Made-In-India engineless train to begin trials

According to a media report, the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) will be testing an engineless train for 80 days in three phases. Called Train 18, it is claimed to be the first engineless train conceptualised, designed and manufactured in India.

The first phase of the trial will take place on the Bareilly-Moradabad section with the train touching speeds of around 115 km/h. In the second phase, the train will reach speeds of up to 180 km/h on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur route. The final phase of testing would take place between Delhi and Bhopal via Agra.

The 16-coach train built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai has a cruising speed of 160 km/h. However, a 10% margin is being provided to ensure that the train meets all safety standards. Hence, the test will be carried out at 180 km/h.

Once the train is approved for operation, it is expected to replace the Shatabdi Express between Delhi and Bhopal. Later, it is expected to replace the Shatabdi trains between Chennai and Bengaluru, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Lucknow and New Delhi and Amritsar.

Source: TOI