New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The brand new Train 18, which rolled into the national Capital on a sunny Wednesday morning from Chennai, is 'train with a brain' built from the scratch by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at a cost which is said to be half the price of a similar imported passenger train.
The most modern T 18 train set has been built at a cost of Rs. 100 crore and the Indian Railways has expressed its desire to present it in the international arena, highly placed sources in the Railways said. It may represent Indian Railways' modern and affordable technology abroad because of which it could come up with such a milestone at ICF near Chennai.
The new age flagship train which comprises 16 coaches, is designed for maximum operating speed of
180 kmph with potential to run at 200 kmph once its gets on tracks finally after the conclusion of trial run, the sources said.
Member (Rolling Stock), Railway Board Rajesh Agrawal told UNI that T18, which has been developed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' programme is fully loaded for trial run starting Wednesday itself between Moradabad and Lucknow section once it leaves New Delhi. ``The new train will hit the tracks soon once trial runs are over,' he said.
The gleaming all white train has been conceived, designed and made in a record time of 18 months, as against the usual time of around three to four years. Railway officials hope that they will get orders from other countries for its affordable and indigenous technology.
Aero-dynamically designed driver cabins at both ends would ensure faster turnaround time Railways' engineering marvel would be 15-20 per cent energy efficient and leave less carbon footprint.
It incorporates many modern features which are making their debut on Indian Railways and it will usher
in a new era of comfort in passenger travel.
The swankiest train till date by features an aerodynamic nose design on both the ends with air-conditioned chair-car formation.
It 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. It will result in saving about 30 per cent electricity 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 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.
It also 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 stops completely 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.
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 hitting the tracks.
UNI AE / VT 1630