Indian Railways' Train 18 is ready to roll - Fare, route, picture, features, top speed and more
Indian Railways is all set to launch the indigenously-built Train 18. With all the safety clearances, trials and tests in place, much-awaited Train 18 is set to roll on Indian Railways' tracks. According to officials, they have approached Prime Minister's Office to seek time for the launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From ticket prices to route to features, here are top details to know:-
The first train is slated to run between New Delhi and Varanasi, the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha constituency. Image source: Reuters
Fares are likely to be around 40-50 per cent higher than the Shatabdi Express. Ticket prices may be almost 40-50 per cent higher than the Executive and Chair Class fares of the Shatabdi Express trains. The Executive Class fare would be between Rs 2,800 and Rs 2,900 while that of the Chair Car would be between Rs 1,600 and 1,700. Image source: Indian Railways
It has successfully completed trials up to a speed of 180 kmph. The train is capable of touching a maximum speed of 200 kmph. Image source: Indian Railways
The engineless Train-18, whose traction equipment is mounted below the bogies, got the final clearance of the Electrical Inspector to the Government (EIG) on Thursday. Image source: Indian Railways
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had confirmed that the Train-18 will run between New Delhi and Varanasi. Image source: Reuters
Train 18 will cover the 755 km distance in eight hours with stoppages at Kanpur and Prayagraj. It will be the fastest train on the route. The current fastest train takes around 11-and-a-half-hours to complete the journey. Image source: Twitter. Piyush Goyal
The Train-18, built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, has undergone extensive trials under the supervision of Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow. Image source: Twitter/Piyush Goyal
Train 18, which runs on electric traction like Metro trains, will start replacing the Shatabdi Express fleet from next year. Image source: PTI
Train 18 has a number of features to enhance passenger comfort which include inter-connected fully-sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, GPS-based passenger information system, modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, rotational seats which can be aligned in the direction of travel (available only in the Executive Class), roller blinds and diffused LED lighting and disabled-friendly toilets. Image source: Twitter/ Piyush Goyal