[Rajeevraj]

The Indian Railways on Tuesday launched the 'Auto Express' which is a time table based automobile freight train to transport cars between Gurgaon and Nidvanda (Bangalore).

"Like our ever-growing population, auto population is also increasing on a faster rate. In fact auto sector is a fastest growing economy. If railways can tap it then it will be major source of revenue," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said after launching the first time-tabled auto car freight train service between Gurgaon and Nidvanda (Bangalore) from here through video-conferencing.

He said that with today's flag off that too with time-table run of auto-car freight train would ensure timely delivery of the automobiles which would increase confidence of auto industry on railway's credibility.

The Gurgaon-Bangalore run is not a new one and currently ~2000 cars are being transported between the two locations. With a time tabled run, the travel duration is expected to reduce to 57 hours from current 70 hours and volume is expected to increase to 6000 cars per month. The wagons used are capable of running at 100kmph

Alternative modes of transporting vehicles is a welcome move. Helps reduce the load on the highways, reduces transportation time and potentially also reduces cost. Apart from transporting cars via Railways, Transportation via sea is also picking up.

Representative Video (Courtesy this post (India’s 1st Flexi-Deck Train: By Maruti & Indian Railways))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuAfcrA-Y8g

Related threads:

• Chennai to get India's first Rail Auto Hub (Rail Budget 2016: Chennai to get India's first rail auto hub)
  
  
• India's First Flexi Deck Train (India’s 1st Flexi-Deck Train: By Maruti & Indian Railways)
  
  
• Hyundai starts to use the Sea Route to move cars (Hyundai starts using the sea route to transport cars across India)

Source: ETAuto

[SmartCat]

57 hours is still way too much - dedicated freight corridor is the answer. Start building separate tracks for freight trains and they (investors & customers) will come.



Getting stuck behind one of these on a 2-laned heavy traffic highway or on winding road is something no one relishes.

[maddy42]

Welcome move indeed. The railways really needs to be modernised!

All this truck needs is some POWERRRRRRRRR. High time we start using trucks which can seriously haul and maintain speeds rather than these beasts of burden. Customer needs a powerful horse and the indian truck companies offer a donkey.

Originally Posted by smartcat

Attachment 1528507

Getting stuck behind one of these on a 2-laned heavy traffic highway or on winding road is something no one relishes.

[landcruiser123]

A great move indeed. Transporting cars via the rail network is going to be cheaper, quicker and more efficient.

Originally Posted by smartcat

Start building separate tracks for freight trains and they (investors & customers) will come.

The Indian railways doesn't have capital to do that. Since most passenger fares are subsidized, the prices for transporting freight is extremely high to break even.
Hence, a lot of cargo is sent via roadways.

Getting stuck behind one of these on a 2-laned heavy traffic highway or on winding road is something no one relishes.

KMPL matters. Also, overloading is a reason these beasts are slower than normal.

[GTO]

For those interested in the topic, here's a great discussion.

[NPX]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Start building separate tracks for freight trains

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

A The Indian railways doesn't have capital to do that.

Delhi Mumbai dedicated freight corridor in under construction since late 2013 by L&T (major portion of the corridor, not whole). It comes under the new PSU of GOI named Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India. Also, many more corridors are planned after this one. So, transporting automobiles (other goods too) through Railways has a great future ahead.

For more: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedi...ation_of_India