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Madras-Tuticorin Mainline

The 'Madras-Tuticorin Mainline' is the name of the South Indian Railway(SIR) metre gauge(MG) Mainline connecting Madras to the Pamban Branch Railway with a length of 460 miles(km). Included in the line is the Tuticorin Branch Line to Tuticorin, a further 99 miles.

Progress in SIR MG Mainline opening

Madras Railway Map 1909, south section

The following is based on the “Administration Report on Railways 1918” and the "Marvels of the South Indian Railway 1859-1951".

MG 'Madras-Tuticorin Mainline', with dates of opening:-

• Madras via Chingleput Junction, Villupuram to Cuddalore, 1876-77
• Cuddalore via Porto Novo, Chidambaram, Coleroon, Shiyali, Mayavaram to Tanjore, 1877-78
• Tanjore to Trichinopoly, 1862, converted to MG, 1875 (see Gauge Note)
• Trichinopoly to Madura, 1875
• Madura to Manadapam and Rameswaram, 1902-1914 (see separate page Pamban Branch Railway).

SIR MG Branch Lines

• Tuticorin Branch Line from Madura to Tuticorin, 1876
• Pulliarpati Quarry Branch Line
• Tinnevelly Branch Line
• Cuddlelore Wharf Branch Line
• Capper Quarry Branch Line
• Livinggopuram Salt Branch Line
• Villipuram-Kathpadi Extension Raimway

Gauge Note

Part of this Mainline was originally built as broad gauge(BG) by the Great Southern of India Railway(GSIR) with the construction of a BG line from Negapatam via Tanjore and Trichinopoly; then planned onwards to Tuticorin. Construction of this line commenced in 1859 reaching Tanjore, 1861 and Trichinopoly, 1862.

In 1874 the South Indian Railway(SIR) was formed from merger of the Carnatic Railway and Great Southern of India Railway. It was decided that the SIR would use the metre gauge(MG) and this required the conversion of BG lines already constructed and in service.

The BG line from Negapatam via Tanjore to Trichinopoly was converted to MG in 1875

Further Information

See South Indian Railway