Vande Bharat sleeper to hit tracks for trials by August 15; Vande Metro ready - top features of new Indian Railways trains

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 15, 2024, 07.35 PM IST

Vande Bharat sleeper, Vande Metro update: Indian Railways is all set to roll out two new trains for passengers in the coming days. Vande Bharat sleeper, a train expected to be much better than Rajdhani Express trains, is expected to be out for trial runs by August 15, railway officials told TOI. In the meantime, Vande Metro, another new train by Indian Railways, this time for short-distance intercity travel is ready and its trial runs will start soon, officials said.
Indian Railways is currently developing a sleeper version of the Vande Bharat train, following the successful introduction of the chair car variant. The sleeper train is expected to offer superior features compared to the current premium overnight travel options, such as the Rajdhani Express and Tejas Express. BEML is manufacturing the first prototype,.

On the other hand, Vande Metro, also known as the Vande Bharat Metro, is inspired by the semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express and aims to transform train travel for shorter distances.

We take a look at the special features of Vande Bharat sleeper and Vande Metro trains:

Vande Bharat Sleeper: Top Features

Vande Bharat sleeper prototype will have 16 coaches, including 11 AC 3 tier coaches, 4 AC 2 tier coaches, and one AC 1st coach.
The total berth capacity of the train will be 823 passengers, with 611 in AC 3 tier, 188 in AC 2 tier, and 24 in AC 1st.
The berths will have extra cushioning, better than Rajdhani Express trains. The side of each berth will be well-cushioned to ensure a comfortable travel experience.
The interior of the new Vande Bharat sleeper will feature a soothing color scheme, with shades of cream, yellow, and wood creating a pleasant ambiance.
Passengers will find it easier to access the upper and middle berths, thanks to a better-designed ladder.
Sensor-based lighting will be installed in common areas, while energy-efficient overhead lighting will provide adequate illumination.
The aisle areas will have strips on the floor to facilitate easier movement during the night.
Vande Bharat sleeper will have sensor-based inter communication doors, noise insulation and mitigation measures for silent saloon space, special berths and toilets for differently abled, automatic entry/exit passenger doors
To ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will use semi-permanent couplers, similar to those used in the existing Vande Bharat chair car trains. This technology will minimize jerks and provide a more pleasant travel experience for passengers.
The Vande Bharat sleeper train will feature fully sealed gangways, allowing for easy movement between coaches. Passengers can expect a well-regulated air-conditioning system that maintains a comfortable temperature and a dust-free environment, much like the Vande Bharat chair car trains.
The exterior design of the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be inspired by the "prowess of eagles", incorporating sleek lines and a "fierce aura".
As a semi-high-speed offering, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 kmph, with the prototype being tested at even higher speeds of up to 180 kmph.

Vande Bharat sleeper exclusive: First look of Indian Railways new train's exterior, AC 3 tier, AC-2 and First AC coaches; top images you shouldn’t miss

Vande Bharat sleeper exclusive: What will Indian Railways new train look like?

Vande Bharat Express sleeper First AC coach

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Vande Bharat sleeper exclusive: What will Indian Railways new train look like?

Vande Bharat sleeper trains exclusive photos: After the introduction of Vande Bharat chair car train sets, Indian Railways is now working on a sleeper variant of the train. The Vande Bharat sleeper train will have features superior to Rajdhani Express and Tejas Express trains which are at present the premium standard for overnight travel on the Indian Railways network. The first prototype of the Vande Bharat Express sleeper train is being manufactured by BEML and is expected to be rolled out for trials in the coming months. So what will the Vande Bharat sleeper train look like? What passenger friendly amenities and features will it offer? We take an exclusive look:

Vande Bharat sleeper exterior

Vande Bharat sleeper exterior: TOI has exclusively learnt that the front fascia of the Vande Bharat sleeper train will draw inspiration from the “prowess of eagles” in terms of design, the sleek lines and the “fierce aura”. (Concept image)

Vande Bharat sleeper composition

Vande Bharat sleeper train prototype will be a 16 coach train set with 11 AC 3 tier coaches, 4 AC 2 tier coaches and one AC 1st coach. The train will have a total berth capacity of 823 passengers; 611 in AC 3 tier, 188 in AC 2 tier and 24 in AC 1st. (Concept image)

Vande Bharat sleeper AC 3 tier coach

Vande Bharat sleeper AC 3 tier coach: Keeping in mind the comfort of passengers, Indian Railways is looking to provide extra cushioning on the side of each berth. The cushioning on the berths will be better than Rajdhani Express trains. (Concept image)

Vande Bharat sleeper interior

Vande Bharat sleeper interior: The inside of the new train will be in hues of cream, yellow and wood to give a pleasant ambient feel. The train will have a better designed ladder for passengers to easily access the upper and middle berths. (Concept image of AC 3 tier coach)

Vande Bharat sleeper AC 2 tier coach

Vande Bharat sleeper features: The new train will have sensor-based lighting in common areas, energy efficient overhead lighting and better night lighting provision with the use of strips on the floor for easier movement in the aisle areas. (Concept image of AC 2 tier coach)

Vande Bharat Express sleeper First AC coach

Vande Bharat Express sleeper features: The train will have sensor-based inter communication doors, noise insulation and mitigation measures for silent saloon space, special berths and toilets for differently abled, automatic exterior passenger doors among other features. (Concept image of First AC coach)

Vande Bharat sleeper toilet:

Vande Bharat sleeper toilet: The train will have an ergonomically designed odour free toilet system. The aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilet will boast of modular fittings. The wash basins are being designed with anti-spillage features. There will be a facility of a shower with hot water in 1st AC car. (Concept image)

