New Delhi: Indian Railways will soon offer the comfort and convenience of the flagship Vande Bharat Express trains in sleeper mode as well. The trains, which have been designed in India are also being made in India. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train prototype was launched earlier this year. However, the train has only recently started to udnergo trials.
According to U Subba Rao, chief of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, after a trial run in 2025, the train will be launched on multiple routes. Vande Bharat Sleeper train oscillation trials started on November 15, 2024, for 2 months. Another trial will be considered after this before the train is green-signalled for actual deployment, Dainik Hindustan reported.
When will Railways launch Vande Sleeper trains?
The Indian Railways plans to launch the flagship Vande Bharat Sleeper trains in the next year, i.e., 2025-26. This means that the trains need to undergo trials this year itself. The trains will only be pressed into actual service after rigorous trials. The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is likely to be deployed on the route from Pune to Delhi or Delhi to Srinagar, according to the report.
Vande Bharat Sleeper train features
Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will have 16 coaches. This train is expected to accommodate 823 passengers in 3 travel classes, namely, First, Second and Third AC. Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are capable of hitting speeds of up to 160 kmph. The train berths are expected to have improved cushioning to improve passengers’ sleep quality.
Easy access ladders for middle and upper berth passengers will be provided on these new trains. The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are self-propelled with driver cabins on both sides, making locomotives redundant. These trains will be equipped with fully sealed gangways for ensure improved cooling and keep out dust.
Austentic steel will be used to build the walls and roofs of the train for extra durability. The coaches will have interconnected doors and automatic entry/ exit doors. Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will ensure hygiene with bio-vacuum toilets. Crash buffers, deformation tubes, higher fire safety standards and a fire barrier will make Vande Bharat sleeper trains among the safest.
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