Coimbatore: Southern Railway has announced special weekly train services between Chennai and Kollam via Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and other major stations to meet the increased travel demand during the upcoming festive season.
Advance reservations for the special trains will commence at 8 a.m. on September 23, 2026.
Under the first service arrangement, Train No. 06117 Chennai Egmore–Kollam Weekly Special will operate on Thursdays from October 1 to October 29, 2026, covering five services. The train will depart from Chennai Egmore at 11.40 p.m. and reach Kollam at 4.20 p.m. the following day.
The return service, Train No. 06118 Kollam–Chennai Egmore Weekly Special, will operate on Fridays from October 2 to October 30, 2026. It will depart from Kollam at 6.45 p.m. and reach Chennai Egmore at 12.30 p.m. the next day.
The trains will operate via Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur and Podanur, with stoppages at major stations including Perambur, Tiruvallur, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara and Kayankulam.
At stations in the Salem Division, Train No. 06117 will arrive at Podanur at 8.23 a.m. and depart at 8.25 a.m. on Fridays. The return train, Train No. 06118, will arrive at Podanur at 3.40 a.m. and depart at 3.42 a.m. on Saturdays.
Under the second arrangement, Train No. 06121 Chennai Egmore–Kollam Weekly Special will operate on Saturdays from October 3 to October 31, 2026, covering five services. The train will depart from Chennai Egmore at 11.40 p.m. and reach Kollam at 4.20 p.m. the following day.
Its return service, Train No. 06122 Kollam–Chennai Central Weekly Special, will operate on Sundays from October 4 to November 1, 2026. It will depart from Kollam at 6.45 p.m. and reach Chennai Central at 11.35 a.m. the next day.
The second set of trains will also stop at Podanur, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem and Jolarpettai. Train No. 06121 will reach Podanur at 8.23 a.m. and depart at 8.25 a.m. on Sundays, while Train No. 06122 will arrive at Podanur at 2.18 a.m. and depart at 2.20 a.m. on Mondays.
The special trains will have AC First Class-cum-AC 2-Tier, AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Sleeper Class and Luggage-cum-Brake Van coaches.
