Rameswaram–Okha Express

The 16733 / 16734 Rameswaram–Okha Express is an Express train belonging to Indian Railways – Madurai Division of the Southern Railway zone that runs between and in India.
It operates as train number 16733 from Rameswaram to Okha and as train number 16734 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Since 8th March 2024, this train runs with LHB coach.

History

It is one of the first trainsto be operated from Rameswaram immediately after Gauge Conversion of Manamadurai–Rameswaram line from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge. This train is operated in such a long circuitous route because during its introduction, most of the railway lines in India are under gauge conversion from narrower gauges to broad gauge, so this train is operated using existing railway routes at that time. This train was originally introduced between Madurai and Manamad. Later this train was extended in both sides i.e. From Madurai it was extended until Rameswaram and from Manamad it was extended until Okha. At initial days of operation, its maintenance is done at Madurai, after constructing a railway maintenance yard at Rameswaram, the maintenance of this train has been shifted from Madurai to Rameswaram. At present, It is the only train from southern part of Tamil Nadu such as Madurai, Rameswaram which are directly connected with the Manamad, Aurangabad areas of Maharashtra.

Coaches

The train has standard LHB rakes with a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 21 coaches:

2 AC II Tier
8 AC III Tier
6 Sleeper coaches
2 General Unreserved
2 EOG cars
1 Pantry car

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

16733/Rameswaram–Okha Express covers the distance of in 59 hours 50 mins
16734/Okha–Rameswaram Express covers the distance of in 58 hours 35 mins.

Route & halts

The 16733 / 16734 Rameswaram–Okha Express runs from Rameswaram via,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to Okha.
At present it is the only direct express train that runs from Rameswaram to nearby places of Mumbai such as Manmad and Surat.

Schedule

Train number	Station code	Departure station	Departure time	Departure day	Arrival station	Arrival time	Arrival day
16733	RMM	Rameswaram	22:30 PM	Friday	Okha	10:20 AM	Monday
16734	OKHA	Okha	08:40 AM	Tuesday	Rameswaram	19:15 PM	Thursday

Traction

Both trains are hauled by a Golden Rock Loco Shed based WDP-4D or Golden Rock Loco Shed based WDG-3A diesel locomotive between Rameswaram and. After Manamadurai, both trains are hauled by a Royampuram Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive up to Okha and vice versa.