Train 18: Know all about Indian Railways make new Semi High Speed Train

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New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): Indian Railway is all set to usher in a new era. The Government of India has undertaken active measures to revive the crumbling infrastructure of Indian railways and curate a world-class experience. The Indian Railways is all set to replace its Shatabdi Express by Train 18 series (new semi high-speed trains). The Ministry of Railways announced plans to invest Rs.905,000 crore (US$126 billion) by 2020, to upgrade the railways.  In the meantime, the Indian Railways’ Research Design and Standards Organisation are involved in executing research and design work for the upgradation and transformation.

India’s first engine-less train for inter-city travel, Train 18, is a stepping stone in this direction. The world-class train is being manufactured at ICF (Integral Coach Factory) in Chennai, using 80% indigenous components. It is a 100% ‘Make in India’ initiative and will be manufactured in a record time of 18 to 20 months. [gallery type="slideshow" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Train 18" ids="2081,2082,2083,2084,2168,2169"] The 18 coach train, with a semi-high speed of 160 km per hour, has the following design, technology and amenity feature making it future ready:

• Train 18 has an aerodynamic driver cabin at each end. The entire set operates as a computer unit; the various equipment of Train 18 “talk to each other digitally” says ICF General Manager Sudhanshu Mani.
• It has a color scheme of white and blue by ICF – a first for Indian Railways. It gives the look and feel of a world-class bullet train.
• Train 18 has centrally operated automatic doors with sliding footsteps to bridge the gap between platform and train. The coach entry area also has automatic sliding doors with optical sensors.
• There are two Executive Chair cars with comfortable European-style seats in the golden colored fabric. The fabric is dust and fire resistant. The headrests are pink and purple.
• A unique feature of the executive chair car seats is that they can be rotated 180 degrees to face fellow passengers.
• Train 18 has aircraft-like diffused LED lighting which can be brightened or dimmed depending on the time of the day. Each seat also has personalized reading lights.
• The aisle seats have handles next to the headrest to allow passengers to hold them for easy movement within the coaches.
• Train 18 has aircraft-like bio-vacuum toilets for efficient flushing. Touch-free sensor-based fittings have been used for optimal consumption of water.
• The mini pantry car in each coach of Train 18 has world-class imported equipment for better heating of food and chilling of cold drinks and juices.
• In yet another first, Train 18 has fully sealed gangways for easy movement between coaches. This also means more effective air-conditioning and keeps coaches dust free.
• The non-executive chair car has seats in the usual 3+2 configuration. These European-style seats have a leather-like covering with the graded coloring of purple and pink. The middle table area of the coach now has foldable snack tables attached to it. This closes the gap between the seat and the table, making it easier to eat food.
• Instead of the aircraft-like reclining system where you push the back support, passengers need to push forward the seat below, hence creating a reclining posture. The feature does not reduce the space available to the passenger sitting behind you. In the case of executive chair cars, this can be done with a button.
• Train 18 will offer onboard WiFi which will allow passengers to play preloaded content on their personal devices. There are mobile and device charging points next to each seat.
• Train 18 has continuous windows for panoramic passenger viewing experience. The windows also have touch-based push-up/down blinds.
• Train 18 has two GPS-enabled information screens at each end of the coach that will keep you informed about the next destination, time of arrival and the speed.
• It has spacious cushioned luggage racks and toilet occupancy indicators.
• Train 18 is disabled-friendly! The driver cabins allow for wheelchairs to be rolled in from each end of the train and the trailing coach area next to the driver cabin has space to park wheelchairs. The toilets in this coach are also disabled-friendly.
• The propulsion system and other equipment are under-slung leaving the entire space on board for passengers. With no locomotives required to haul it, the driver cab coach also has passenger seats.
• The propulsion system and rigid couplings in the bogie mean jerk free rides with faster acceleration and deceleration. The overall journey time will be cut by at least 15%.
• Train 18 makes use of regenerative braking, making it more energy efficient. Train 18 will have no power cars or diesel-based locomotives, hence the carbon footprint would also be lower.

The future train of India is almost complete. The technological dream has a seating capacity for 1,128 passengers. The cost of manufacturing Train 18 under the Make in India movement, is around Rs. 6 crores. This is 60% cheaper than the global cost of similar trains. ICF plans to manufacture two sets of Train 18 initially and six after testing the prototype. Train 18 will change the face of Indian railways by replacing Shatabdi Express.