Indian Railways is planning to introduce a new low-cost non-AC train for the general public. Indian Railways is expecting to come up with a new and enhanced train with enhanced second-class unreserved and second-class 3-tier sleeper coaches after stepping up the rollout of Vande Bharat Express trains.
The new train’s name has yet to be determined, but the goal is to create a train that provides a better travel experience for the average person. According to railway officials, the new train would have several features similar to the Vande Bharat Express trains.
The upcoming new train will be loco hauled, as compared to the Vande Bharat Express, which is a self-propelled train set. Unlike other Indian Railways trains, this one will be carried by engines at both ends. Since the train will have a locomotive at either end, it will be able to employ push-pull technology for quicker acceleration. This also eliminates the requirement for a locomotive reversal at the finishing station, resulting in a shorter turnaround time.
The LHB train will include two-second baggage, guard, and divvying-friendly carriages, eight second-class unreserved coaches, and twelve second-class three-tier sleeper coaches. All coaches will come from outside the AC.
The engines for this new train are being built at the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW), while the train carriages will be built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Kolkata.ICF Chennai is now the sole Indian Railways coach plant producing Vande Bharat Express trains.
According to a railway official, the prototype of the new train is likely to be put out by the end of this year, with the Railway Board targeting October as a deadline. In 2017, railroads introduced the new Antyodaya Express for unreserved travel with improved passenger facilities. However, with the new train expected to have Vande Bharat Express elements, it is likely to be a step up from Antyodaya carriages as well.
