Salem Division Southern Railway creates record by operating long haul freight train for the first time

Today (15.12.14), Salem Division, Southern Railway, created a record by operating two linked freight trains for the first time from the Mettur Thermal Power Plant, after unloading the coal therein. The formation called ‘Python’, had 118 wagons (59+59 wagons) 4 Electric Locomotives, and 2 Break vans, to a whopping length of 1.4 Kms.  The total weight of the formation was 3000 tons. This train was started from Mettur Thermal Power Plant at about 12.00 Hrs. and was handed over to Chennai Division’s Jolarpet at 15.45 Hrs. clocking an average speed of 40.4 kmph. This is a remarkable improvement over the average speed of 25 kmph for the normal freight trains.

By operating these two rakes together, the track time required for crossing of two separate freight trains was reduced to half and simplified operation.

Shri Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, congratulated the officials and the staff involved in this remarkable feat.