Modern passenger amenities

Vande Bharat sleeper: Boasting of modern passenger amenities, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will have best-in-class interiors with GFRP panels, public announcement and visual information system among other features. (Concept image of AC 1st coach)

Vande Bharat sleeper ride comfort

Vande Bharat sleeper train: The new train will make use of semi permanent couplers similar to the existing Vande Bharat chair car trains to offer better ride comfort with jerk-free rides. (Concept image)

Vande Bharat sleeper gangways

Vande Bharat sleeper: The new train will have fully sealed gangways for smooth movement between coaches, better air-conditioning and dust-free environment, similar to the Vande Bharat chair car trains. (Concept image)

Vande Bharat sleeper speed

Vande Bharat sleeper speed and routes: The new Indian Railways train will be a semi-high speed offering, capable of travelling at speeds of up to 160 kmph. The prototype will be tested at speeds of up to 180 kmph. The new Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected to significantly cut travel time on popular overnight routes of the national transporter. (Concept image of exterior)

Vande Metro: Top Features

Vande Metro is a self-propelled train set, similar to the Vande Bharat Express, which means it does not require a locomotive to pull it. The main goal behind the development of the Vande Metro is to replace Mainline EMU trains and provide passengers with quicker and more comfortable travel option.
Vande Metro trains will utilize rapid acceleration and deceleration technology to reach a top operational speed of 130 kmph, which is much higher than the speed of current Mainline EMUs.
The Vande Metro trains will be fitted with contemporary designed lightweight cushioned seats, accommodating 100 seated passengers per coach, with additional standing room for 200 individuals. The lightweight car body will contribute to the train's overall efficiency and performance.
To begin with Vande Metro trains will have fully air-conditioned coaches. The Vande Metro trains will be equipped with modern amenities to ensure a comfortable and efficient journey for passengers seeking a premium short-distance travel experience.
The trains will also feature fully sealed gangways, allowing for easier movement between coaches and a dust-free environment, similar to the Vande Bharat Express.
Vande Metro will have lightweight aluminium luggage racks and Passenger Information Systems with LCD displays. Passengers will enjoy automatic entry and exit doors, mobile charging sockets, diffused lighting, route indicator displays, and wider panoramic sealed windows with roller blinds.
From a safety aspect, Vande Metro trains will come equipped with the KAVACH train anti-collision system, CCTV cameras, emergency talk-back units and automatic fire detection and alarm systems. The trains will also have modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems.
The number of coaches in each Vande Metro train will be either 12 or 16, depending on the demand of the specific route. According to a TOI report, railway officials have indicated that Vande Metro trains are expected to operate on various routes, including Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Lucknow-Kanpur, Tirupati-Chennai, and Bhubaneswar-Balasore.
In February 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw first announced the Vande Metro. Currently, two prototypes are being built at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These prototypes will now undergo extensive testing.

Vande Metro: Indian Railways Set To Roll Out New Train Soon! Check Top Images, Features, Expected Routes

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Vande Metro: Indian Railways Set To Roll Out New Train Soon!

Vande Metro: After introducing the semi-high speed 160 kmph Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways is all set to roll out its new train - the Vande Metro - for short-distance intercity travel. Inspired from the Vande Bharat Express, Vande Metro or Vande Bharat Metro as it is popularly known, aims to revolutionize train travel over smaller distances for the common man. When will the first Vande Metro train be launched? What are its special features? We bring you some top facts and images:

Vande Metro Launch Date

Vande Metro was first announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in February 2023. Two prototypes of Vande Metro are currently being manufactured at RCF Kapurthala and ICF Chennai. These are expected to be completed in the coming months and will be tested extensively.

Vande Metro vs Vande Bharat

Vande Metro vs Vande Bharat: Like the Vande Bharat Express train, the Vande Metro is a self-propelled train set that does not require a locomotive to haul it. The primary objective behind the development of the Vande Metro is to replace Mainline EMU trains, aiming to provide passengers with faster and more comfortable travel options.

Vande Metro Speed

Vande Metro trains will make use of rapid acceleration and deceleration technology to achieve a top operational speed of 130 kmph, significantly surpassing the speed of the current Mainline EMUs.

Vande Metro AC Train

Vande Metro features: Passengers will enjoy a comfortable journey in the fully air-conditioned coaches of the Vande Metro. The trains will feature fully sealed gangways for easier movement between coaches and a dust-free environment, similar to the Vande Bharat Express.

Vande Metro Features

Vande Metro trains will feature a lightweight aluminium luggage rack, along with Passenger Information Systems equipped with LCD displays, ensuring a comfortable and smooth journey for passengers seeking a premium short-distance travel experience.

Vande Metro State-of-the-art Amenities

Vande Metro trains will offer automatic entry and exit doors for passengers, mobile charging sockets, KAVACH train anti collision system, Diffused lighting, route indicator displays, wider panoramic sealed windows with roller blinds, and several other convenient features.

Vande Metro Interior

Vande Metro: Contemporary designed lightweight cushioned seats will be installed in the Vande Metro, which will also have a lightweight car body. Each coach will accommodate 100 seated passengers and provide standing room for an additional 200 individuals.

Vande Metro Safety Features

Vande Metro coaches will have CCTV cameras, emergency talk-back units, modular toilets with vacuum evacuation system, automatic fire detection and alarm systems. These measures will provide a secure and reliable travel experience for commuters.

Vande Metro Expected Routes

Vande Metro Routes: According to a TOI report, railway officials have said that Vande Metro trains are likely to operate on routes such as Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, Lucknow-Kanpur, Tirupati-Chennai, and Bhubaneswar-Balasore. The number of coaches in the new Vande Metro train will be either 12 or 16, depending on the route's demand.