The train is currently undergoing trials in Moradabad.
Train 18 -- the country's first engine-less semi-high speed train -- is likely to start operating by December 15, a senior railway ministry official told PTI.
The train is currently undergoing trials in Moradabad.
"Train 18 will run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph between either Delhi and Varanasi or Delhi and Bhopal," the official said.
The fully air-conditioned Train 18, driven by a self-propulsion module was launched last month amid much fanfare by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani at the Integrated Coach Factory in Chennai.
"We have successfully achieved a speed of 120 kmph during trials. We will achieve a speed of 160 kmph and run the train likely by December 15," the official said.
The gleaming, blue-nosed train has a cone-shaped frontage, similar to a bullet train.
It comes fitted with amenities on par with the best in the world from on-board WiFi to GPS-based passenger information system, 'touch-free' bio-vacuum toilets, LED lighting, mobile charging points, and a climate control system that would adjust the temperature according to occupancy and weather.
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.
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.
Automatic doors come with the facility of a sliding footstep that will open when once the train arrives at the platform.
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.
Built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the first trainset is set to have a few imported components such as French-made seats, brakes and couplers from Germany, along with a Czech-made door system.
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 "Train 18, first engine-less train to likely start operating by December 15")
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