Indian Railways is planning to launch a new train that will cater to the needs of the common man. Following the success of the Vande Bharat Express trains, the railway authorities are now focused on creating a more affordable and comfortable travel experience. This new train will feature upgraded second-class unreserved and second-class three-tier sleeper coaches.
An official mentioned that they aim to provide an enhanced travel experience for everyone, although the name of the train has not been determined yet. The train will share certain resemblances with the Vande Bharat Express trains, renowned for their contemporary features and amenities.
However, unlike the self-propelled Vande Bharat Express, this new train will be pulled by locomotives. The unique aspect is that there will be locomotives at both ends of the train. This setup allows the train to utilize the push-pull technology for faster acceleration. Moreover, it eliminates the need to reverse the locomotive at the end station, which reduces the turnaround time.
The train will consist of various coaches, including two second-class luggage, guard, and coaches suitable for passengers with disabilities. Additionally, there will be eight second-class unreserved coaches and twelve second-class three-tier sleeper coaches. All these coaches will be non-air-conditioned.
The Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) is manufacturing the locomotives for the new train. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai will produce the train coaches. Currently, the ICF is the only coach factory manufacturing Vande Bharat Express trains.
A railway official expects to have the prototype of the new train ready by the end of this year. The Railway Board has set a target of October for its completion.
In 2017, Indian Railways launched the Antyodaya Express to improve travel for unreserved passengers. The upcoming train is expected to offer even better amenities than the Antyodaya coaches.