Vande Bharat
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
In service2019–present
ManufacturerICF
DesignerRDSO
AssemblyChennai
Built atICF
Constructed2017−present
Entered service15 February 2019
Number under construction8
Number built45 (2 extra as backup)[1][2]
Number in service41
Number scrapped2[3]
PredecessorMEMU
Formation16 cars (4 Power units)
Capacity1,128 (16-car)[4]
OwnersIndian Railways
OperatorsIndian Railways
Lines served41
Specifications
Car body constructionLight-weight Stainless steel[5]
Train length384 m (1,260 ft) (16-car)[6]
Car length24 m (79 ft)[7]
Width3,240 mm (10.63 ft)[7]
Height4,140 mm (13.58 ft)[7]
EntryPlatform level
DoorsAutomatic doors
Articulated sections15 (16-car)
Wheel diameter0.952 m (3 ft 1.5 in)[8]
WheelbaseBogie centres
Maximum speed183 km/h (114 mph)
Weight392 tonnes (386 long tons; 432 short tons)[9]
Axle load17,000 kg (37,000 lb)[8]
Steep gradient1:37[8]
Traction system2x25 kV[10]
Acceleration0.7 m/s2 (2.3 ft/s2)[8]
Deceleration0.8 m/s2 (2.6 ft/s2)[8]
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC via Overhead line[8]
Current collector(s)Pantograph[8]
Wheels driven64 (16-car)[8]
Minimum turning radius145.83 m (478.4 ft)[8]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic[8]
Safety system(s)
[8]
Coupling systemTightlock (AAR-E/H)[8]
Headlight typeLED[8]
SeatingLongitudinal (Chairs)[8]
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)[8]

The Vande Bharat trainset, formerly known as Train 18, is an Indian Electric multiple unit chair car trainset designed and developed by Indian Railways at its Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The train achieved a maximum speed of 183 km/h (114 mph) during its trial runs but the operational speed of the train is restricted to 160 km/h (99 mph) due to tracks' inability to support such speeds.[11][12]

History

Dawn of EMUs

Inaugural EMU train at Victoria Terminus, Bombay, on the erstwhile GIP, now Central Railway zone

The first electric multiple unit (EMU) technology in India was introduced in Mumbai as a suburban railway service on 3 February 1925.[13] With an increase in demand post-independence, India began to import EMUs from Europe and Japan, before it could manufacture indigenously. In the 1960s, BHEL, an Indian public sector giant started manufacturing electrical equipment for indigenous EMUs, which then started entering service in the 1960s.[14][15] During the same time, Integral Coach Factory of Chennai, a government-owned manufacturer of rail coaches started developing EMUs indigenously. This is regarded as a major leap in the Indian railway industry as they became the earliest precursors to Vande Bharat technology.[14]

Adra - Asansol MEMU, the first MEMU service in India which began operation in 1995

By the 1990s, Indian Railways had a large number of EMU trainsets within the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai as a suburban railway for very short distances. For regular long-distance travel, India relied on locomotives. The inefficiency of these locomotive-hauled trains was soon felt while the developed world already had well-built EMU high-speed technology by the 1990s. EMUs for longer distances were conceived on the long-distance main lines, which led to the development of Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU). With the advantages of faster acceleration-deceleration, presence of driver cabins at both ends, being energy efficient with regenerative braking, encouraged Indian Railways to develop MEMUs for distances beyond the suburban belt.[14] A decade later, India had several MEMUs operating across the country's electrified routes as a short-distance inter-city service. However, India still had to rely on locomotives for medium and long-distance travel.[16]

The need for speed and comfort

For most of Indian Railways' history, speed and comfort were not of primary concern as safety was of utmost importance. While India saw 325 accidents in 2003–04, this number was down to 106 in 2015–16.[17] Indian Railways had already introduced services like Gatimaan and Tejas that offered comfort with their modern coaches. The replacement of old ICF coaches by the modern and safer LHB coaches also helped the cause significantly.[18] As the next step, Indian Railways at ICF headed by general manager Sudhanshu Mani, started designing a new EMU trainset that was set to be developed at half the imported cost. Since these trains were planned to be ready by 2018, they were named 'Train-2018' and later 'Train 18'. They were designed to be fully air-conditioned and equipped with automatic doors, onboard Wi-Fi, and infotainment and many other modern facilities. With these modern facilities along with modern technical features, the train was one of its kind in the country and marked a leap into the future.[19] Train 18 was designed with the LHB coach as a base. With sixteen chair cars and a 160 km/h speed, the technology was set to replace Shatabdi services.[20][21]

First generation set and its issues

First generation Vande Bharat on platform 16 in New Delhi.

