World Defense Forum The archive Database for Defense Worldwide

South Asia Indian Railway, Tracking the news, progress and development.

G  South Asian Affairs
South Asia Indian Railway, Tracking the news, progress and development.
More threads by Krishna with Flute

Short Summary: Got it! I'll keep track of Indian Railways' developments and news here. Let me know if you'd like to dive into any specific project or update.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets Record: Delhi to Srinagar in Just 5 Hours​

Story by Vidhee Tripathi
• 1d • 2 min read

1736230736722.png


Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets Record: Delhi to Srinagar in Just 5 Hours

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets Record: Delhi to Srinagar in Just 5 Hours
The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has reached a new milestone by reaching a top speed of 180 km per hour during its trial runs for the last three days. According to media sources, these trains would start operating in May of this year, even though the trials would conclude by the end of January.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw posted a video on Friday showing the train reaching a maximum speed of 180 km/h during its numerous tests.

Vande Bharat Breaks Record

On Thursday, the Vande Bharat sleeper train traveled 30 kilometers in its loaded state between Kota and Laban in Rajasthan's Bundi district.

The minister posted a video showing the water level in a glass kept in the moving train remaining stationary while the locomotive reached a steady 180-kilometer max speed.



According to the Ministry of Railways, on January 1, a trial run of 40 km between Rohal Khurd and Kota was carried out, during which the train reached a maximum speed of 180 km/h. On the other hand, there were peaks of 170 km/h and 160 km/h on the Kota-Nagda and Rohal Khurd-Chau Mahla portions, where the trial was held on the same day.

When Will Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains be Launched?

The trial run, which the RDSO, Lucknow, is overseeing, will run until the end of the month before the service is made accessible to rail passengers nationwide.

The Ministry stated that after these tests are completed, the Railway Safety Commissioner will assess the train at its top speed.


Related video: Vande Bharat Sleeper Hits Stunning Speed Of 180 Kmph; Features Of India's Next Luxury Train (Hindustan Times)

BB18Ldin.img
Hindustan Times
Vande Bharat Sleeper Hits Stunning Speed Of 180 Kmph; Features Of India's Next Luxury Train
Unmute
0

View on WatchView on Watch

"Vande Bharat trains will only be formally certified and turned over to Indian Railways for induction and regular service after passing the last stage," the ministry stated.

Special Features of Vande Bharat Sleeper Train

Vande Bharat Trains have facilities including on-board Wi-Fi, ultra-comfortable beds, automatic doors, and an aircraft-like design.

There are currently 136 medium- and short-distance Vande Bharat trains operating throughout the nation.

ALSO READ: New Delhi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Sleeper Train to Launch in Jan 2025!

ALSO READ: Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach: First Look of this Futuristic Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
 

Attachments

  • 1736230736730.png
    1736230736730.png
    68 bytes · Views: 4
Last edited:
The new Vande Bharat Express designed for operation in cold mountainous areas, Kashmir

New Delhi, January 08 (ANI): The Vande Bharat Express has been equipped with specialized features to enable its operation in cold mountainous areas, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. According to AK Chandra, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Northern Railways, the train has been designed to withstand harsh winter conditions.AK Chandra, Principal Chief Mechanical Engineer, Northern Railways said, "This train has been specifically designed for operations in cold conditions in the Kashmir Valley. It is like other Vandhe Bharat trains with some additional features that enable it to operate in those conditions. It has heating capability for the water tanks and pipelines... Two heating elements of 900kW each have been provided in each water tank. There is a silicone heating pad covering the water tank to maintain the temperature... The coaches will remain heated with a heating element of 900kW each... The windshield has been specifically designed for operations in cold areas. Ice will not be able to stay on it for long.
 

Rs 55,000-crore Vande Bharat sleeper manufacture plans back on track as government okays original design of coaches​

Story by Dipak K Dash
• 10h • 2 min read

1736400363177.png


Rs 55,000-crore Vande Bharat sleeper manufacture plans back on track as government okays original design of coaches

Rs 55,000-crore Vande Bharat sleeper manufacture plans back on track as government okays original design of coaches
NEW DELHI: The issue of four toilets instead of three in each coach of Vande Bharat sleeper trains and a pantry car in every trainset, which had held up the Rs 55,000 crore project, has been resolved, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. He said they will go with the original design of coaches with three toilets and no pantry car in each train since these are meant for overnight journeys.


