New Delhi, July 7: Indian Railways is all set to roll out its indigenously manufactured semi high-speed train which will be a boost for inter-city travel in the country. The most awaited train, code-named Train 18, is expected to be rolled out in September this year. According to a report by Economic Times, the semi-high-speed train is being built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF) of Chennai to give a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.

With swanky interiors and exteriors, fibreglass reinforced plastic nose cone, it resembles European semi-high-speed trains. Reports inform that the indigenously built train, with a seating capacity of 1128 passengers in 16 coaches/chair cars, comes with super-comfortable seating, automatic doors, vacuum toilets, space for wheelchairs and disabled friendly restrooms.

The ICF will make six such train sets, out of which two will have sleeper coaches. The Train 18, capable of running at a speed of 160 km per hour was earlier scheduled for roll-out in July.

When asked about the delay, ICF Chennai General Manager Sudhanshu Mani was quoted by Economic Times saying, "There is no delay. The train has been built in record time of 16 months while it takes 2 to 3 years to manufacture such trains anywhere in the world. Earlier, the anticipated turnout time was July. We now expect to roll it out in September”.

The luxury train has some really amazing features to lure travellers, the first being that it doesn't require an engine to run. Train 18 is a luxury train that will be self-propelled on electric traction like the metro trains and comes with technical features for enhanced quick acceleration. If reports are to be believed, the train is believed to replace the existing intercity express trains including Shatabdis.

Another most fascinating feature is that all the coaches of the train will be inter-connected by fully sealed gangways to enable passenger movement from one coach to another. Other attractive features the train would have is Onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, a GPS-based passenger information system, Modular toilets with bio-vacuum system and modular luggage rack with glass bottom along with a host of amenities that passengers will love.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2018 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).