SEMI HIGH SPEED COACHES ROLL OUT BY 2017,JUNE

Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, has started manufacturing coaches, which are capable of running at the speed of 200 kilometres per hour (kmph). The first rake of 20 such coaches would be rolled out by June 2017.

RCF general manager R P Nibariya said the first four coaches - executive chair cars and AC chair cars two each - would be rolled by next month. As the signal distance for the high speed coaches would remain the same as is with other trains, special emphasis has been laid on the brake system to quicken and strengthen it. The coaches of Alstom-LHB configuration would now have stainless steel disc brakes, sintered pads and electro-pneumatically assisted brake system.





"It is for the first time that electro-pneumatic system is being introduced in the brake system in the country," said an RCF official. Plugs for fitting LED screens are also being provided in front of every seat.

As part of Swachh Bharat campaign, RCF is for the first time introducing feature of vacuum evacuation assistance in the lavatories of coaches as the muck would be emptied at designated stations only and would not be discharged in the open. The lavatories would have also touch-less fittings in taps, hand dryers and soap dispensers besides marble finish and anti-graffiti coating on walls.

Plug type entrance door like Delhi Metro coaches have been introduced in the high speed coaches which have provision to close automatically at 5kmph besides providing better dust, sound and heat insulation. The third major modification in these coaches involves the improved and wider inter-car gangway (vestibule) area between the coaches, which will help to reduce dirt and water ingress besides reducing noise level.




The first rake of 20 coaches would consist of 14 AC chair cars, 3 executive chair cars and three power cars. Each coach will have emphasis on safety and have fire retardant furnishing, besides fire and smoke detection alarms. "Balanced draft gear couplers" between the two coaches would help in smooth acceleration and retardation of the train, RCF officials said.