Vande Bharat (Sleeper) Express

This article is about the upcoming Vande Bharat (Sleeper) Express services offered by Indian Railways. For the EMU trainset, see Vande Bharat (sleeper trainset).

Vande Bharat (Sleeper) Express
First Prototype of the train
Overview
Service typeInter-city semi-high-speed rail
StatusUnder Construction
PredecessorRajdhani Express
First serviceTBD
Websiteindianrail.gov.in
Route
Line(s) used0
On-board services
Class(es)First AC (1A)
Second AC (2A)
Third AC (3A)
Sleeping arrangements
  • Airline style
  • Sleeping seats
Catering facilitiesOn-board catering
Observation facilitiesWide Windows
Entertainment facilities
Other facilities
Technical
Rolling stockVande Bharat (sleeper trainset)
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead line
Operating speed160 km/h (99 mph) (maximum)

Vande Bharat (Sleeper) Express is a planned medium to long-distance superfast express service by Indian Railways. It will be a reserved, air-conditioned sleeper service connecting cities that are 800 km (500 mi) to 1,200 km (750 mi) apart. It would be operated by self-propelling trainsets, designed and manufactured in India. The trainsets are expected to operate at speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph). The first prototype was rolled out by BEML in September 2024 and it is expected to enter commercial service in December 2024.

History

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Efforts to increase speed (1960–2016)

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In 1960, the Railway Board of India commissioned a study to increase the speed of its trains, which was restricted to 96 km/h (60 mph) on the existent broad gauge lines.[1] A target of 160 km/h (99 mph) with an intermediate stage of 120 km/h (75 mph) was set for passenger trains. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) started work on the same and using the coaches were manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Madras and hauled by diesel locomotives, Rajdhani Express capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) were introduced in 1969.[2][3] With the introduction of WAP-1 electric locomotives, Shatabdi Express introduced in 1988, were capable of running at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).[4][5][6]

Talgo train at New Delhi railway station during trials in 2016

From the late 1990s, the ICF coaches were replaced by safer and newer LHB coaches designed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany.[7][8] In December 2009, the Ministry of Railways of Government of India envisaged the implementation of high-speed rail projects to provide services at 250–350 km/h (160–220 mph) with the up-gradation of existing tracks, construction of new lines and introduction of high speed trainsets.[9][10] In 2014, proposals were made to introduce semi-high-speed 160–200 km/h (99–124 mph) services between major cities.[11] In 2016, Gatimaan Express was inaugurated which achieved speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph) between Delhi and Agra.[12]

In June 2016, Indian Railways sought Requests For Qualification (RFQ) to jointly manufacture five thousand Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) sets with interested international and domestic parties.[13] In 2015, Talgo conducted trial runs on the Mumbai–Delhi line, completing the journey in ten hours, almost six hours quicker than the existing fastest train with an average speed of 117.5 km/h (73.0 mph). There were significant issues such as the adaptation of rakes, maintenance, higher costs and robustness.[14] Indian Railways could not reach a direct agreement and the deal never materialised.[15]

Making an indigenous trainset (2016–present)

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Introduced in 2019, the Vande Bharat is capable of reaching speeds of up to 180 km/h (110 mph).

After foreign proposals for introducing semi-high-speed trains were unsuccessful, the Make in India campaign fueled the cause for developing the next generation EMU semi-high speed trainsets locally. ICF worked on an indigenous design, which was constructed at the Integral Coach Factory.[16] These trainsets known as Train 18 initially, were introduced in 2018. They reached speeds of up to 183 km/h (114 mph) in trials and were later renamed to Vande Bharat.[17][18] On 15 February 2019, the first Vande Bharat Express was flagged off by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[19][20] Since Vande Bharat trains provided fast service across short-distances, ICF started developing long-distance version of the trainset with sleeper cars.[21] The first prototype was rolled out by BEML in September 2024.[22] The first trainset is expected to be ready for testing by September 20 and is expected enter commercial service by December 2024.[23][24]

Rolling Stock

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Further information: Vande Bharat (sleeper trainset)

