Here is a video format of this article on YouTube where we are going to learn everything about the Vande Bharat Express train in 15 points.
- Vande Bharat trains are semi-high speed trains manufactured in India by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
- The design of the Vande Bharat Express coach is based on the Train 18 design. The Train 18 design was inspired by the designs of high-speed trains in Japan and Europe. The design features a lightweight body and aerodynamic features that help to reduce drag.
- The trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph, but they are currently being operated at a speed of 130 kmph.
- The trains are fully powered by electric locomotives. The engine power of Vande Bharat Express trains is 6000 horsepower (4,500 kW). The train is powered by two electric locomotives, each of which produces 3000 horsepower (2,200 kW). The locomotives are connected to the coaches by a distributed power system, which means that each coach has its own power supply. This allows the train to operate at a higher speed and with a greater load than traditional trains.
- The trains have a number of features that make them more comfortable and efficient than other trains in India, including:
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- LED lighting
- USB charging ports
- CCTV cameras
- Bio-toilets
- The trains have been well-received by passengers, and they have been praised for their comfort and efficiency.
- The trains are named after the patriotic slogan “Vande Bharat”.
- The first Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019.
- The trains have a total of 16 coaches, including a power car, a pantry car, and 14 passenger cars.
- The trains can accommodate up to 1,128 passengers with 56 seats in the executive class and 1,072 seats in the non-executive class.
- The Vande Bharat train does not have sleeper coaches. The train is designed to be a semi-high-speed train, and sleeper coaches are not typically used on high-speed trains. Sleeper coaches are designed to provide passengers with a comfortable night’s sleep, and they are not as aerodynamic as other types of coaches. This means that sleeper coaches would add drag to the train, which would reduce its speed.
- The Vande Bharat train travels on the standard 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge tracks used by Indian Railways. It is not compatible with narrow gauge tracks. The broad gauge is the most common gauge used in India, and it is also the standard gauge used in many other countries around the world. This means that the Vande Bharat train can be used on a wide network of tracks, which makes it a more versatile train than a narrow gauge train.
- The cost of making the Vande Bharat Express train is estimated to be around ₹100 – ₹120 crore (US$13 million). This includes the cost of manufacturing the train, as well as the cost of testing and commissioning the train.
- The initial Vande Bharat Express train was painted white and blue. On July 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the train will be available in saffron color as well.
- The government plans to introduce more Vande Bharat trains in the coming years, and they are expected to play a major role in improving the Indian Railways as well the Indian economy. One good thing about these trains is that it is almost always full, which is a good sign for the revenue generation potential. However, the revenue that these trains will bring to the Indian Railways is difficult to estimate at this stage. There are different revenue figures available on the internet. But then these trains have been very popular since its launch, and it is expected to generate significant revenue in the coming years.
So these 15 points summarizes almost everything that you need to know about India’s fastest train – Vande Bharat.