New Delhi/Chennai, Oct 29(UNI) Expected to replace the existing Shatabdi Express rakes for inter-city travel, India's first self-propelled train from the production shops of Integral Coach Factory--Train 18 makes its debut as its trial run began in Chennai on Monday.
The swanky train features an aerodynamic nose design on both the ends with air-conditioned chair-car formation.
The Train 18 is sure to elevate the passenger experience of train travel in India to never before levels. This all air-conditioned chair-car formation is expected to replace the existing Shatabdi Express rakes for inter-city travel and considerably reduce the travelling time due to its better acceleration and deceleration.
The new age flagship train set code-named Train 18, comprising 16 coaches, is designed for maximum operating speed of 160 kmph, official sources said.
Being developed in a record time of about 18 months, as against the industry demand of about three to four years, the train is designed in such a way to save diesel by dispensing with the power cars and about 30 per cent electricity saving because of advanced regenerative braking system.
The total seating capacity of the new train is 1,128 that's more than the conventional AC chair car trains due to availability of seats in the driving coach and removal of two power cars.
The Train 18 train set, which got ready at an approximate cost of Rs 100 crore per rake- about half the price of importing such a rake from abroad, has about 80 per cent Indian origin components in cue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.
The two driving trailer coaches will enable quicker turn-around time at destinations.
Every alternative coach is motorised to ensure even distribution of Motive Power and Faster acceleration/deceleration. All the coaches are connected by fully sealed gangways with integrated bridge plates, where passenger can walk across freely.
The train has better passenger amenities such as on-board Wi-Fi infotainment, GPS Based Passenger Information System, plush interiors, bio-vacuum toilets, diffused LED lighting, charging points beneath every seat, individual touch based reading lights Intelligent Air-conditioning system that will adjust the cooling according to the climate conditions, occupancy, concealed roller blinds.
The train has facility for PWD passengers to enter the driving trailer coach using their wheel chairs, PWD friendly toilets, auto sensor taps in the toilets, modern pantry and food service facilities, Rotating seats to match with the direction of the train in Executive Class, Automatic Sliding Doors inside the coaches, modular luggage rack with glass bottom.
The advanced state of the art suspension system will also ensure smooth and safe journey for the passengers.
It also has modern look with continuous windows on the exterior, Aerodynamic Nose Design on both the ends.
On safety front, the Train Management System provided with the Driver’s Cab will ensure precise brake control and automated doors control. The automated plug doors provided on the coaches will open only when the train reaches 0 Kmph speed and it will start only after closing of all the doors.
Automated sliding footsteps will also form a temporary bridge between the train and the platform to prevent any accidental slip or fall of the passenger. Moreover emergency talk back units (through which passengers can talk to crew in case of Emergency) and CCTVs are provided in all coaches for safe and secure travel.
Further, CCTV cameras on both the sides of driving cab would help the driver to monitor the movement of passengers on the platform before closing the doors and taking off.

UNI AE AR 1711