The train will use Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trainsets built by ICF, which are expected to achieve semi-high speeds of 180 km/h (110 mph).[25] The train's design includes a new aerodynamic front design made from high-strength materials for improved durability and reduced maintenance.[26] The trainsets will have sixteen cars, capable of accommodating up to 823 passengers.[23][22][27]

Facilities

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The train is expected to be a reserved, air-conditioned sleeper service connecting cities that are 800 km (500 mi) to 1,200 km (750 mi) apart.[27] The train will consist of three classes of accommodation with one First AC (1A) coach, four Second AC (2A) and 11 Third AC (3A) coaches, which can accommodate 24, 188 and 611 passengers respectively.[22][25] The coaches will be equipped with facilities similar to The Vande Bharat Express (Train-18) featuring electric outlets, reading lights, CCTV cameras, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps and Passenger information system. [23][27] It will also have fully air-conditioned locomotive cabins with dedicated toilets for train drivers.[22][27] The service will offer onboard catering with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Railways golden girl: 50 years of the Rajdhani story". The Hindustan Times. 9 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. ^ Railway Budget of 1969–70 (PDF). Indian Railways (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Kolkata loses last connect to first Rajdhani". The Times of India. 22 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. ^ WAP-1 locomotive (PDF). South East Central Railway (Report). 9 October 1989. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ^ "'Shatabdi is the heart of Indian railways'". The Times of India. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Trains faster than Rajdhani, Shatabdi on the cards". The Economic Times. 23 January 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Indian Railways Passenger Coaches: Safety Features and Technologies Adopted" (PDF). International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research. April 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  8. ^ Debroy, Bibek (9 February 2018). "A 70-Year-Old Vs a 30-Year-Old: LHB Coaches Perform Better than ICF Ones". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  9. ^ Indian Railways: Vision 2020 (PDF). Indian Railways (Report). 18 December 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  10. ^ "India getting ready for bullet trains". Central Chronicle. 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Rail Budget 2014: High-speed trains proposed to connect major cities". The Economic Times. 8 July 2014. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  12. ^ "200 km in 90 mins: Delhi-Agra high speed train sets new speed record". The Economic Times. 3 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  13. ^ "Indian Railways to invite bids for manufacturing modern coaches". The Statesman. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  14. ^ Dhoot, Vikas (24 July 2015). "Train from Spain: Government considering Talgo proposal to run trial runs of faster trains between Mumbai, Delhi". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  15. ^ Ranjan, Rakesh (2 January 2018). "Talgo high-speed trains stop in their tracks after government waves red flag". India Today. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  16. ^ "RDSO design light aluminum coaches of Train-18 which can cruise at 200 KMPH". The Times of India. 23 June 2022. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Vande Bharat clocks 183 km but glass filled to the brim with water stays stable". The Economic Times. 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Train 18 named Vande Bharat Express: Piyush Goyal". The Economic Times. 27 January 2019. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Vande Bharat Express flagged off: How to book, fares and more". The Hindustan Times. 15 February 2019. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Train 18: PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Express on February 15 from New Delhi". Business Today. 7 February 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  21. ^ "'Vande Bharat may soon replace Rajdhani and Shatabdi' — In conversation with BG Mallya, GM at ICF, Chennai". The Financial Express. 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d "First Vande Bharat sleeper train to run in three months in Karnataka: Vaishnaw". The New Indian Express. 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Vande Bharat sleeper coaches to be dispatched from Bengaluru's BEML soon". The Financial Express. 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  24. ^ "'Best in the world': Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav unveils Vande Bharat sleeper coach in Bengaluru". The Hindustan Times. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Bengaluru: First Vande Bharat Prototype Sleeper Train Unveiled in India, Check Details". News18. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Vande Bharat Sleeper: Trainset to get advanced amenities, airplane-like features". Moneycontrol. 1 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d "Vande Bharat Sleeper Express features promise better comfort, safety, and more". India Today. 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach Prototype Revealed: See photos, features of new 'aam aadmi' train, better than Rajdhani". The Economic Times. 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
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