Kinet Railway Solutions, the SPV of Russian railway major TMH and Indian Railways’ PSU, RVNL, which has bagged a contract to manufacture 1,920 sleeper coaches or 80 trainsets, had raised concern over the change in design and had sought a higher price. “Since there is no change in the original design, there is no need for revising the cost,” Vaishnaw said.

Sources said the railway board had informed their decision to Kinet Railway Solutions in the last week of December. The production of the first prototype is likely in the next one year. Besides Kinet, the railways has awarded a consortium of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems (TRS) the contract to manufacture 1,280 coaches or 53 trainsets. Moreover, a contract for supply of 10 Vande Sleeper trains has been awarded to BEML and Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai on nomination basis.


Related video: The new Vande Bharat Express designed for operation in cold mountainous areas, Kashmir (ANI Video)

He added that Japanese counterparts have appreciated the good progress made in India and the technology for launching 40-metre girders for bullet train projects and they will import this from India.
 
placeholderANI Video
Follow
22h
India's engineering Marvels: Final speed trials conducted on USBRL’s iconic Chenab, Anji Rail bridges

Reasi (J&K), January 08 (ANI): The final speed trials on the Katra-Banihal section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project were held on January 08 as part of the mandatory inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). Final speed trial through Anji Rail Bridge - the country's "first cable-stayed bridge" of Indian Railways connecting Katra and Reasi, and Chenab Rail Bridge - the world's highest railway bridge held. See less
 

Vaishno Devi To Kashmir Train: CRS Completes Survey Of Jammu-Kashmir Track; Timetable For Vande Bharat, Two Other Trains Released | Details​

Story by Jagran English
• 1d • 3 min read

1736487112595.png


Vaishno Devi To Kashmir Train: CRS Completes Survey Of Jammu-Kashmir Track; Timetable For Vande Bharat, Two Other Trains Released | Details

Vaishno Devi To Kashmir Train: CRS Completes Survey Of Jammu-Kashmir Track; Timetable For Vande Bharat, Two Other Trains Released | Details
Vaishno Devi To Kashmir Train Services: The desire to witness the beauty of Kashmir valley by train has come true as railways has completed preparations to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country through the rail network. The Railway Safety Commissioner (CRS) has begun the final inspection, which is in its final stage. It is expected that after the CRS's visit, an announcement regarding the operation of a train from Katra to Kashmir could happen at any time.


Just two days ago, the railway had run a full train on this track. On Tuesday, Railway Safety Commissioner Dinesh Chandra Deshwal conducted a trolley inspection of the 16.5 km track from Katra to Reasi. The CRS will today inspect the track from Katra to Banihal in Ramban using a special CRS train and return by the same route.



Regular Train Service Between Banihal And Baramulla

Notably, regular trains are already running from Banihal to Baramulla in Kashmir. Before the trolley inspection, the CRS participated in a Havan and pooja at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station. He stated that the formation of a railway division in Jammu will connect a large network in Jammu and Kashmir. The track from Katra to Reasi is the final phase of the Udhampur-Shrinagar-Baramulla Rail Link.


Related video: The new Vande Bharat Express designed for operation in cold mountainous areas, Kashmir (ANI Video)
This train which has been specifically designed for operation in


The construction of the 3.2 km long T-1 tunnel in Katra had been delayed, but it was completed in December. The major obstacle in this tunnel under the Trikuta Mountains of Vaishno Devi was constant water seepage. The flow has now been diverted on both sides of the tunnel. During the journey, this tunnel will also be a centre of attraction for the passengers.

Katra-Srinagar Train Schedules Released

Katra is already connected to the rest of the country by rail. The railway has also released the schedule for three trains from Katra to Srinagar, including the Vande Bharat Express. The Vande Bharat train will complete its journey in about 3 hours and 10 minutes, while the Mail Express will take about 3 hours and 20 minutes. The Vande Bharat train will run six days a week. Currently, there are no plans for night trains.

The Vande Bharat will run six days a week, departing from Katra at 8:10 am and reaching Srinagar at 11:20 am.

The Mail Express will run every day, departing from Katra at 9:50 AM and reaching Srinagar at 1:10 PM. Another Mail Express will run daily, leaving Katra at 3:00 PM and arriving in Srinagar at 6:20 PM.


The Mail Express will depart from Srinagar at 8:45 AM and reach Katra at 12:05 PM.The Vande Bharat will depart from Srinagar at 12:45 PM and reach Katra at 3:55 PM. The other Mail Express will depart from Srinagar at 3:10 PM and arrive at Katra at 6:30 PM.

