}

External links

{{commons category|Southern Railway Zone, India}}

  • [https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in/cris//uploads/files/1686894847523-System%20Map%202023%20signed.pdf Southern Railways System Map]
  • [http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/ Southern Railway official website]

{{Indian Railways}}

{{Railways in Southern India}}

Category:1951 establishments in Madras State

Category:Zones of Indian Railways

*