Engineless Train 18 to Replace Shatabdi Express, Indian Railways to Begin Trials Soon

New Delhi, August 23: The Indian Railways is ready to replace the Shatabdi Express trains. According to media reports, this September, the Indian Railways will introduce its technological marvel named Train 18.

Coming month, the new Train 18 will be out on the tracks. Train 18 is aimed at replacing the superfast Shatabdi Express. News agency IANS  quoted official sources saying that the testing of the new trains will start soon as the Indian Railways is ready for the trails of semi- high speed Train 18.

Train 18 is expected to be the first engine-less train of Indian Railways. It is aimed at inter-city travel. The train is modeled as AC chair car type semi-high speed train. The train is expected to run at a speed of 160 kmph.

But the report also says that it is only after complete and thorough testing of the train, that the Indian Railways will launch the highly advanced Train 18.

Rather than being pulled by a locomotive, 'Train 18' sets are powered by traction motors fitted underneath each coach to render them self-propelled, just like metro trains. The made-in-India fleet was earlier scheduled for roll-out in June.

The Train 18, which is built by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, would promote Make in India, and is capable of running at a speed of 160 km per hour, the official said.

Train 18 series will replace existing fleet of the Shatabdi Express trains. The official also said the ICF will make six such train sets, out of which two will have sleeper coaches.

Laced with state-of-the-art features, all of its coaches will be inter-connected by fully sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, GPS-based passenger information system, modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, rotational seats which can be aligned in the direction of travel (available only in the executive class), roller blinds and diffused LED lighting and accessible toilet for people with disability.

Upon successful implementation of Train 18, the IFC will start working on 'Train 20' which will have an all aluminum body. Aluminum will make the train more aesthetic, lightweight, energy efficient, and durable. (With Agency Inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2018 09:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).