Efforts to increase speed (1960–2016) edit

In 1960, the Railway Board of India commissioned a study to increase the speed of its trains, which was restricted to 96 km/h (60 mph) on the existent broad gauge lines.^[3] A target of 160 km/h (99 mph) with an intermediate stage of 120 km/h (75 mph) was set for passenger trains. Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) started work on the same and using the coaches were manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Madras and hauled by diesel locomotives, Rajdhani Express capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) were introduced in 1969.^[4][5] With the introduction of WAP-1 electric locomotives, Shatabdi Express introduced in 1988, were capable of running at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).^{[6] [7][8]}

From the late 1990s, the ICF coaches were replaced by safer and newer LHB coaches designed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany.^[9][10] In December 2009, the Ministry of Railways of Government of India envisaged the implementation of high-speed rail projects to provide services at 250–350 km/h (160–220 mph) with the up-gradation of existing tracks, construction of new lines and introduction of high speed trainsets.^[11][12] In 2014, proposals were made to introduce semi-high-speed 160–200 km/h (99–124 mph) services between major cities.^[13] In 2016, Gatimaan Express was inaugurated which achieved speeds of 160 km/h (99 mph) between Delhi and Agra.^[14]

In June 2016, Indian Railways sought Requests For Qualification (RFQ) to jointly manufacture five thousand Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) sets with interested international and domestic parties.^[15] In 2015, Talgo conducted trial runs on the Mumbai–Delhi line, completing the journey in ten hours, almost six hours quicker than the existing fastest train with an average speed of 117.5 km/h (73.0 mph). There were significant issues such as the adaptation of rakes, maintenance, higher costs and robustness.^[16] Indian Railways could not reach a direct agreement and the deal never materialised.^[17]

Making an indigenous trainset (2016–19) edit

After foreign proposals for introducing semi-high-speed trains were unsuccessful, the Make in India campaign fuelled the cause for developing the next generation EMU semi-high-speed trainsets locally. ICF worked on an indigenous design, which was constructed at the Integral Coach Factory.^[18] These trainsets known as Train 18 initially, were introduced in 2018 and reached speeds of up to 183 km/h (114 mph) in trials.^[19] It trainset was later renamed to Vande Bharat.^[20]

Introduction and further (2019–present) edit

On 15 February 2019, the first Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi was flagged off at the New Delhi railway station by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.^[21][22] The train covered a distance of 759 km (472 mi) in 8 hours at an average speed of 95 km/h (59 mph) and reduced the existing travel time along the route by 15%.^[23] In October 2019, the second service was launched between New Delhi and Katra.^[24]

After the inauguration of the first two services, Indian Railways stopped production of new trainsets owing to internal issues.^[25] In 2019, Indian Railways resumed tenders for the production of new sets with more time provided to come up with the cheapest bid for the upgrades required.^[26] The second generation trainsets entered service on 30 September 2022.^[27] Since Vande Bharat trains provide fast service across short-distances, similar to the Shatabdi Express, the trains will eventually replace the existing Shatabdis.^[28] As of 2023, ICF is developing long-distance version of the trainset with sleeper cars.^[28]

The country has set a target of having 4,500 Vande Bharat trains by 2047.^[29]

Vande Bharat Express uses self-propelled EMU trainsets manufactured by Integral Coach Factory in Chennai.^[30] The trainsets have sixteen or eight chair cars.^[31] A standard sixteen car rake consists of two Driving Trailer Coaches, one each on every end along with two non-driver trailer coaches, four trailer coaches with pantographs and eight motor coaches.^[32] A second generation sixteen car trainset weighs 392 tonnes and costs ₹115 crore (US$14 million).^[33][34] The chassis of a coach is 23 m (75 ft) long, and is made of stainless steel.^[35]

During its trial runs, the trainsets had clocked speeds of up to 183 km/h (114 mph) with an acceleration of 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 52 seconds.^[36][19] The operational speed is limited due to track restrictions, halts and traffic congestion. The maximum operational speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) is achieved by the Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj)–Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express and Hazrat Nizamuddin-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express on the 174 km (108 mi) Tughlakabad–Agra section.^[37]

The train has two classes of accommodation with the AC Executive Class being the premium class and the AC chair being the other. The executive class coach can seat 52 passengers and is equipped with rotating seats in a 2x2 configuration.^[38] The chair car coaches can seat 78 passengers per coach (44 in first and last coaches) and are equipped with retractable seats in 2x3 configuration.^[39] The coaches are fully air conditioned and equipped with electric outlets, reading lights, CCTV cameras, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, Sensor-based water taps and Passenger information system.^[40] The coaches have wider windows with roller blinds and overhead racks for luggage.^[41] The service offers onboard catering with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options included in the fare as standard.^[42]

As of 12 March 2024^[update], 51 Vande Bharat trains are in service, which includes seventeen 16-car services and thirty-four 8-car services.

• List of megaprojects in India
• Vande Bharat (sleeper trainset)
• Vande Metro
• High-speed rail in India
• Amrit Bharat Express
• RapidX

  Media related to Vande Bharat Express trains at Wikimedia Commons