The manufacturing of Train 18 was coincidentally completed 18 months after initiation. It was built at a cost of ₹97 crore (equivalent to ₹130 crore or US$16 million in 2023) and had 80% indigenous components.[22] During its trial runs, Train 18 became the fastest EMU train in India after attaining a speed of 180 km/h, 4 km/h shy of India's overall best record of 184 km/h achieved by a WAP-5 Class locomotive back in 1997.[23][24] Train 18 was renamed as 'Vande Bharat Express' as an acknowledgement for the fact that it was completely built in India by Indian engineers.[25][26]

On 15 February 2019, the first Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi was flagged off at the New Delhi railway station by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[27][28] The train ran from New Delhi to Varanasi via Kanpur and Prayagraj, connecting Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi to the capital city and reduced the existing travel time along the route by 15%.[29] The 8-hour journey from New Delhi to Varanasi station covered a total distance of 762 km (473 mi) between the two cities. However, while returning from Varanasi, the train broke down due to a cattle runover. According to reports, four cars of the train experienced an electrical outage and brakes were reported to be jammed as the train was halted for over an hour at Tundla Junction railway station before resumption.[30]

The fleet of Vande Bharat trainsets was set to expand in numbers but Indian Railways had stopped the production of new sets owing to internal issues.[31] After the intervention of the Railway Minister, Railways decided to resume tenders for the production of new sets. However, they wished to provide more time so that the manufacturers could come up with the cheapest bid and because the train would require a major upgrade from scratch, as per one railway official.[32]

Second generation trainsets

Blue-White & Orange-Grey Livery Second generation Vande Bharat at Thiruvanathapuram Central

In January 2021, Indian Railways awarded a ₹2,211 crore (equivalent to ₹25 billion or US$310 million in 2023) contract to Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives to manufacture 44 second generation Vande Bharat trainsets, in accordance with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative that required 75% of the components to be locally sourced.[33][34] In March 2022, Indian Railways awarded contracts to seven companies to manufacture 58 additional trainsets at a total cost of ₹18.5 billion (equivalent to ₹20 billion or US$250 million in 2023). The seven companies were Medha Servo Drives, Alstom, Siemens, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Titagarh Wagons, Saini Electricals and CGL.[35] During manufacturing, the supply of wheels from Ukraine was disrupted due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this delayed production.[36][37] Indian Railways later sought Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) to manufacture the wheels.[38][39] On 9 September 2022, trial runs for the second version of Vande Bharat Express were completed,[40] during which it broke the acceleration record as it accelerated from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 52 seconds, making it two seconds faster than Japanese bullet trains in acceleration.[41][42] It entered service on 30 September 2022.[43]

In early 2023, an allocation had been made for Vande Bharat services with reduced car configuration, for a lower demand, known as Mini Vande Bharat Express. It was projected to cost about ₹65 crore (US$8.1 million) per rake for an 8-car configuration, at a cost of ₹8.125 crore (US$1.0 million) per car. Indian Railways was targetting for manufacturing 1,000 Mini Vande Bharat rakes of 8-car configuration. During the financial year of 2023-24, an allocation of ₹10 lakh (US$13,000) had been made for designing the concept and preliminary research.[44]

In July 2023, Indian Railways announced a new saffron and grey livery for Vande Bharat trains inspired by the Indian tricolour.[45] The Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that 25 improvements have been incorporated into the trains, including anti-climbing devices. These anti-climbing devices will also be added to trains other than Vande Bharat.

