The indigenously built, engine-less, semi high-speed and electric powered Train 18, which was announced in the 2016 Union budget, could soon be a reality. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the train symbolising his 'Make in India' dream in January itself.
Having reached a speed of 180kmph, the train is likely to replace the Shatabdi trains in the long run.
The designer of Train 18, Sudhanshu Mani, general manager at ICF, Chennai, took on the challenge to build a better train rake in India to replace the European designed train coaches (LHB or Link Hauffmann and Bausch coaches) developed thirty years ago, and currently used by the Indian Railways for most trains.
"This train would be 45 per cent faster than the current Rajdhani or Shatabdi. Prime minister would inaugurate the Delhi-Varanasi route first, which will be covered in 7 hours, from 11.5 hours required now, by the second fastest train on this route," Piyush Goyal, minister for railways said on Wednesday.
"We plan to introduce 22 such routes for the Train 18," Goyal added. The minister took a tour of the train, while it was on rail siding at the New Delhi railway station.
After the initial trials of the first train was conducted in December, ICF is expected to ready a second train shortly. The eight coach train, capable of seating 1128 passengers, was built at a cost of Rs 100 cr, but the price is expected to drop, with more orders for the new train.
"It took us 18 months to build this train," said Rajesh Agarwal, member (rolling stock), Railway Board told THE WEEK, explaining why the new train is so named. "We are now conforming to European standards, but with the future developments on this design, we may exceed those standards as well very soon," said Agarwal.
Presently, the train has been allowed to ply only at a top speed of 130 kmph by the chief commissioner of railway safety. "Speeds would improve subsequently as track mechanism is improved in the next few months," said a railway ministry source.
The Train 18 with its blue nose and aerodynamic front not only look different from the outside but has many technical wizardry all across.
The train, other than having no engines, uses improved braking which also provide power to it. It is equipped with modern bio-toilets and electronic sliding doors in all compartments. The coaches ride on air cushion suspension that reduces jerks and rolls experienced during train rides.
On the inside, all seats come equipped with charging stations and foldable tables. The large windows have blinds and each coach has an emergency communication facility with coach drivers, as seen on metro train coaches.
A final date for the Train 18 to enter service is yet to be announced. It remains to be seen if the Train 18 would prove to be a draw for airline travellers as well and can improve the Indian Railways revenue position.
