India-made semi-high speed 'Train 18' to be rolled out for testing in Sept

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The Indian Railways will start the testing of the much awaited indigenously built semi-high speed "Train 18" from September, official sources said.

According to Railway Ministry sources, "Train 18" is expected to be rolled out in September.

The train will be inducted in the railways fleet only after thorough testing, the sources said.

The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), a technical adviser to the Indian Railways, will conduct the tests and give its validation to the train.

"Train 18" was earlier scheduled to roll out in July.

Built by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, the train will promote "Make in India", and is capable of running at a speed of 160 km per hour.

It will be self-propelled on electric traction like the metro trains and does not require an engine to run.

"Train 18" will replace the existing train fleet of the Shatabdi Express, Railway Ministry officials said, adding that the ICF will make six such train sets, out of which two will have sleeper coaches.

The new train has some 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.