<span style="color: #222222;">Even as Chennai, the capital of Tamilnadu is celebrating its 381st anniversary today, the prestigious Main Railway line, that connects Chennai with Trichy town in the heart of the Cauvery delta region, is in its 142nd year of operation.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The line, which started operation in 1878 is 351 kms long and passes through culturally and commercially important towns like Cuddalore, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Thanjavoor.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Originally a metre gauge line, its conversion into broad gauge was completed during the 1995 to 2000 period.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Another chord line, cutting down the distance between Egmore and Trichy by 40 kms started operation in 1929, starting from Villupuram.</span><br />