Mumbai's first AC local train tested between Thane-Titwala

The much-awaited trial of Mumbai's first air-conditioned suburban local train began in the early hours of Friday. According to Central Railway officials, the rake was tested between Thane and Titwala stations.

Railway officials said the report on early Friday morning's trial is awaited from the Research Standards and Design Organisation (RDSO)- the railway's topmost technical authority.

"The AC rake will be be put on trial tonight. The route decided by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is firstly Kurla to Kalyan and secondly Kasara and Karjat. However as per railway testing rules, the RDSO can choose any section and particular location depending on requirement. So tonight (early hours of Saturday) the trial could be anywhere between Thane and Karjat-Kasara as decided by the RDSO", explained a top CR official.

The trials could take as much as 6 months on CR and Western Railway before the rake can be introduced for passenger service, said railway officials.