NEW DELHI: Train 18, the country’s first engine-less train, will start its trial run today on the Bareilly-Moradabad section.
Developed by the Integral Coach Factory, the train is being seen as a successor to the Shatabdi Express. It was unveiled last month by Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani. Railway sources told PTI a team of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation has reached Moradabad for the trial run.
The fully air-conditioned train, driven by a self-propulsion module, can run at a speed of up to 160 kmph and comes with technical features for enhanced quick acceleration.
Sources said the Rs 100-crore train is the first long-distance train without a separate locomotive or engine.
Talking about false reports that the train has developed glitches and there are some minor issues, senior railway officials said: "Some fuses went off while conducting the low-speed run in Chennai. They were fixed immediately. There was nothing to worry about.”
The 16-coach train was built in 18 months. It left for Delhi on November 11 and reached the national capital two days later. "After the test-run, Train 18 was hauled by a locomotive to take it to Delhi as it should not run on its own until the Commission of Railway Safety certifies it," the official added.
"Within 2018-19 production year another unit of the train would be manufactured and four more units would be manufactured by end of 2019-20 production year," Railway Board chairman Lohani said.
(With agency inputs)