The trial run of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Mumbai Central and Ahmedabad was successfully completed yesterday. The final decision regarding its regular operation will be taken by the Railway Board.
On Wednesday, the train departed from Ahmedabad at 7:29 AM and reached Mumbai Central at 1:50 PM. Later, it left Mumbai Central at 2:45 PM to return to Ahmedabad. The trial run was conducted at a speed of 130 km/h, with the train touching a maximum speed of 180 km/h during its trial conducted over the past three days.
After thorough analysis, the final certification will be issued by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Following this, the Railway Board will decide on deploying the train for regular services.
Advanced Trials to Follow
According to an official, after completing the initial trials on tracks, more advanced trials will now take place. These include the Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) test at a speed of 130 km/h. This test is crucial for evaluating multiple parameters such as track conditions, signaling systems, traction distribution equipment, and the overall fitness of the engine and coaches.
Earlier, during trials conducted on January 1, the train achieved a speed of 180 km/h over a 40 km stretch between Rohal Khurd and Kota. Additionally, it reached speeds of 170 km/h and 160 km/h on the Kota-Nagda and Rohal Khurd-Chau Mahla sections, respectively.
Features of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
The Vande Bharat sleeper train, set to operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, has 16 coaches, include 11 AC 3 tier coaches, 4 AC-2 tier and 1 first AC coach. The first AC coach has 24 seats and the other AC coaches have 48 seats. It is equipped with several modern amenities, such as separate charging ports for type A and C devices, foldable snack table, integrated lighting system, and laptop charging setup.
For smooth movement, the train features interconnected gangways, dog boxes on both ends, ample linen storage, and 38 special seats for attendants. Each coach is equipped with HL3-grade fire safety systems. Braille navigation has also been included for the convenience of visually impaired passengers.