 

Country’s 1st hydrogen-powered train to make trial run soon: Vaishnaw​

3h • 2 min read

1736487985858.png


Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw speaking at the PBD session

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw speaking at the PBD session
BHUBANESWAR: Union minister for Railways, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said India has become the first country to develop an eco-friendly, zero-emission hydrogen-powered train with the highest capacity of 1,200 horsepower.

While the engine manufacturing has been completed, system integration of the train is currently underway. The first train is expected to make a trial run on Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana soon.

Addressing the Indian diaspora during a panel discussion of 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on ‘Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contribution to Sustainable Development’, Vaishnaw said such remarkable achievement using indigenous technology inspires the nation to be a leader among major economies using green energy for growth.

“Only four countries have been able to develop hydrogen trains so far but they produce such trains with the capacity of 500 to 600 horsepower. The hydrogen-run engine developed by the engineers of Indian Railways has the maximum horsepower output than those developed by any country in the world,” he said.

India, Vaishnaw said, has to be future ready and manufacture some of the core parts of the value chain that goes into production of sustainable energy. Some of the core elements that need to be produced are green hydrogen, silicon ingots, lithium ion cells and permanent magnet motors.


Related video: “Green hydrogen hub will create job opportunities …” PM Modi big announcement on Andhra Pradesh (ANI Video)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for manufacturing green hydrogen with a collective investment of Rs 1.85 lakh crore. It will be one of the largest facilities in the world, he said. Junior minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mauritius Hambyrajen Narsinghen spoke on the challenges of climate change in his country and sought India’s support for providing green technology solutions. Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, founder and CTO of Morrow Batteries, Norway, Rahul Fotedar, CEO of UPL for LATAM, Mexico, Jagdish Nainwal, chairman of Indian Business Chambers, Hanoi, Indronil Sengupta and chairman of IREDA Pradip Kumar Das also spoke.
Sharad Pawar praises RSS commitment to its ideology, seeks similar dedication for his party's ideals

Two more held in BMC staff killing, drug cartel angle emerges

Sanitation workers boycott work, Bhubaneswar cleaning stalled
 
“General coach with facilities of premium coach…” Ashwini Vaishnaw inspects Amrit Bharat train

Chennai, January 10 (ANI): Union minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to inspect Vande Bharat rakes, Amrit Bharat train coaches and Vistadome dining car in Chennai on January 10.Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Amrit Bharat train has been made for ordinary citizens. The General coach has the same facilities as any premium coach. It has been made with the sense of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas and upliftment of all. You will see several new features, like the quality of seats and fans, charging points, lumbar support in chairs and newly designed toilets. Improvements are being continuously made in Vande Bharat trains also." See less



 

India Made Hydrogen Fuel Train Engine More Powerful Than Others': Ashwini Vaishnaw​

Story by News18
• 2h • 2 min read

1736507253404.png


Ashwini Vaishnaw (ANI Image)

Ashwini Vaishnaw (ANI Image)© Copyright (C) new18.com. All Rights Reserved.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that the hydrogen fuel-run train engine developed by Indian Railways has the maximum horsepower in the world.

Vaishnaw, who is also the Union Minister in charge of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, said this while speaking at a plenary session titled “Green Connections: Diaspora’s Contribution to Sustainable Development” of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention here.



Stating that only four countries in the world make such train engines, Vaishnaw said, “They produce somewhere between 500 to 600 horsepower while the engine produced by Indian Railways using indigenous technology has an output of 1,200 horsepower, the highest so far in this category.” The minister said the first such train is expected to make a trial run in Haryana soon on the Jind-Sonipat route.


While the engine manufacturing has been completed, system integration of the same is currently underway, he said.

Noting that India’s own technological achievements can help the country produce spin-off products and services, he said when the nation can build a hydrogen-run train engine on such a scale, the potential for adapting this technology to manufacture power trains for trucks, tugboats and others can be understood.


Related video: “Green hydrogen hub will create job opportunities …” PM Modi big announcement on Andhra Pradesh (ANI Video)

“Indigenously developed technology provides a unique chance to create derivative technologies for various applications,” he said.

The minister said such technological advancement gives the nation confidence and India has a long way to go in terms of achieving technological self-sufficiency and needs to make parts of the value chain.

