Ministry of Railways explains why high-speed Talgo reached Mumbai three hours late

Spanish-made high-speed train Talgo completed its third and final phase of trial from New Delhi to Mumbai on Tuesday, but arrived at its destination over three hours behind schedule.

The semi-high-speed train had to cover a distance of 1,384 km from Delhi to Mumbai. A western railway official told PTI, "The train had commenced its final phase trial run from Delhi yesterday at 7:55 PM and arrived in Mumbai today at 11.40 AM, over three hours behind schedule." Heavy rains enroute the journey was cited as a reason for delay, otherwise the train would have reached the metropolis at 8.31 AM.

Talgo can attain a maximum speed of 130-150 km/hr, which according to the official was attained in the trial run. However, the average speed that Talgo is estimated at around 90-100 km/hr.

Here's what Ministry of Railways has to say about the trial:

• Talgo special Train departed from New Delhi at 19:55 hrs.
• It travelled through the same route which is followed by the New Delhi – Mumbai Rajdhani Express train No. 12952. It also observed the same permanent and temporary speed restrictions as well as the sectional speeds of Rajdhani Express Train No. 12952.
• The existing Rajdhani Express takes 15:50 hrs from New Delhi – Mumbai Central.​
• Talgo train because of heavy rains enroute and due to point failure at Mathura Junction, reached at 11:36 AM at Mumbai Central. (15:41 hrs)
• There was water logging beyond Surat between Udvada – Vapi – Bhilad section, which considerably delayed the movement of trains as speed restrictions had to be imposed for safety reasons.
• Accordingly beyond Surat the Talgo train could not implement its trial schedule because of the reason beyond their control.
• In anyway from Delhi – Surat Talgo train took around 2 hours less in comparison to Rajdhani Express.
• The Talgo train fully succeeded in its maiden trial between New Delhi & Mumbai.
• But for the reasons mentioned above it would have taken approximately 3 hours less than the Rajdhani train in reaching Mumbai Central. It means that it would have reached in 12 hours 47 minutes as claimed and planned.
• Average Running Speed of Rajdhani Express (New Delhi-Surat) – 89.76 kmph
• Average Running Speed of Talgo Train (New Delhi-Surat) – 106.52 kmph

The train consists of nine coaches, two executive class, four chair cars, a cafeteria, a power car and a tail-end coach for staff and equipment. 

With agency inputs