Indian Railways’ two new trains – Vande Bharat sleeper and Vande Metro – is set to undergo trials soon. Vande Bharat sleeper aims to enhance overnight travel, rivaling the Rajdhani Express and Tejas Express trains. On the other hand, Vande Metro focuses on providing swift and comfortable short-distance journeys. According to railway officials, trials for Vande Metro will commence shortly, while Vande Bharat sleeper is scheduled for trials by August 15. These new trains signify a step towards modernizing and improving the travel experience for passengers, offering a blend of speed, comfort, and efficiency in rail transportation.
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Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced that Indian Railways aims to deploy approximately 250 units of Vande Bharat sleeper trains by 2029. “The completion work of the trainset of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing and the first train will be on track within two months. All technical works are in the last phase. The trainset is manufactured by BEML Ltd at its rail unit in Bangalore. The much-awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper version will provide easy mobility to commuters and offer various comforts in the near future with global standards,” Vaishnaw said.
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Vande Bharat sleeper trains features
- Vande Bharat Sleeper will run at a speed of up to 160 kmph, and will be tested at a speed of up to 180 kmph.
- The Vande Bharat sleeper prototype will consist of 16 coaches: 11 AC 3-tier coaches, 4 AC 2-tier coaches, and 1 AC 1st class coach.
- It will accommodate a total of 823 passengers, including 611 in AC 3-tier, 188 in AC 2-tier, and 24 in AC 1st class.
- The berths will feature extra cushioning, surpassing that of Rajdhani Express trains, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
- The interior of the Vande Bharat sleeper will adopt a soothing color scheme with shades of cream, yellow, and wood, creating a pleasant ambiance.
- Improved ladder designs will facilitate easier access to upper and middle berths for passengers.
- Sensor-based lighting in common areas and energy-efficient overhead lighting will provide ample illumination.
- Aisle areas will be equipped with floor strips to ease movement during nighttime.
- Features will include sensor-based intercommunication doors, noise insulation for a silent saloon, special berths and toilets for differently-abled passengers, and automatic entry/exit doors.
- The train will employ semi-permanent couplers, akin to those used in existing Vande Bharat chair car trains, to minimise jerks and enhance passenger comfort.
- Fully sealed gangways will enable seamless movement between coaches, complemented by a well-regulated air-conditioning system ensuring a comfortable and dust-free environment.
- Inspired by the prowess of eagles, the exterior design will feature sleek lines and a fierce aura.
- As a semi-high-speed train, the Vande Bharat sleeper will achieve speeds up to 160 kmph, undergoing testing at speeds reaching up to 180 kmph
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Vande Metro features
- The self-propelled Vande Metro train is intended to replace mainline EMU trains.
- In place of conventional trains, the Vande Metro is a more effective and convenient mode of transportation as it doesn’t need a locomotive to pull it. There will be LCD-displayed passenger information systems and lightweight aluminum luggage racks on Vande Metro.
- The train will include bigger panoramic sealed windows with roller shades, route indicator displays, mobile charging ports, and automatic entry and exit doors.
- Vande Metro is said to accommodate a total of 300 individuals per coach.
- Inside, each coach of the Vande Metro trains will have 100 seats, each with contemporary, lightweight cushions, and an extra 200 standing spaces.
- Vande Metro can run at a top operational speed of 130 kmph.
- The Vande Metro trains will include fast acceleration and deceleration technology, enabling them to operate at a top speed of 130 kmph faster than the present Mainline EMUs.
