The first trainset equipped with comfortable French-made seats, brakes and couplers from Germany alongwith Czech-made door system will be pressed into service between the national capital and Bhopal in October this year.
Under hectic preparation at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, efforts are on to roll out the first trainset of Indian Railways under Train-18 programme with many modern features by the beginning of the festive season as a Puja gift for passengers in 2018.
A trainset is a set of coaches coupled mechanically and electrically with driving cabins at both ends and distributed traction power across the train.
The acceleration and decceleration is faster in trainset as compared to other trains hauled by locomotives thereby reducing the travel time considerably.
"Apart from saving time, the semi-high speed trainset would be a whole new experience for rail travellers," ICF General Manager S. Mani said.
New Delhi-Bhopal route is best suited for the next generation train as part of its corridor is fully compliant with 160 kmph speed.
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According to the plan, the next trainset is likely to be run between Lucknow and Delhi.
Executive Class with rotating seats which can be aligned in the direction of travel, onboard infotainment system with non-stop Wi-Fi, vacuum toilets, sliding doors and continuous window glasses for contemporary modern look are some other features of the ICF-manufactured trainset.
Under Train-18 programme, the first trainset will have a few imported components which are to be indigenised for the next rake, Mani added.
ICF will be manufacturing total six trainsets under Train-18 programme out of which two will be planed with Sleeper class coaches.
Aimed as a landmark improvement in pasenger travel, the trainset will have many modern features which will debut for the first time on Indian Railways.
The imported couplers and brake will keep the jerks and vibrations at bay while French seats will provide comfortable seating for passengers.
ICF is also planning to float a fresh global tender for manufacturing of aluminium-bodied trainset under Train-20 programme.
(Arun Kumar Das is a senior Delhi-based freelance journalist. He can be contacted at akdas2005@gmail.com)
--IANS
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