Great news!! By the middle of January 2025, the Vande Bharat sleeper version will be ready
Wednesday, 23rd October was an important day in the Integral Coach Factory or ICF in Chennai. Prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper version was unveiled yesterday at ICF. The news that has come out is that by the middle of January 2025 this VB sleeper version would get ready.
According to ICF GM Mr. U. Subba Rao, the prototype manufactured by ICF in association with BEML (a public sector undertaking) reached ICF some 15 days back. He added that the prototype required some initial commissioning and small works etc on the furnishing side. By 15th of November, the prototype would be ready for trial.
It is learnt that the trial test run would be carried out in Lucknow by RDSO and by western and central railway etc. Both oscillation trials as well as emergency braking distance trials would be carried out at that time. In the running condition, all control & electrical systems would be checked.
Just similar to the VB chair car, the 16 coach VB sleeper version could also run at speeds of 160kmph. Point to be noted is that testing would be done at speeds of 180kmph. At 2 different speeds testing would be carried out that is starting at 90kmph and increasing up to 180kmph. It is now said that the entire protocol would take 2 months of time. The sleeper version would be fully tested and ready for operation by 15th of January 2025.
Commercial use:
The GM of ICF explained that if the central government decides then the VB sleeper version would be put in use by the end of January or by early February 2025. Information gathered is that ICF in combination with BEML would manufacture 10 rakes of 16 car sleeper versions.
Salient features of the prototype are:
In this sleeper version, riding comfort and safety would be much better. It must be taken into account that the furnishings of the VB sleeper version would be HL-3 Hazard Level 3 compliant and unlike the VB chair car version that was HL-2. In the sleeper version, the hazard level and fire safety standards are HL-3 standard as people sleep during the night. One of the value added additions in the VB sleeper version would be the anti climbing feature.
Trials of hydrogen powered train:
It is learnt that the hydrogen powered train prototype would be manufactured by M/s Medha in association with ICF and Southern Railways. At the ICF, two power cars would be manufactured and the first shell of the power car has arrived already. In the next 4 months, the first power car would be commissioned and in next 6 months a second power car would be commissioned. The trials of hydrogen powered trains would be carried out in 6 months from now.
