India's first engine-less train flagged off from factory

India's indigenously-developed fastest train with a self-propelled or engineless train was flagged off by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani on Monday from Chennai's Integral Coach Factory (ICF).

The train has state-of-the-art features including seats that can rotate 360 degrees and can be aligned in the direction of travel. The train does not have an engine and will cut travel time by 15 per cent as compared to the Shatabdi.

The fully air-conditioned Train 18 comes with on-board infotainment system with WiFi, vacuum toilets, sliding doors and continuous windows for a contemporary modern look are some other features of the trainset.

S Mani, General Manager, ICF, said the train which has a capacity to touch the speed of 160 kmph may soon replace the Shatabdi Express.

"With 16 coaches, the train will have the same passenger carrying capacity. There are now separate power cars. But it is about 15-20 per cent more energy efficient and leaves less carbon footprint," Mani said.

Train 18 has modern look with continuous windows on the exterior and a seating capacity of 1,128.

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.

On the safety front, the Train Management System in the driver's cab will ensure precise brake control. It also has automated doors control like that of a Metro train.