‘ Train 18’ trials to begin next month

New Delhi: The Indian Railways will start trials for indigenously- built and much- awaited semi- high speed ‘ Train 18’ from next month, a senior official of the ministry said, three months after its scheduled unveiling.

New Delhi, Aug. 23: The Indian railways will start trials for indigenouslybuilt and muchawaited semi- high speed “Train 18” from next month, a senior official of the ministry said, three months after its scheduled unveiling.

Once, successfully tested, it shall be inducted in the railways fleet.

The Research Design and Standards Organisation ( RDSO), which is a technical adviser to the Indian Railways, will conduct testing and give its validation to the train.

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 madeinIndia 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- theart features, all of its coaches will be interconnected by fully sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi- Fi and infotainment, etc.