Following the successful trials of the new Vande Bharat (VB) sleeper train set prototypes, the Ministry of Railways will roll out nine VB sleeper sets between April and December this year, officials said.
On January 15, the first 16-car VB sleeper train, manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, underwent rigorous long-distance trials between Mumbai and Ahmedabad for 540 km, conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).
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Within two weeks after ICF completed the manufacturing of the train set on December 17, the train was brought to Kota division and was successfully tested for short distances of 30 km-40 km for three days in a row in the first week of January, during which it achieved comfortable travel experience at a high speed of 180 km per hour, officials said.
The VB sleeper trains will be divided into AC 1st Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier with a total capacity to carry 1,128 passengers.
Features
The train has crash buffers, deformation tubes, and a fire barrier wall, automatic doors, cushioned berths, and onboard Wi-Fi besides ultra comfortable berths and an aircraft-like design.
“Before the operationalisation of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) will issue a final certificate after analyzing the trial runs. The railway safety commissioner will evaluate the train at its maximum speed,” officials said.
Apart from the nine VB sleeper trains manufactured by ICF, Indian Railways placed a major order for propulsion electrics for fifty 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets in December last year.
Also Read | Vande Bharat sleeper trains achieve peak 180 kmph speed in trial runs
The order has been awarded to two leading Indian manufacturers: M/s Medha will supply propulsion systems for 33 trains and M/s Alstom will supply propulsion systems for 17 trains. The order is likely to be ready in two years.
“Full-scale production of the 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets will commence in 2026-27,” officials said.
Currently, 136 Vande Bharat Chair Car trains are running across India on medium and short distances.
