India's first engine-less train is ready to roll out today.
Engine-less trains till now have been limited to metro networks and suburban travel in India, but on Monday, Indian Railways is all set to roll out its first self-propelled semi-high speed train set for inter-city travel. Codenamed Train 18 based on the year it is being manufactured in, this self-propelled train would be able to travel at speeds of 160 kmph and will eventually replace Shatabdi Express trains on the Indian Railways network. Swanky, world-class and state-of-the-art, Train 18 will offer a host of amenities that passengers will love.
Here's a look at the beauty that's come out of Make In India initiative.
1. Stainless Steel Coaches
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Manufactured at ICF (Integral Coach Factory) in Chennai, first train set has 16 chair-car type coaches -- executive and non-executive. There are two executive chair cars and 14 non-executive chair cars. The maximum seating capacity of executive chair cars is 56 passengers, while those of non-executive is 78.
2. Connectivity
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Train 18 offers onboard WiFi and infotainment for passengers. There is also GPS-based passenger information system. Charging points for the gadgets are right below the seats.
3. Sliding doors
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Automatic doors come with the facility of a sliding footstep that will open when once the train arrives at the platform.
4. Automatic interconnecting doors
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Train 18 has automatic interconnecting doors and the connecting areas are spacious for easy movement. There is halogen-free rubber-on-rubber flooring, concealed roller blinds for improved aesthetics and better view from the window and continuous energy-efficient LED lighting. Train 18 boasts of zero discharge bio-vaccum toilets and touch-free bathroom fittings.
5. Spacious interiors
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The train will reach New Delhi on November 7. But before that, it will take short runs near the ICF in Chennai to test breaking, air conditioning and other systems involved.
6. Train 18 runs
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According to a report in NDTV, the train will do trial runs at Moradabad-Bareli section before moving for regulars runs between Kota and Sawai Madhopur.
7. A Make In India Project
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Train 18 is a 100% 'Make in India' project. It has a potential to travel up to the speed at 160 kmph as against 130 kmph of Shatabdi and would result in the travel time being reduced by around 15 per cent once the tracks are fit to suit Train 18's speed.
8. Safety first
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The self-propelled train is fitted with CCTV cameras for passenger safety.
9. Prototype costs Rs 100 crore
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It cost nearly Rs 100 crore to build the prototype and subsequent production would bring down the cost.
10. Successor to Shatabdi Express
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Shatabdi was introduced in 1988 and is presently running on over 20 routes connecting metros with other important cities. Train 18 will replace these locomotives.
