Train 18 during one of its trial runs (Train-18 is now officially recognised as the fastest train in India as per Railway Minister Piyush Goyal’s tweet. The tweet also carries a driver’s view video that shows the speedometer of the train touching 180 kmph, as well as the surrounding scenery zipping away.
The world-class train is manufactured at ICF (Integral Coach Factory) in Chennai, using 80 per cent indigenous components. It is a 100 per cent ‘Make in India’ initiative and was built in a record time of 18 to 20 months. The first prototypes of the train are ready.
The railways has a plethora of features. According to CII, the features of Train 18 include :
- Super-comfortable seating, concealed roller blinds and spacious luggage rack.
- On-board Wi-Fi and GPS-based Passenger Information System, for a smooth, safe and productive ride.
- Continuous windows for a better viewing experience.
- Diffused, energy-efficient LED lighting and halogen-free rubber-on-rubber flooring
- Zero discharge bio-vacuum toilets, with touch-free bathroom fittings, vacuum space for wheel chairs and disabled friendly restrooms.
- Special arrangements for accommodating wheel chairs and providing access in coaches.
- 3-phase propulsion system and jerk-free riding.
- The train will have driving cabs at both ends with less acceleration and deceleration time
The train costs around Rs 5-6 crore per coach. This is 60 per cent cheaper than global cost of similar trains.
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