Recently, I traveled by train from Chennai towards Nagapattinam, and it turned out to be a unique and memorable experience. In this post, I will share my complete Tambaram to Trichy train journey experience, including booking, travel comfort, crowd conditions, and useful tips.
Booking Experience
I planned to travel on Train No. 16807, which runs from Tambaram to Trichy. The train departs from Tambaram at 3:30 PM and reaches Trichy at 10:40 PM.
This train has:
- 2S (Second Seating)
- CC (AC Chair Car)
Both are sitting-type coaches, making it ideal for daytime travel.
Initially, this was a special train, but due to high demand, Indian Railways has made it a permanent service.
I tried booking tickets through the RailOne app under Tatkal quota. A few seats were available initially, but within minutes, all tickets—including Premium Tatkal—were sold out. So, I decided to travel in the unreserved general coach.
Boarding Experience at Tambaram
I reached Tambaram railway station at 3:20 PM, and the train was at Platform No. 8.
This train runs on:
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
(Does not run on Tuesday and Wednesday)
Even though I traveled on a Monday, the crowd was quite heavy.
- There are 2 general coaches at the front and several coaches towards the rear.
- Most passengers rushed into the front coaches, making them extremely crowded.
- I moved towards the last coaches, where the crowd was comparatively manageable.
I boarded exactly at 3:30 PM, but the train departed with a 10-minute delay.
Coach Condition & Comfort
The train has LHB coaches, which are modern and comfortable.
- Clean and well-maintained interiors
- Charging points were working properly
- Toilets were surprisingly clean
Overall, the travel experience inside the train was smooth and comfortable.
Journey Experience
As the train progressed:
- The crowd gradually reduced after Melmaruvathur
- It became much less crowded by Dindivanam
There were many food vendors inside the train selling:
- Fruits
- Snacks
- Water
So, there was no need to get down at stations for food.
Since it’s a daytime journey, you can enjoy beautiful scenic views throughout the route. Expect around 3 to 6 train crossings, which may cause brief halts.
My Drop Point – Sirkazhi
Although the train goes towards Trichy via:
- Mayiladuthurai
- Kumbakonam
- Thanjavur
I got down at Sirkazhi to reach Nagapattinam.
If you are planning to travel from Tambaram to Nagapattinam via Kamban Express, check our complete Kamban Express travel guide.
- Expected arrival: 7:20 PM
- Actual arrival: Around 8:00 PM
The train was delayed by approximately 40 minutes.
Pros
- Clean and well-maintained coaches
- Comfortable seating for daytime travel
- Good scenic views
- Availability of food vendors
Cons
- Frequent delays
- Heavy crowd, especially on weekends
- Unreserved coaches can be hectic during peak time
Travel Tips
- Reach the station at least 30 minutes early to secure a seat in unreserved coaches
- Try boarding rear coaches for less crowd
- Seats are reserved for persons with disabilities
- A ladies coach is attached near the front (engine side)
Alternative Option:
If you miss this train, you can take Train No. 20605 Tiruchendur Superfast Express from Tambaram at 4:27 PM.
Conclusion
Overall, my Tambaram to Trichy train journey was a pleasant experience compared to night travel. The train was clean, comfortable, and offered a smooth ride.
The only drawback was the delay, but the scenic daytime journey makes up for it. If you are traveling towards delta regions, it’s better to choose a daytime train to enjoy the views rather than traveling at night.
