CHENNAI: India's 'fastest' train, seen as a successor to the 30-year-old Shatabdi Express, will make its debut on the tracks today with trail runs. The much-awaited Train 18 will roll out of Chennai's Integral Coach Factory.
The train has state-of-the-art features including seats that can rotate 360 degrees and can be aligned in the direction of travel. The train does not have an engine and will cut travel time by 15 per cent as compared to the Shatabdi.
The fully-air conditioned Train 18 comes with on-board infotainment system with Wi-Fi, vacuum toilets, sliding doors and continuous windows for a contemporary modern look are some other features of the trainset.
Train 18 has diffused lighting, automatic doors and sliding footsteps besides GPS-based Passenger Information System and charging points at every seat.
The self-propelled train, fitted with CCTV cameras, would have two executive compartments in the middle with 52 seats each, whereas trailer coaches would have 78 seats each.
Built at a cost of Rs. 100 crore, the first trainset will have a few imported components such as French-made seats, brakes and couplers from Germany, along with a Czech-made door system, all of which are to be indigenised for the next rake.
Like in a metro, the doors of Train 18 would open only after the train stops to ensure safety of passengers. The train would start only after all doors are shut.
After test runs in Chennai, Train 18 will run at 160 kmph as against 130 kmph of the Shatabdi. The train will reach Delhi on November 7 and then move to the Moradabad-Bareli section for a second round of test run. The final trails will be held between Kota and Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.