Indian Railways News => Topic started by sushil on Apr 23, 2012 - 03:00:10 AM


Title - First look: Airconditioned double-decker train
Posted by : sushil on Apr 23, 2012 - 03:00:10 AM

The new Ahmedabad-Mumbai double-decker train chugged into Kalupur station from Kapurthala factory this week for a trial run


The double-decker chair-car train will consist of nine coaches, including seven AC double-decker chair-cars, with 128 seats in each coach. The carrying capacity of the train is thus 65-70 per cent more than a normal train
The wait for Ahmedabad-Mumbai-Ahmedabad fully air-conditioned double-decker train is finally over. The one-of-its kind train arrived in Ahmedabad from Kapurthala coach factory on Friday for a trial run.



The concept has been developed by Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala In its 2011 budget, railway ministry had promised that the double-decker train service would begin by December-end. However, it could not happen due to unavailability of AC double decker coaches and other technical glitches reported by Mumbai railway division.

Rakesh Behal, Divisional Railway Manager, Ahmedabad, said, “We received the fully air-conditioned double-decker train on Friday. Soon, we shall conduct a trial run of the train under the supervision of experts to check for safety and technical aspects before it is pressed into service.”

Features of the train

The double-decker chair-car train will consist of nine coaches, including seven AC double-decker chair-cars, with 128 seats in each coach.

With 65-70 per cent increase in the carrying capacity, the overall height of double-decker coaches has been increased marginally (four-and-a-half inches) keeping in view the constraints such as overhead structures, bridges, electric traction equipment and platforms.

Created by Research Development and Standard Organisation and developed by Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, the train will use end-on-generation configuration where power for train lighting and air-conditioning is supplied by two power cars.

The new AC design has features such as stainless steel body, high-speed Eurofima design bogies with air springs and many other safety-related measures. The coaches are fitted with control discharge toilet system.