Hambyarajen Narasinghaen, the junior minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, who also took part in the panel discussion, focused on the challenges of Climate Change in his country and sought support from India in providing green technology solutions.

Apart from Narsighen, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius Rahul Fotedar, Founder & CTO of Morrow Batteries of Norway, Jagdish Nainwal, CEO of UPL for LATAM, Mexico, Indronil Sengupta, Swiss Biotech Association of Swizerland, Jitendra Kr. Sachdeva, Group President, SkipperSeil Ltd, Nigeria, Kishore Reddy, Anju Virmani participated, and others took part in the plenary session.



Outside the function, Vaishnaw told reporters that the Centre has been taking measures to transform Odisha into a major Information Technology hub in the next two to three years.

He said this has been thoroughly discussed with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The process will begin in this regard in a couple of months.

Vaishnaw, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, said all steps will be taken to impart proper training to the youths as part of the efforts to make the state IT hub.

Noting that the Centre has announced railway projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crore for Odisha in the past, Vaishnaw said the construction work of these projects has been expedited and talks were also held with the CM for development of railway infrastructure in the state.

Vaishnaw also said that the Railways will run a special train from Odisha to Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Maha Kumbh-2025 at Prayagraj.

 

Attachments

  • 1736507253413.png
    1736507253413.png
    68 bytes · Views: 4

Bengaluru To Manufacture India's First High-Speed Train, Designed For 280 Kmph For The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor​

V Bhagya Subhashini
Sep 20, 2024, 12:07 PM | Updated 12:15 PM IST




A Bullet Train (Representative Image)

A Bullet Train (Representative Image)
  • Due to high prices quoted by Japanese firms, the Indian government opted to manufacture these high-speed trains domestically.
Bengaluru, known for its technological advancements, is poised to make history by manufacturing India’s first high-speed train. On 5 September 2024, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) issued a tender to build two state-of-the-art high-speed chair-car trains, designed to reach a top speed of 280 km/h and operate at 250 km/h.

After the tender closed on 19 September, BEML (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited) in collaboration with Medha Servo Drives, emerged as the sole bidder, setting the stage for India's leap into the high-speed rail era.

These trains will be part of the ambitious 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, estimated to cost Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

Initially, the corridor was planned to feature Japanese Shinkansen E5 trains, capable of reaching up to 350 km/h. However, due to the high prices quoted by Japanese firms, the Indian government opted to manufacture these high-speed trains domestically.

An official from the railway ministry revealed that BEML, known for its car body manufacturing expertise, will partner with Medha Servo Drives, which has a proven track record in propulsion systems, including the Vande Bharat trains.

“Medha’s propulsion system, which powers the Vande Bharat trains running at 160 km/h, will now be enhanced to achieve 250 km/h,” said the official. The BEML-Medha consortium plans to consult a European design firm to ensure the new trains meet global standards.

The first train, with a design speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 250 km/h, is expected to roll out by December 2026. Trials will begin on the Surat-Bilimora section of the MAHSR corridor.

The train will consist of seven cars, featuring a standard 3+2 seating arrangement and one executive car with a 2+2 configuration, offering a seating capacity of approximately 174 passengers. The number of cars could increase to 12 or even 16, depending on future demand.

Medha will handle the development of the Train Control and Management System (TCMS) and propulsion systems from its Hyderabad facility, while BEML will oversee the final assembly in Bengaluru.

“After successful trials, we anticipate more orders for additional trainsets, not only for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route but also for other high-speed corridors like Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Hyderabad, and Bengaluru-Chennai,” the official added, reports Moneycontrol.

Targeting Export Markets

These trains are being built for standard gauge tracks, with the Indian government eyeing export markets in Southeast Asia and Africa.

BEML and Medha's collaboration on this project is a significant step towards enhancing India's capability to build high-speed rail infrastructure, potentially paving the way for more domestic and international orders.

The current tender, estimated to be valued between Rs 200-250 crore per train, is expected to be finalised within a week. Though the initial order is small, BEML is confident of completing the manufacturing within 2.5 years, setting a new benchmark for India’s railway sector.

This domestic development of high-speed trains could mark a turning point in India's rail history, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and showcasing India’s growing technological prowess in high-speed rail manufacturing.