Engineering

Cabin View of Vande Bharat Express trains

As part of the "Make in India" initiative, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) created and produced the Vande Bharat Express. There are two generations of the train with design upgrades and addition of new features with subsequent generations.[46][47]

First generation

First generation Vande Bharat Chair Car (CC) seating
First generation Vande Bharat Executive Chair Car (EC) seating

The exterior of the first version of Vande Bharat Express had an aerodynamic design that helped to reduce air resistance at high speeds.[48] It had a driver's cabin at each end, that enables immediate switch in train's direction, unlike a locomotive-hauled train.[49] The 16-car trainset weighs 430 tonnes and has a seating capacity of 1,128 passengers.[50] Two of the centre compartments are first-class compartments that seat 52 each, with the rest being chair car compartments seating 78 each.[51] The chassis of a coach is 23 meters long, and the frame of the train is made entirely of stainless steel.[52] Alternate coaches are motorised to ensure an even distribution of power and quicker acceleration and deceleration. The cars are interconnected and fully sealed to allow better mobility between coaches and reduce noise. The train features a GPS-based passenger information system, bio-vacuum toilets, and rotational seats that can be aligned in the direction of travel in the executive class,[53] and employs a regenerative braking system.[54]

This version reached a maximum speed of 180 km/h (110 mph). It could accelerate to a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) in 54.6 seconds and reach its maximum speed in 145 seconds. Trains were equipped with 24 in (61 cm) television screens that serve as the passenger information and entertainment system. The train's underframe electrical equipment can withstand floods up to 40 cm (16 in).[40][55] Among the imported components were the wheels, seats, doors, braking system, transformers, and electronic parts such as processing chips.[52][56]

Second generation

Second generation Vande Bharat's Chair Car (CC) seating
Second generation Vande Bharat's Executive Chair Car (EC) seating

The second generation trains were built in 2022 and they could accelerate to a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)[57] in a record time of 52 seconds, compared to the 54 seconds taken by the older version. The train could reach a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) in 140 seconds, 5 seconds faster than the first generation of the train. It is lighter, weighing 392 tonnes compared to 430 tonnes for the previous version, and is equipped with larger 32-inch television screens and Wi-Fi on board. The air conditioning system on the VB2 utilises 15% less energy than the system on the first Vande Bharat trainset. VB2 also has automatic plug doors, sliding doors that don't need to be touched, emergency communication units, accessible toilets, a bigger driver's cabin, and seats in all coaches that can be leaned back.[40][55] To address the seat reclining issues of the previous version, the new chairs were equipped with a push-back arrangement for smooth reclining.[58][59]

This version is additionally equipped for safety and protection with Kavach signalling technology.[60] The train offers enhanced amenities, security, and surveillance systems, as well as features suited for emergencies. The seats are made up of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and were made by Tata Steel's Composites division.[61][62][63] The new rolling stock features four emergency windows, disaster lights in all coaches in the event of lighting system failure, fire survival cables within door circuits, ventilation for three hours in the event that the air conditioner loses power, and four additional emergency push buttons per coach.[58][59] The new coaches are also equipped with a centralised Coach Monitoring System for all types of electricity and climate control, among other new additions. An official added that the new coaches would be provided with a bacteria-free air conditioning system and higher flood protection for electrical equipment to ensure reliability during monsoons up to 65 cm (26 in).[58][59]

On 24 September 2023, 9 new Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged off which include upgraded features for passenger comfort after feedback.[64] These include improvements to seats, improvements to toilets and an improved aerosol based fire detection and suppression system.

Modified rakes

Several rakes have been modified to accommodate specific routes. The Mumbai CSMT–Sainagar Shirdi Vande Bharat Express and Mumbai CSMT–Solapur Vande Bharat Express are modified Vande Bharat trains that have additional parking brakes for stopping the train on a slope because they traverse ghat sections. This feature is not available in other Vande Bharat trains.

The Ajmer–Delhi Cantt. Vande Bharat express is a modified Vande Bharat train that has high-rise pantographs as the New Delhi-Jaipur route has a higher catenary for accommodating double-stacked containers and Double Decker Express trains.[65] It is the world's first semi-high-speed passenger train with high-rise pantographs.[66]

Rake formation

The rake formations of all the operational versions of the train are given below:[67]

