New AC ‘local’ for Mumbai patterned on ‘Train 18’

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February 25

The second air-conditioned “local” to ply on Mumbai’s railway tracks is built on the “Train 18” model with some modifications for the city’s rush-hour load, according to officials here.

The train, which will be deployed on the suburban section of the Western Railways, will have a number of innovations, including a solar panel on the roof of one of its compartments.

“The solar panel will generate enough power for the lights and fans in the bogie,” a Western Railway official said. Depending on its success, solar panels might be installed on the roof of other compartments, he added.

The rake, which is manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, will undergo trials before being inducted into WR’s suburban fleet in the next few months, officials said.

By incorporating several features of “Train 18”, the new “local” train will be able to accommodate more commuters, according to railway officials. The electrical equipment in the new train will be mounted on the undercarriage of the bogies. At present, these are housed in segments of different train compartments which are, therefore, rendered unusable for passengers.

Coaches in the new air-conditioned train will be vestibular. In other words, passengers would be able to move from one coach to another within the train. The new train would carry 1,116 passengers as against the capacity of 1,028 in the existing air-conditioned train, officials said.

WR officials say the introduction of the new train would allow them to ply regular services, thus attracting more passengers for the facility.