Vande Bharat sleeper train sets will have a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph.
New Delhi: According to the latest reports, India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to be operational by the end of the year. If this materialises then this will be the third version of the Vande Bharat series.
When Is First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Expected
The first train is expected to be dispatched from Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) plant in Bengaluru by September 20, said U Subba Rao, General Manager, Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai while talking to Moneycontrol.
“BEML is doing the integration work, and we expect the coaches to arrive at ICF, Chennai by September 20. We will then do the rake formation, final testing and commissioning, which will take around 15-20 days,” said Rao.
“Post this, it will undergo mainline tests, including oscillation trials, which will last one or two months under the supervision of Lucknow-based Railway Design and Standards Organization (RDSO). The trial runs are likely to be conducted on the North Western Railway zone for high-speed testing,” he said.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Designed On Europe’s Nightjet Sleeper Train
The Vande Bharat sleeper is designed on the Nightjet sleeper trains in Europe to offer a world-class travel experience to its passengers on overnight journeys, said a source from the Indian Railways adding, “There will be floor LED strips below the ladder for passengers heading to the washroom at night when the lights are off. There will also be separate berths for train attendants.”
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Maximum Speed
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai had in May 2023 placed an order with BEML Limited for the design and manufacture of 10 rakes of 16-car Vande Bharat sleeper train sets, which will have a maximum operational speed of 160 kmph (180 kmph during testing).
“This is the first Vande Bharat sleeper train. It is taking a bit more time to complete. It will meet European standards and will be operational by December 2024 after all tests and trial runs,” said Rao.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Features
- Vande Bharat sleeper train will have 16-coaches, 823 berths, including 11 3AC coaches (611 berths), 4 2AC coaches (188 berths), and 1 1AC coach (24 berths). The first Vande Bharat sleeper train has been modelled on design inputs from Poland based EC Engineering.
- Each sleeper berth will have reading lights, charging sockets, a mobile/magazine holder, and a snack table.
- Reduced noise
- Reinforce the front nose cone to better withstand cattle collisions
- Equipped with the Kavach collision avoidance system
- Stainless steel car bodies
- Crash-worthy passenger safety
- GFRP interior panels
- Aerodynamic design
- Modular pantry
- Fire safety compliance (EN 45545)
- Facilities for differently-abled passengers
- Automatic doors
- Sensor-based intercommunication
- Fire barrier doors
- Ergonomic toilet systems
- Integrated reading lights with USB charging
- Public announcement systems
- Luggage rooms