‘Train 18 launch a historic event’

CHENNAI: Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani said Train 18, a semi-high-speed engine-less train launched by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) will make a paradigm change in the way passengers travel in the country.

At a function held at the ICF on Monday, 16 coaches of Train 18 were dedicated to the Indian Railways in the presence of Lohani. He hailed the manufacture of the train as a historic event. “The new kind of train has been developed on the lines of what is there in the developed world,” he said.

Stating that the train manufactured in a record time of 18 months by the ICF, the Railway Board chairman hailed the efforts of the ICF and its employees. “The coach was designed and manufactured indigenously in the ICF. The train, after completing the due mandatory procedures, may likely hit the tracks by January next year. It will replace the Shatabdi Express,” he added.

Lohani said though presently Gatimaan Express (running between Delhi and Jhansi) already operated at 160 kmph speed, the Train 18 will have faster acceleration and deceleration, besides eliminating the loco change at terminals and thereby will reduce the travel time. To a query on the ticket fare of the Train 18, Lohani said the fare structure was yet to be fixed. The ticket fare is likely to cost 15 to 20 per cent higher than the regular Shatabdi fares.

ICF general manager Sudhanshu Mani said the train, which has 16 coaches, will replace the 18 coaches of Shatabdi since it eliminates chair cars and locomotives.

Earlier, the Railway Board chairman honoured the ICF employees and top officials with cash reward and merit certificates in recognition of their dedication and sincerity. Southern Railway general manager R K Kulshreshta and other top officials took part in the event.