ICF all set to roll out high-speed ‘Train 18’ in June

“Production of the under-arm of the train started on Friday, February 9,” a highly-placed ICF officer revealed to DT Next. One of the premier coach production units of the Indian Railways, the coach factory in Perambur had planned to roll out the chair-car train set, which is capable of clocking 160 kmph, in June 2018. 

“The under-arm of the train is the first production process. Other works would go on simultaneously. We are confident of rolling out the fully air-conditioned train set by June,” the officer explained. The engine-less chair-car train set, which is capable of running as Shatabdi-like train, would be self-propelled with traction motors fitted underneath each coach powering them. 

The train set, which has power distributed across the length of the rake, would accelerate and decelerate faster than loco-hauled conventional trains. The fully-stainless steel body train set would have automatic plug type doors, GPS-based passenger information system and diffused LED lighting. Wi-fi hubs capable of streaming entertainment to passenger’s smartphones and laptops would be another attraction of “Train 18”, which the ICF touts to be its answer to overseas train manufacturing giants. The first train set would have 16 coaches, both second-class and premium firstclass coaches. 

Another value addition of “T-18” would be the presence of driver cabins at both ends, which more than enables drivers to operate in both directions, eliminates the need for engine reversal, as is done for conventional trains.