New Delhi: Indian Railways is ready to change overnight travel in India. The new Vande Bharat Sleeper train is almost here. The first prototype is ready. It promises to give passengers a world-class experience. This new train is designed to be faster, safer, and much more comfortable than any other train in India.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is a new version of the popular Vande Bharat Express. The current Vande Bharat trains are for daytime travel. They only have seats (chair cars). But India is a very large country. Many people travel for long distances at night. For this, they need sleeping berths.
This new train is made for those long, overnight journeys. It will have AC 1, AC 2, and AC 3-tier coaches, just like a Rajdhani train. However, it is built with new technology. Indian Railways plans to replace many old trains with this new model. It will be the new premium train for long-distance travel.
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train is expected to launch very soon. The first prototype train has been built by BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited) in Bengaluru. It is now being tested. Let’s look at all the specifications and details of this amazing new train.
Speed and Technology: Why It’s Faster
The biggest feature of the Vande Bharat Sleeper is its speed. It is a semi-high-speed train.
- Operational Speed: The train will run at a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour (km/h). This is much faster than the 130 km/h speed of most Rajdhani trains.
- Trial Speed: During testing, the train is designed to reach 180 km/h.
- Faster Journeys: Because it is faster, it will cut down travel time. A journey that takes 12 hours today might take only 10 or 11 hours.
But how does it go so fast? The answer is its technology.
The Vande Bharat is an EMU (Electric Multiple Unit). In simple English, this means it does not have a separate engine at the front. Old trains, like the Rajdhani, are pulled by one heavy engine. This is called locomotive-haul.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is different. The power systems are spread out under many coaches. This is called a “distributed power” system. This new design gives it two big advantages.
- Faster Acceleration: The train can pick up speed very quickly. It does not need a long time to get to 160 km/h.
- Faster Deceleration: The brakes are also very powerful. It can slow down and stop in a shorter distance.
This “quick start” and “quick stop” ability saves a lot of time on a long journey.
Another simple feature is the driver’s cabin. The train has a driver’s cabin at both ends. When the train reaches its final station, it does not need to turn around. The driver just walks to the other end, and the train is ready to go back. This saves a lot of time.
Safety First: A Top Priority
Indian Railways has made safety a very important part of the Vande Bharat Sleeper. It has several new safety systems.
- Kavach System: This is the most important safety feature. Kavach is an automatic train protection system. It is made in India. If two trains are on the same track and moving towards each other, Kavach will automatically apply the brakes. It helps prevent collisions, even in bad weather like fog.
- Crashworthy Design: The train is built to be safer during an accident. The coaches have special “crash buffers” and “deformation tubes.” These parts are designed to absorb the shock of an impact. This helps protect the passengers inside the coaches.
- Fire Safety: The train is made with special fire-resistant materials. It has advanced smoke detectors and fire alarms in all coaches. This gives passengers more time to escape in case of a fire.
- CCTV Cameras: There are CCTV cameras in the common areas of all coaches. This helps improve passenger security.
- Emergency Systems: There are emergency talk-back units. Passengers can use these to talk to the train guard or driver during an emergency.
Inside the Train: A New Level of Comfort
The inside of the Vande Bharat Sleeper looks very different from old trains. It looks modern and stylish. The design is focused on passenger comfort.
- Jerk-Free Ride: The train has special “couplers” that connect the coaches. This technology reduces jerks. When the train starts or stops, passengers will not feel a big push or pull. The ride will be very smooth.
- Quiet Cabins: The train has better soundproofing. This means the noise from the track and the wind will be very low. Passengers will be able to sleep peacefully.
- Ambient Lighting: The lighting inside the train is soft and modern. It is not harsh. In the corridors and common areas, the lights are sensor-based. They will turn on when someone walks by.
- Automatic Doors: All doors on the train are automatic. The main doors to get on the train will only open when the train stops at a station. The doors between coaches are also automatic and easy to move through.
- Sealed Gangways: The pathway between two coaches is fully sealed. In old trains, this area is open and noisy. In the Vande Bharat Sleeper, it is closed like a room. This keeps dust and noise out. It also helps the air conditioning work better.
Coach and Berth Specifications: Sleeping in Style
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train will have 16 coaches. The total passenger capacity will be around 887 people.
It will have three classes:
- 11 AC 3-Tier Coaches (Third AC)
- 4 AC 2-Tier Coaches (Second AC)
- 1 AC 1st-Tier Coach (First AC)
Here is a detailed look at the features in each class.
AC 3-Tier (Third AC) This is the class most people will use. It has seen the biggest upgrades.
- New Ladders: The biggest complaint in 3-Tier coaches is the ladder to the upper berth. It is often hard to climb. The Vande Bharat Sleeper has a completely new ladder design. It is more like a small staircase. It is safer and much easier to climb for everyone, including senior citizens.
- Better Berths: The sleeping berths have extra cushioning. They are more comfortable than the old, hard berths.
- Personal Lights: Every single berth has its own small reading light. You can read a book without disturbing other passengers.
- Charging Ports: Every berth has its own USB charging port and a mobile charging socket.
AC 2-Tier (Second AC) This class offers more space.
- Wider Berths: The berths are wider than in 3-Tier.
- Privacy Curtains: Each berth will have a privacy curtain.
- All Standard Features: It also has personal reading lights and charging ports for every passenger. The ladders for the upper berths are also new and easy to use.
AC 1st-Tier (First Class) This is the most premium and expensive class.
- Private Cabins: This coach has private cabins with doors that can be locked. There are cabins for four people (4-berth) and cabins for two people (Coupes).
- Premium Design: New designs show a very luxurious cabin. The materials used are high-quality. The lighting is warm and feels like a hotel room.
- Hot Shower: This is a first for Indian Railways. The First AC coach will have a washroom with a hot shower facility. This is a major luxury for long-distance travel.
- Smart Storage: The cabins will have smart storage spaces for luggage.
Modern Washrooms and Pantry
The train’s amenities are also world-class.
Washrooms: The toilets are a major upgrade.
- Three Toilets: Each coach will have three washrooms.
- Bio-Vacuum Toilets: The toilets are bio-vacuum, just like in an airplane. They use very little water and are more hygienic.
- Touch-Free: Many fittings in the washroom are touch-free or modular.
- Anti-Spill Sinks: The wash basins are designed so that water does not splash out when the train is moving.
- Disabled-Friendly: One washroom in every coach will be large. It is designed to be accessible for passengers in a wheelchair (Divyang-jan). This washroom will also have a nappy-changing station for babies.
Pantry: Each coach will have a small pantry car. This will make it easier for railway staff to serve food and drinks to passengers quickly.
Who is Building the Trains?
Many Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are being built. The contract is very big.
- BEML: This company has built the first prototype train. It is working with ICF (Integral Coach Factory, Chennai). This is the train that will launch first.
- Kinet Railway Solutions: This is a joint venture between an Indian company (RVNL) and a Russian company (TMH). They have a contract to build 120 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. They recently showed their design for the First AC coach.
- Titagarh-BHEL: A third contract for 80 trains was given to a team of Titagarh Rail Systems and BHEL.
Conclusion: The Future of Train Travel
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is not just a new train. It is a new standard for travel in India. It combines speed, safety, and passenger comfort.
For the first time, Indian Railways is offering features like hot showers, easy-to-climb ladders, and a super-quiet ride. It is designed to compete with airlines for long-distance travel.
As these trains start running on the tracks, they will replace the old Rajdhani and Duronto trains. This will mark a new, modern era for Indian Railways and a better journey for millions of passengers.
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