Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 23 : India's railway network, one of the most extensive and the fourth largest in the world, continues to evolve. In the latest development, Vande Bharat's sleeper coaches were introduced to provide a seamless journey experience to passengers.
Integral Coach Factory (ICF) General Manager U. Subba Rao had a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the features of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches.


He said that a collaboration between BEML and ICF has been undergoing commissioning and finishing work since its arrival 10-15 days ago. The upcoming tests will evaluate the train's oscillation, emergency braking, control systems, and electrical systems.
"This train right now is a prototype which is produced with the collaboration of BEML and ICF. It has come here about 10-15 days back. We are doing the initial commissioning and a lot of small works are there inside that we finished on the finished furnishing side which we are completing. By the 15th of November most probably the train will be ready for testing purposes. The testing will be done in Lucknow RDSO and Western Railways. Basically what we call as oscillation trials and emergency braking distress trials and also all the control systems and electrical systems have to be checked in running condition." he said.
He further said that Prototype train testing to commence on Nov 15th, progressing from 90 kmph to 180 kmph in phases. The two-month testing protocol is expected to conclude by Jan 15th, paving the way for certification and regular operations.
"So it will start testing at 90 kmph, 100 kmph, 120, 130, and then right up to 180 kmph, it will be tested. So the whole protocol will take about two months. So once the 15th of November, the train is ready from our side, after commissioning, we expect that December by January 15, and certified for regular operations," he said.
Regarding the upgradation of tracks, he said "upgrading of tracks is a continuous process and a lot of sections have already been identified by the Government of India for upgrading to 160 kmph. But at the moment lot of tracks are also being upgraded to 130 kmph. So it's a gradual process, 130 kmph to 160 kmph. For example, the Chennai-Delhi route, I think most of it is only converted to 130 kmph. And now the project is also on. DPR has been prepared for 160 kmph. So that project also will be taken up."

Speaking to ANI on the features of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, U. Subba Rao (General Manager, ICF) said " So far we have produced chair car racks, but due to the popularity of the train Railway Board asked us to produce the sleeper version. As we already have many orders on hand, so we produce the design and share it with PML to produce the design. For commissioning, it comes to us. After this, the coach will go for outstation trials by RDSO, Lucknow, which will give a certificate for running. The train will be ready by January 15. At the moment, the demand for trains in India is so high that our order books are full and we can't produce more trains for exports. In 3-4 years we can start looking at exports."