Indian Railways to Get 10 More Engine-Less Trains!

Railway Ministry has asked ICF, Chennai to manufacture 10 more Train 18 sets. These semi high-speed engine-less trains are aimed to replace the Shatabdi Express train in the country.

New Delhi: After the successful trial run India’s first engine-less train ‘Train 18’, India railways is said to get 10 more such trains. According to a Financial Express report, Ministry of Railways has asked ICF, Chennai to manufacture more such train sets. ICF is asked to manufacture one more Train 18 rake by March next year.

The reported cited a railway board circular to ICF which asked the coach factory to manufacture more Train 18 set. FE reported that the circular also stated that in a recent railway board meeting which was led by railway minister Piyush Goyal, it was decided that all necessary steps are to be taken in order to ensure that four more Train 18 rakes are manufactured in the current year.

The report quoted ICF GM Sudhanshu Mani saying, “ICF will try to make two more (Train 18 sets) in this financial year and up to 8 in the next financial year depending upon the allotment from Railway Board.” It maybe noted that Train 18 is aimed to replace Shatabdi Express trains in the coming years.

Train 18 has become the fastest Indian Railways train so far hitting 180 Kmph speed during the trial run. This semi-high speed train is equipped with a smart braking system, GPS-based passenger information system, zero discharge bio-vacuum toilets, automatic dorrs, diffused lighting and other amenities.

Considering passenger safety, comfort and smooth alight at the platform, the footsteps of the doorways of the train have been designed in such a way that it would automatically slide outward when the train stops at a station. All the coaches of the train have been connected by fully sealed gangways with integrated bridge plates to ensure inter-coach mobility.

Worth mentioning here is that with Train 18, for the first time, passengers onboard would have an access to the driver cabin and will also have a look at the panel owing to the continuous profile of the train.

Source:TNN

Image Courtesy:Railway Gazette