The rakes of the Salem-Vridhachalam-Salem Passenger trains will be replaced by the modern 1400 High Horse Power Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes from May 8.
The rake will consist of eight coaches, of which two are Driving Power Coaches (DPC - locomotive connected passenger cars) on both the ends and the balance six will be passenger coaches. The main advantages of these rakes are the coaches are inter-connected with each other by vestibules, to enable the passengers to walk from end to end.
The capacity of the passenger cars will be 312 (96 sitting+216 standing) as against 90 in the conventional day coaches. In the two driving power cars, the capacity will be 138 (53 sitting+85 standing).
In addition, since there are two driving power cars attached to both the ends, there is no need for turnaround of the locomotive at the destination in these push-pull type rakes.
Another passenger-friendly feature of these DEMU trains are the presence of toilet at one end of each passenger car, an official release of the Salem Railway Division issued here on Tuesday said.
Timings
The train no.56835 Vridhachalam-Salem passenger will depart from Vridhachalam at 6 a.m. and will arrive at Salem Junction at 9.20 a.m.
The train no. 56838 Salem - Vridhachalam passenger will depart from Salem Junction at 9.50 a.m. and will reach Vridhachalam at 12.55 p.m.
The train no. 56837 Vridhachalam- Salem passenger will leave Vridhachalam at 1.30 p.m. and will arrive at Salem at 4.45 p.m.
The train no. 56836 Salem – Vridhachalam passenger will leave Salem at 6.30 p.m. and will reach Vridhachalam at 10.05 p.m.
