P .S.Walia
Kapurthala, February 11
Rail Coach Factory is aiming to come out with the first prototype Coach of Vande Metro –a train meant for handling intercity traffic—by April this year, said general manager S Srinivas here.
He further said that prototype coach would be put on trials on rail track and on the success of trials ,RCF will start its production and the 16 coaches Vande Metro train will be ready by the later part of 2024-25 .
GM said 15 more vande metro trains would be rolled out during 2024-25.
Vande Metro, which is designed on the concept of India’s first indigenous semi-high speed train Vande Bharat, will cater to intercity passengers covering up to a distance of 250 kms.
“The RCF has started manufacturing Vande Metro train, which is a similar to Vande Bharat. It will be a 16 air conditioned coaches train, having a maximum speed of 130 km per hour. This train is meant for intercity traffic,” Srinivas told PTI.
We are aiming that the first prototype of the train is ready by April, he further said.
Vande Metro, which will enhance passenger experience and accessibility, will be configured in a rake formation comprising 16 air conditioned coaches.
Sharing details about the train, the RCF general manager said each coach will have the capacity to carry 280 passengers –100 seating capacity and 180 standing capacity.
The total passengers carrying capacity will be 4,364 passengers in a rake of 16 coaches, disclosed the GM.
The 3×3 bench-type seating arrangement maximizes passenger capacity, providing a comfortable medium distance commute.
Prioritizing passenger communications, Vande Metro coaches will be equipped with a passenger talk back system to communicate with the train driver in case of emergencies.
The system allows passengers to communicate easily with train staff in case of emergencies or to address any concerns, he informed.
Each coach will be equipped with a fire and smoke detection system with 14 sensors in each coach, he added.
There will be a wheel-chair accessible lavatory in coaches, he further said.
The train will be equipped with the Kavach system, which is a pivotal measure to prevent collisions, he said.
The gangway, which joins two coaches, will be wide like corridors to provide smooth walk in the train, he said.
Windows and doors are designed for both safety and convenience with wider openable hopper-type windows for emergency situations and spacious entrances featuring wider doors.
For passenger comfort, automatic plug doors at the entrance and touch free doors in the compartment area will be provided, he said.
The GM further said that the RCF rolled out 24 special Rajdhani sleeper coaches in December last year for running a long distance train on Udhampur-Srinagar –Baramulla rail section.
RCF engineers added a special feature in these coaches to provide hot water during winter season in the lavatories, said Srinivas.
The GM said the next rake of 24 coaches will be rolled out in the month of march this year and two more rakes will be rolled out in the next financial year.
On Vistadome coaches for heritage Kalka-Shimla rail link, the GM said trials had been successfully completed and new Vistadome coaches will run soon on this narrow gauge after clearance from the commissioner railway safety.
The RCF will manufacture 30 more vistadome coaches after clearance from railway safety in the next financial year.
Highlighting the achievements of RCF, the GM said one cargoline double decker coach which could carry 46 passengers and 6 tonne of load is presently on trial on Ambala-Sahnewal section.
RCF is a coach manufacturing unit of Indian Railways. It has built over 43,000 coaches since its inception in 1988.
