India’s First ‘Engine-Less’ Train To Be Rolled Out Next Month, To Replace Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi

Indian’s first ‘engine-less’ train which will replace Shatabdi Trains will be rolled out from Integral Coach Factory (ICF) next month, Deccan Herald has reported.

‘Train 18’, the latest product of ICF, can travel at a speed of 160 kmph and was earlier expected to be rolled out by July. But, ICF had sought more time to ensure world-class quality.

“We hope to release the first set of trains during the first week of October. Once we roll out the first set, it will be put to rigorous tests and trials by the state-owned Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The trials will be supervised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety and only after his nod, the train will be inducted for passenger service,” Chief Design Engineer at Design and Development Centre, S P Vavre told Deccan Herald.

The first set of trains will replace Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express. These indigenous trains will not have a locomotive and the coaches will have traction motors fitted underneath them to make them self-propelled.