VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS TRAIN
During the brainstorming session "Rail Vikas Shivir" held at Suraj Khund, from 18th November 2016 to 20th November 2016, given the proven advantages and reliability of Multiple units compared to Loco hauled in commuter trains, an idea of making Train-sets (Electric Multiple Units) for intercity superfast trains has come up. This is basically replacement of Locomotive Hauled Intercity Express trains with Train-sets on EMU platform. After detailed discussion during the session, it was decided to manufacture World Class Train-sets in India. Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai was chosen as the hub to ‘‘Make in India'' World Class Train-sets at substantial lower manufacturing cost compared to the same if imported. ICF planned to make such Train-set in 2018 and this project code named is Train-18.
The Train-18 is a Semi-High Speed Multiple Unit Train-set with quicker acceleration and contemporary passenger amenities. It offers both comfort and pace to the passengers and fits the bill of replacing intercity express trains. All coaches are Chair Car type for day travel. The most prominent feature is that all coaches are inter-connected by Fully Sealed Gangways so that passengers can move from one coach to other easily.
This is achieved by shifting all Propulsion equipment from Onboard to Under-slung. The Train-set is provided with Automatic Plug Type doors with retractable Foot-step which open and close automatically at the stations.
To make the travel joyful, all coaches of the train are provided with on-board Wi-Fi, infotainment and GPS based Passenger Information System (PIS) which keeps the passengers informed about the travel status. The train has plush interiors and diffused LED lighting. The Toilets of these coaches are fitted with Zero Discharge Vacuum Based Bio-toilets and touch free fittings.
First rake was flagged off by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 15th February 2019 from New Delhi to Varanasi and commercial run started since 17th February 2019. It is a matter of proud and great achievement of Indian Railwayas on first return journey from Varanasi to New Delhi, passengers onboard specially in Executive class appreciated the pleasant journey, esthetic interior look, riding comfort and on board services of the train by mass clapping with high sprit. It is also observed that during enroute journey, huge crowd available in each trip at different places to see and capture the aerodynamic look of the train.
To keep the jerks and vibrations at bay, Train 2018 is equipped with improved mechanical couplers and modern bogies which ICF has developed with fully suspended traction motors, Pneumatic secondary suspension and anti-roll bar. The Brake system is Electro Pneumatic with brake discs mounted directly on wheel discs, which reduces the braking distance, so that full speed potential of the Train Can be harnessed.
SALIENT FEATURES
❖The train set manufactured by ICF, Chennai is a semi-high speed Multiple Unit Train-set.
❖It has quicker acceleration ability and contemporary passenger amenities.
❖It will offer both comfort and pace to the passengers.
❖All coaches will be chair car type for day travel and 180-degree revolving seats at Executive Class.
❖Stainless steel car body with continuous window glasses for contemporary modern look.
❖All coaches will be inter-connected by fully sealed gangways so that passengers can move from one coach to other with ease.
❖All propulsion equipment’s are shifted from onboard to under-slung. All power components such as line & traction converters, auxiliary converter, air compressor, battery box, battery charger, brake chopper resister are mounted under the frame.
❖It will be provided with automatic plug type doors with retractable foot step which will open and close automatically at the stations.
❖To make the travel more joyful ride, all coaches of the train will be provided with on-board Wi-Fi, infotainment and GPS based Passenger Information System (PIS) which will keep the passengers informed about the travel status.
❖All coaches have one on-board mini pantry.
❖Special provisions in DTC (Driving Trailer Coach) for persons with disability and place for wheel chair and special lavatory.
❖The train will have plush interiors and diffused LED lighting.
❖The toilets of these coaches will be fitted with zero discharge vacuum-based bio-toilets and touch free fittings.
❖All coaches are air-conditioned including driving cab.
❖Equipped with improved mechanical couplers and modern bolster less design bogies with fully suspended traction motors, pneumatic secondary suspension and anti-roll bar.
❖The brake system is Electro Pneumatic (EP brakes) with brake discs mounted directly on wheel discs, which reduce the braking distance, so that full speed potential of the train can be harnessed.
COMPARISON BETWEEN LOCO HAULED TRAINS AND TRAINSET
| S. No. | Loco hauled Train | Train set |
| a) | Conventional train is hauled by a locomotive attached at the end of train formation. | Distributed power i.e. traction units or propulsion systems are distributed over the train formation. |
| b) | Reversal requirements at terminals. | No reversal requirement at terminals. |
| c) | Sluggish acceleration and deceleration. | Quick acceleration & deceleration. Reduction in travel time. |
| d) | Inferior utilisation of platform lengths as locomotive takes up some length. | Better utilisation of platform space as locomotive is not required. |
| e) | Concentrated weight in locomotive. Higher coupler forces. | Uniform weight distribution. Lower coupler forces. |
| f) | Requires higher capacity mechanical coupler resulting in jerks. | Because of distributed power semi-permanent coupler can be used which is jerk free. |
| g) | No redundancy | Redundancy |
DETAILS OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS OF NORTHERN RAILWAY
TRAIN NO. | ROUTE | COMMERCIAL RUN STARTED |
| 22436/35 | NDLS-BSB | 17.02.2019 |
| 22439/40 | NDLS-SVDK | 05.10.2019 |
| 22447/48 | NDLS-AADR | 19.10.2022 |
| 22458/57 | DDN-ANVT | 29.05.2023 |
| 22415/16 | BSB-NDLS | 20.12.2023 |
| 22426/25 | ANVT-AYC | 04.01.2024 |
| 22478/77 | SVDK-NDLS | 04.01.2024 |
| 22488/87 | ASR-DLI | 06.01.2024 |
| 22470/69 | NZM-KURJ | 15.03.2024 |
| 22490/89 | MTC-LKO | 01.09.2024 |
| 22500/499 | BSB-DGHR | 16.09.2024 |
