Talgo completes final run in less than 12 hours

The much-awaited Spanish-made Talgo high-speed train completed its final Delhi-Mumbai trial run in less than 12 hours, the Railways Ministry said on Sunday.

On the Talgo run, a senior railway official told IANS: "The train left from New Delhi at 2.45 p.m. and reached Mumbai in 11 hours 42 minutes -- two minutes ahead of its scheduled time."

The trial was carried out at maximum speed of 150 kmph, covering the distance of 1,384 km between the two metropolises.

Earlier, five trial runs of Talgo train between these destinations were carried out at 140 kmph.

The Railway Ministry took to Twitter to share the news of the successful trial run. "In a big boost to IR's dreams of semi-high (speed), Talgo's train completed Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani route trial in less than 12 hours," it posted.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu congratulated the railways team and wrote: "A major achievement for our team. We are working on increasing speed, reducing travel time using innovative means."

The Talgo coaches have the feature of natural tilting while travelling on curves which enable them to achieve approximately 20 percent higher speed in comparison to the conventional coaches.

After the new feat in high-speed category trains, the Railway Ministry also announced that Humsafar trains -- a special-class service comprising AC 3-Tier coaches -- are set for launch next month.

Their fares that would be about 20 per cent higher than for the normal Mail and Express trains.

Announcing some new trains in the Rail Budget for the current fiscal in February, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had introduced Humsafar, a special-class service comprising AC 3-Tier coaches.

"Humsafar would be fully airconditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals," he had said.

It is a special-class train for inter-city overnight journey with many additional facilities which are otherwise not available in normal AC 3-tier coaches, like close circuit TV, GPS-based passenger information systems, fire and smoke detection and suppression systems and mobile/laptop charging points with every berth.

Humsafar will also have improved aesthetics with new interior and exterior colour schemes presenting a futuristic look with the use of vinyl sheets similar to Maharaja Express coaches. Besides, it will also have integrated braille displays.

--IANS

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