Indian Railways to export state-ofthe-art modern trains to Sri Lanka

Indian Railways is all set to export to Sri Lanka a state-ofthe-art swanky and modern Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU) train which was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai, the Financial Express reported yesterday.

According to the ICF, this DEMU train was to be handed over to the RITES engineering consultancy company on November 12.

The ICF said quality of the rake (train) that is being exported to Sri Lanka is worldclass and meets international standards.

The first rake is part of an export order of six rakes of DEMU to Sri Lanka. Each DEMU rake consists of 12 coaches – two driving power cars that have economy-class seating, two driving trailer coaches with economy seating, two air-conditioned chair cars, two business class chair cars that are similar to the first-class of suburban trains, and five economy-class coaches that are equivalent to second-class seating cars in suburban trains.

The DEMU rake is powered by a 1800 HP onboard engine and has a newly-designed stainless steel aerodynamic front end. Keeping in mind, Sri Lanka’s climate and railway lines along the coastal areas, ICF has made the coaches with stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Several of the major fittings on the train are also made of stainless steel. Also, special paint has been used on the bogies and under-frame to prevent corrosion.

According to ICF, the quality of the rake that is being exported to Sri Lanka is world-class and meets international standards. “The challenge this time was to not only provide a product that was reliable but also one that met the requirements of our customer in Sri Lanka in terms of exteriors and pleasing interiors,” he said.“we have already turned out such a DEMU rake for Indian Railways and if there is demand we are geared up to churn out more,” he added.

ICF says that the DEMU rake for Sri Lanka has several firsts – individually revolving seats and the individual audio controls for AC class passengers! While the AC 1st class coach will seat 52 passengers, Economy will seat 90, business class will seat 64 people.

As part of the order, ICF will manufacture 6 DEMU rakes consisting of 78 coaches in five variants. The order is being jointly executed by RITES and ICF under the India-sri Lanka economic cooperation agreement.