Abbreviations
  • DTC – Driving Trailer Coach
  • NDTC – Non-Driving Trailer Coach
  • MC – Motor Coach
  • MC2 – Motor Coach with electrical change-over switch
  • MC3 – 180° rotated MC2
  • TC – Trailer Coach having Pantograph
  • EC – Executive Chair Car (2x2 seats)
  • CC – Economy Chair Car (3x2 seats)
Rake formation of 1st generation 16-car Vande Bharat Express
Coach Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Travel Class CC EC CC
Power Configuration DTC MC TC MC2 NDTC MC TC MC2 NDTC MC TC MC2 MC3 TC MC DTC
Basic Power Units Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Seating Capacity 44 78 78 78 78 78 78 52 52 78 78 78 78 78 78 44
Rake formation of the 2nd generation 16-car Vande Bharat Express
Coach Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Travel Class CC EC CC
Power Configuration DTC MC TC MC2 MC TC MC2 NDTC NDTC MC2 TC MC MC2 TC MC DTC
Basic Power Units Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Seating Capacity 44 78 78 78 78 78 78 52 52 78 78 78 78 78 78 44
Rake formation of the 2nd generation 8-car Vande Bharat Express
Coach Sr.No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Travel Class CC EC CC
Power Configuration DTC MC TC MC2 MC2 TC MC DTC
Basic Power Units Unit 1 Unit 2
Seating Capacity 44 78 52 78 78 78 78 44

Future

The following EMU trainsets which are influenced by the Vande Bharat are currently in the preliminary stages of design and will be introduced in the near future.

Sleeper trainsets

Vande Bharat Sleeper representative image by BEML

The sleeper EMU trainsets are being built with sleeper coaches for long-distance travel. They will have three classes: 1A, 2A and 3A. The train is expected to have a maximum speed of 220 km/h (140 mph) and a design life of 35 years.[68][69][70] It is expected to be lighter, energy efficient as well as have better passenger amenities than the Vande Bharat.[71] Half of the trainsets will have coaches made of steel, while the other half will have coaches made of aluminium with articulated bogies.[72]

Indian Railways invited bids to design and manufacture 200 trainsets in April 2022. The agency estimated that it would cost ₹26,000 crore (equivalent to ₹280 billion or US$3.5 billion in 2023).[70] The estimate includes the cost of upgrading infrastructure at either the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur or ICF where the train is planned to be manufactured.[73] A further ₹32,000 crore (equivalent to ₹340 billion or US$4.2 billion in 2023) will be paid to the winning bidders over a 35-year period for maintenance. The bidders would be required to build the first prototype of this trainset within 24 months of being awarded the contract.[74]

Tilting technology

The Tilting technology which aids the train in maintaining its speed on the curved sections is likely to be implemented in the future EMU trainsets which are planned to have a maximum speed of more than 200 km/h (120 mph).[75] This will mark the first commerical deployment of such technology in India.[76][77] The coaches are proposed to be made of a lightweight aluminium alloy and are expected to feature improved passenger amenities such as a 3-pin socket and USB power socket for every passenger, zero discharge toilet systems, and facilities to accommodate passengers travelling in wheelchairs. The trains will also have a cattle guard that can absorb collisions with animals up to 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) in weight and keep animals from being dragged under the train in the event of a collision.[78]

Other variants

The ICF is developing variants for suburban and short distance services. The suburban variant is a 15-coach train with a carrying capacity of 6,000 people. The short distance variant that will replace existing MEMU services, will have eight coaches with a carrying capacity of 2,400 people.[79] As directed by the Indian Railway Board, the ICF will launch a model for Jammu and Kashmir in 2024.[80]

Export

After the train's inauguration, Indian Railways reportedly received queries of interest from some countries in Southeast Asia and South America.[81] A board member of the Indian Railways stated that the train could be modified according to customer needs.[82][83] A railways official stated in November 2022 that the Ministry of Railways were preparing a roadmap to begin exports of Vande Bharat trainsets by 2026. Exports would only begin after 475 trainsets are built for domestic use.[84]

