Ernakulam–Okha Express

The 16337 / 16338 Ernakulam–Okha Express is bi-weekly Express train running between the cities of Kochi in Kerala and Okha in Gujarat. It mainly connects the people of Kerala living in Saurashtra region. It mainly runs and serve the people of the states of Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Kerala. The time table of the train is amended during monsoon season and the train reaches Ernakulam Junction late by 2 to 3 hours of the original time but the monsoon time table does not affects its return journey. Few years before during monsoon season the train had its service only till Hapa but after that during monsoon also the train run till Okha.

Ernakulam–Okha Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
LocaleKerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra & Gujarat
First service1 April 1987; 37 years ago (1987-04-01)
Current operator(s)Southern Railway
Route
TerminiErnakulam (ERS)
Okha (OKHA)
Stops47
Distance travelled2,253 km (1,400 mi)
Average journey time43 hrs 30 mins
Service frequencyBi-Weekly
Train number(s)16337 / 16338
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed51 km/h (32 mph) average including halts.
Route map
(Okha–Ernakulam) Express route map

The train first used to run between Cochin and Ahmedabad as Cochin–Ahmedabad Express and then it was extended up to Rajkot Junction making it Cochin–Rajkot Express. During that time the train used to start from Cochin Harbour Terminus station. At that time the train had a single service in a week. After Ernakulam Junction railway station was developed the train's origin was shifted to Ernakulam Junction. One more train was introduced after which train had bi-weekly service.[1][2]

Coach composition

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The train has standard LHB rakes with a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 22 coaches.

  • 2 AC II Tier
  • 3 AC III Tier
  • 12 Sleeper coaches
  • 2 General Unreserved
  • 1 Seating cum Luggage Rake
  • 1 Pantry Car
  • 1 Generator Car

Service

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16337/ Okha–Ernakulam Express has an average speed of 53 km/h and covers 2250 km in 41 hrs 10 mins.

16338/ Ernakulam–Okha Express has an average speed of 50 km/h and covers 2250 km in 44 hrs 15 mins.

Route and halts

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The important halts of the train are:

Schedule

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Train number Station code Departure station Departure time Departure day Arrival station Arrival time Arrival day
16337 OKHA Okha 06:45 AM Mon,Sat Ernakulam 22:55 PM Sun,Tue
16338 ERS Ernakulam 20:25 PM Wed,Fri Okha 16:40 PM Sun,Fri

Traction

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Earlier the train was hauled by WDM3A Twins from Diesel Loco Shed Ernakulam to and fro. As the route is now fully electrified, it is hauled by an Erode Loco Shed or Royapuram Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Ernakulam to Okha.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "16337/Okha–Ernakulam Express". India Rail Info.
  2. ^ "16338/Ernakulam–Okha Express". India Rail Info.