 

What Is A Tilting Train And Why India's Getting 100 Of Them​

Tilting trains are operational in 11 countries and an Indian Railways official said that Vande Bharat trains will also have this technology soon.​

  • Edited by:Amit Chaturvedi
  • India News
  • Nov 25, 2022 19:18 pm IST
    • Published OnNov 25, 2022 19:16 pm IST
    • Last Updated OnNov 25, 2022 19:18 pm IST
Read Time:3 mins
Share
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Email


What Is A Tilting Train And Why India's Getting 100 Of Them

Vande Bharat trains to be manufactured by 2025 will have this technology.
India will get its first tilting train in the next two-three years, according to a senior official of Indian Railways. The technology enables trains to maneuver curves at increased speed, that too on regular tracks, just like a motorcycle on a winding road. Vande Bharat trains, manufactured in India, will be equipped with the technology by 2025 that will improve their speed. Such trains are now operational in 11 countries - Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, the UK, Switzerland, China, Germany and Romania.

"We will have tilting trains in the country. We will tie up with a technology partner for this. We will have this technology in 100 Vande Bharat trains over the next two to three years," news agency PTI quoted the Railways official as saying on Friday.

The Indian Railways has explored various options in the past regarding tilting trains, but has never finalised any detail. It also had discussions with Spanish manufacturer Talgo as well as the Switzerland government, PTI added.

How does a tilting train work?

When a train rounds a curve at speed, objects (and people) inside experience centrifugal force, which pushes them outwards.

The effect can cause luggage inside to slide, seated passengers to feel squashed and standing passengers to lose balance. These trains are designed to counteract the effect by tilting the carriages towards the inside of the curve, thus compensating the g-force.

According to Sweden-based KTH Engineering Sciences, there can be various mechanisms to neutralise the tilt force and achieve a balance. It further explains how motion sickness can be essentially eliminated by adjusting the timing of when the cars tilt.

 

What Is A Tilting Train And Why India's Getting 100 Of Them​

Tilting trains are operational in 11 countries and an Indian Railways official said that Vande Bharat trains will also have this technology soon.​

  • Edited by:Amit Chaturvedi
  • India News
  • Nov 25, 2022 19:18 pm IST
    • Published OnNov 25, 2022 19:16 pm IST
    • Last Updated OnNov 25, 2022 19:18 pm IST
Read Time:3 mins
Share
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Email


What Is A Tilting Train And Why India's Getting 100 Of Them's Getting 100 Of Them

Vande Bharat trains to be manufactured by 2025 will have this technology.
India will get its first tilting train in the next two-three years, according to a senior official of Indian Railways. The technology enables trains to maneuver curves at increased speed, that too on regular tracks, just like a motorcycle on a winding road. Vande Bharat trains, manufactured in India, will be equipped with the technology by 2025 that will improve their speed. Such trains are now operational in 11 countries - Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, the UK, Switzerland, China, Germany and Romania.

"We will have tilting trains in the country. We will tie up with a technology partner for this. We will have this technology in 100 Vande Bharat trains over the next two to three years," news agency PTI quoted the Railways official as saying on Friday.

The Indian Railways has explored various options in the past regarding tilting trains, but has never finalised any detail. It also had discussions with Spanish manufacturer Talgo as well as the Switzerland government, PTI added.

How does a tilting train work?

When a train rounds a curve at speed, objects (and people) inside experience centrifugal force, which pushes them outwards.

The effect can cause luggage inside to slide, seated passengers to feel squashed and standing passengers to lose balance. These trains are designed to counteract the effect by tilting the carriages towards the inside of the curve, thus compensating the g-force.

According to Sweden-based KTH Engineering Sciences, there can be various mechanisms to neutralise the tilt force and achieve a balance. It further explains how motion sickness can be essentially eliminated by adjusting the timing of when the cars tilt.


The nearest example to India of a tilting bullet train is the Haramain Express in Saudi Arabia between Makkah and Madinah which is a TALGO 350 class train manufactured in Spain. The entire railway and rolling stock cost around $10 Billion.

The Saudis were wise to choose TALGO in Spain as the supplier of tilting trains because they invented the tilting concept and have been making tilting trains since 1942.

1737477914252.png


These tilting trains are also in use by RENFE (Spanish Rail organization) in Spain.

I have been a passenger on this rolling stock and can vouch for its smooth and quiet ride while achieving speeds of 300 KMH (187 MPH).

1737477661354.png


1737477759420.png
 
Last edited:

Latest Tweets

Dogun18 Ghazi52 Dogun18 wrote on Ghazi52's profile.
Hello Mr. Legend!

Members Online

Latest Posts

Back