Test track

Indian Railways is constructing a 59 km (37 mi) long dedicated standard gauge track between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in the Jodhpur Division to conduct trial runs at speeds of up to 220 km/h (140 mph). The track is expected to be completed by January 2024.[85]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "State receives spare Vande Bharat rake". The Times of India. 18 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "A third Vande Bharat rake arrives in Kerala".
  3. ↑ "Upgraded Vande Bharat 2.0 starts plying between Delhi and Varanasi". Hindustan Times. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "First Semi-high-speed Train in India: All You Need to Know". The Times of India. 11 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Stainless steel – The optimum material choice for Vande Bharat Trainsets". The Financial Express. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Sushil (18 October 2022). "10 Amazing Facts You Don't Know About India's Vande Bharat Train". India State Book. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
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  11. ↑ "Bhopal Delhi Vande Bharat Express: TOP SPEED of 160 kmph! Is food free in Delhi to Bhopal semi high-speed train? Know time, route, ticket price". TimesNow. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Jaipur-Delhi Vande Bharat to take 1.45 hours at 150 kmph, schedule, launch month revealed". DNA India. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  13. ↑ "Age is just a number, she can keep Mumbai's life on track even at 90". The Indian Express. 9 February 2015.
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  37. ↑ "First shipment of Vande Bharat Train wheels from war-torn Ukraine to reach Chennai on May 12". Moneycontrol. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  38. ↑ "SAIL, RINL to make wheels for Vande Bharat Express trains, more to come from Malaysia, US, China". cnbctv18.com. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  39. ↑ "In a first, railways floats tender for a new plant to make 80,000 train wheels". Hindustan Times. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
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  42. ↑ "Vande Bharat takes around 5 hours in Ahmedabad-Mumbai trial run, breaks bullet train record". The Economic Times. 15 September 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
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  61. ↑ "Vande Bharat Express to get aircraft-style passenger amenities - All details". August 2022.
  62. ↑ "Indian Railways: Vande Bharat trains to get 'First-in-India': Tata Steel-made 180 degrees rotating seats". Lokmat Times. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  63. ↑ Gaur, Madhavi (9 August 2022). "TATA Steel to spend 3000 cr on seating for new Vande Bharat trains".
  64. ↑ "Nine Vande Bharat trains unveiled: What are the new upgraded features". The Times of India. 24 September 2023.
  65. ↑ Jain, Smriti (1 March 2023). "Why Vande Bharat Express train is being modified for Delhi-Jaipur route". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  66. ↑ "PM Narendra Modi flags off Delhi-Ajmer Vande Bharat Express". The Times of India. New Delhi. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  67. ↑ "VBE Maintenance Manual Volume II" (PDF). Indian Railways.
  68. ↑ "Upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper to Get 220 KMPH Top Speed, Indian Railways Working on New Trains".
  69. ↑ "Sleeper version of Vande Bharat train will be designed to travel at 220 km per hour: Officials - ET Infra".
  70. 1 2 Dipak K. Dash (27 April 2022). "Railways invites bids for 200 Vande Bharat trains with sleeper coaches for long-distance travel". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  71. ↑ "Railways plans speedy roll-out of improved Vande Bharat fleet". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  72. ↑ Dipak K. Dash (21 July 2022). "Railways floats tender to procure 100 Vande Bharat trains with a maximum design speed of 200 km/h". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  73. ↑ "Indian Railways extends deadline for bids for 200 third-generation Vande Bharat train sets to October". Moneycontrol. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  74. ↑ Livemint (1 December 2022). "BHEL bids for ₹58,000 cr deal to manufacture, maintain 200 Vande Bharat trains". mint. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  75. ↑ Surabhi (17 July 2022). "Railways floats fresh tender for 200 next generation Vande Bharat trains". Business Line. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  76. ↑ "India to get 100 Vande Bharat trains with technology to tilt on turns by 2025". mint. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  77. ↑ "India to soon get tilting trains!". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  78. ↑ "Aluminium-Bodied, Speed of 200 Km/Hour: Govt Invites Tenders for 4th-Gen 200 Vande Bharat Trains". News18. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  79. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (26 May 2023). "ICF Chennai to manufacture prototype of Vande Bharat sleeper coach by end of this financial year". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 December 2023. The ICF is also designing a 15-coach Vande Bharat suburban train. The ICF is designing a prototype for the Vande Bharat Metro.
  80. ↑ Sivapriyan, E. "Integral Coach Factory to turn new Vande Bharat variants this fiscal". Deccan Herald. To ensure that the Vande Bharat series is accessible and affordable to every section of the society, the ICF, as per directions from the Railway Board, will launch four new versions by next year, including an exclusive model for Jammu and Kashmir.
  81. ↑ "Train 18 for exports after domestic demand is met: Railway official". Mint. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  82. ↑ Jain, Smriti (18 January 2019). "Train 18 sets to be exported! Indian Railways looks to enter $200 billion world market for trains". The Financial Express. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  83. ↑ PTI (18 January 2019). "Many Countries Interested in Importing India's Train 18 Set: Railway Officials". NDTV. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  84. ↑ Bhargava, Yuthika (26 November 2022). "Railways plans to export Vande Bharat trains by 2025–26". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  85. ↑ "Indian Railways' New High-Speed Test Track Near Phulera To Be Ready By 2023 End". railpost.in. 13 March 2022.

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