The self-propelled train, fitted with CCTV cameras, will have two executive compartments. The two executive compartments will have 52 seats each, whereas trailer coaches will have 78 seats each.
Indian Railways high-speed, engine-less train set named Train 18 (T18) will be rolled out soon. The Railways is likely to begin the commercial run of the much awaited Train 18 between Delhi and Varanasi next week, just ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad which begins on January 14, sources said Wednesday.
It is also likely to be one of the four special trains to ferry delegates of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 24 from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad to the national capital in time for the Republic Day event.
While the railways had been saying that it had proposed two routes for the train, Delhi to Bhopal and Delhi to Varanasi, this is the first time that the route has been officially confirmed.
"We have successfully tested the train and the suggestions are being incorporated. Very soon the train will be dedicated to the nation and we have requested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi flag it off. This train will run between Delhi and Varanasi in eight hours and the fastest train between the two cities takes 11.30 hours," Goyal said.
"This train has amenities of international standards, is Wi-Fi enabled, CCTV cameras and it has no locomotive or engine. It is a trainset. It will cover the 750-km route at a maximum speed of 160kmph," said Goyal, who inspected the rake at the New Delhi railway station.
The train which will run at a speed of 130 kmph will reduce journey time between the two cities from the present 11 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours, the Railways said. "The train is 45 per cent faster than the fastest train on this route. It will be flagged off by the prime minister ahead of the Kumbh Mela," said source.
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While Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who inspected the Train 18 rake, on Wednesday refused to give a date for the train's first run, he said it will "begin service soon".
Sources said a date will be finalised once the Railways gets a go ahead from the PMO.
While the train fare is not finalised yet, it is expected to include the cover of food. On its journey to Varanasi on its first run, it will have two stoppages - one at Kanpur and the other at Allahabad.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 25, 2018
(Inputs from PTI)
1. Self-propelled train with CCTV cameras
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T18 to have just 5-6 stoppages in its route journey. The self-propelled train, fitted with CCTV cameras, will have two executive compartments. The two executive compartments will have 52 seats each, whereas trailer coaches will have 78 seats each.
(Photo by: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
2. Potential to travel up to the speed at 160 kmph
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Train 18 has a potential to travel up to the speed at 160 kmph as against 130 kmph for Shatabdis and will result in the travel time being reduced by around 15% once tracks are fitted to suit.
(Photo by: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
3. Designed in a way that passengers can have a look at the driver’s cabin
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India’s first engine-less train was developed by Chennai Integral Coach Factory in 18 months, the full AC train is designed in such a way that passengers can have a look at the driver’s cabin.
(Photo by: Bir Bahadur/DNA)
4. Wi-Fi, vacuum toilets, sliding doors & much more!
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Train 18 has diffused lighting, an on-board infotainment system with Wi-Fi, vacuum toilets, sliding doors besides a GPS-based passenger information system.
(Photo: Tweeted by Piyush Goyal)
5. 100 per cent ‘Make in India’ project
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Train 18, a 100 per cent ‘Make in India’ project, will have a stainless steel car body with LHB as the base design.
(Photo: Tweeted by Piyush Goyal)
6. Automatic doors like Metro coaches
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Like Metro coaches, the doors of Train 18 will open only after the train stops.
