In a significant leap toward faster rail connectivity, Southern Railway successfully conducted a high-speed trial run between Jolarpet and Coimbatore on Thursday, reaching an impressive top speed of 145 kilometers per hour.
Record-Breaking Trial Run Details
The special train commenced its journey from Dr MGR Chennai Central station in the morning and successfully reached Coimbatore by noon. During the crucial test run, the train achieved a peak speed of 145kmph, significantly higher than the current maximum permissible speed of 110kmph on this 286-kilometer section.
Railway engineers meticulously recorded various critical performance parameters throughout the journey. The comprehensive data collection included measurements of lateral and vertical accelerations, track geometry, rolling stock stability, and oscillation behavior. Special attention was given to the train's performance on curves, gradients, and turnouts to ensure safety standards at higher speeds.
Major Infrastructure Upgrades Completed
Southern Railway officials confirmed that they have already completed 130kmph upgradation works on three crucial stretches totaling 415 kilometers. The enhanced sections include Chennai Central-Gudur (134km), Chennai Central-Arakkonam-Renigunta (134.78km), and Arakkonam-Jolarpet (144.54km).
This trial forms part of a series of mandatory tests being conducted in both directions to thoroughly assess both the track infrastructure and rolling stock compatibility for higher-speed operations. The successful trial marks a pivotal step toward officially raising the maximum permissible speed from 110kmph to 130kmph on the Jolarpet-Coimbatore section.
Future Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, Southern Railway has ambitious plans for the 2026-27 period, targeting speed enhancement works on an additional 711 kilometers of key routes. The proposed sections for 110-130kmph upgrades include:
- Chennai Egmore–Villupuram
- Villupuram–Vriddhachalam
- Vriddhachalam–Tiruchchirappalli
- Kollam–Thiruvananthapuram
- Shoranur–Kozhikode–Kannur
- Kannur–Mangaluru sections
Over the past three years, Southern Railway has demonstrated remarkable progress in speed enhancement, having upgraded 2,794 kilometers of routes from previous speed limits of 80, 90, and 100kmph to the current 110kmph standard.
These systematic upgrades represent Southern Railway's commitment to modernizing India's rail infrastructure and significantly reducing travel time for passengers across Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.
