The Tiruchi Railway Division conducted a high-speed trial run on the Tiruchi-Villupuram chord line section via Ariyalur and Vriddhachalam on Friday to enhance the sectional speed of express and superfast trains on this stretch.

A special train attached with a coach equipped with Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) was operated on the over 150-km section at maximum speeds touching 143 kmph in a couple of stretches enroute.

Railway sources said the special train left Tiruchi Junction around 8.40 a.m. and reached Villupuram Junction at 10.34 a.m.  The special train reached a maximum speed of 143 kmph between Valadi and Lalgudi and between Puvanur and Ulundurpet.

In the remaining stretches, the special train was operated at a speed of around 130 kmph. A team of railway officers from different departments of the Tiruchi Division travelled on board the special train. 

The trial run was conducted to test the stability of the railway track on the Tiruchi-Villupuram chord line section which falls under the limits of the Tiruchi Division. The chord line section is an important stretch in the Southern Railway zone witnessing movement of several long distance express and superfast trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, on the north-south direction every day.

The Tiruchi Railway Division had 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.

The sources said the track had been strengthened and other necessary work, including installation of 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. 

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.