A new prototype of a Vande Bharat sleeper coach train underwent a trial with a top speed of 130 kmph between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central on Wednesday, Western Railway officials said. As part of the ongoing trials, the 16-coach train set with swanky interiors reached Mumbai Central at around 1:50 pm and departed for Ahmedabad at 2:45 pm, a senior WR official reported.
The train was scheduled to reach Mumbai Central at 12.40 pm, but it reached around one hour and 10 minutes late due to some “unavoidable” reasons, officials said. The Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trial of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train at a speed of 130 kmph between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central was conducted by a senior Western Railway official.
The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) will issue a final certificate after the analysis of the train. RDSO is responsible for the design and standardisation of railway equipment in the country. The semi-high-speed train has 11 AC-3 tier coaches, 4 AC-2 tier coaches, and one first-class AC coach. These coaches are equipped with features like charging ports for mobile devices, a foldable snack table, an integrated lighting system, and a laptop charging setup.
The train has a combined gangway for smooth movement, dog boxes at both ends, adequate linen space, and 38 special seats for attendants. Additionally, all coaches are HL3 compliant for fire safety and include Braille navigation for visually challenged passengers. The AC first-class coach has 24 seats, and the second AC coaches have 48 seats each. Among the 3rd AC coaches, five have 67 seats each, and four have 55 seats each.
### Western Railway now has its first ‘All-Women Maintenance Team’
In a groundbreaking move, the Western Railway now boasts its first ‘All-Women Maintenance Team’ in Mumbai, according to an official statement. This significant milestone showcases the changing role of women in traditionally male-dominated industries as the team operates in the Mumbai Suburban Traction (TRD) department.
Over the past month, the all-women team underwent extensive training to handle and maintain high-voltage equipment, including 25kV and 110kV systems at the Mahalaxmi Traction Substation. After completing their training, the team is fully equipped to work independently while adhering to strict safety protocols, officials confirmed.
This initiative marks a major leap forward in promoting gender equality and empowering women in technical roles within the railway industry. The Western Railway’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through this groundbreaking initiative, which paves the way for more women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields.
The future of railway maintenance is bright with this all-women team leading the way towards a more inclusive and diverse workforce within the Western Railway. Let’s celebrate this historic achievement and support the continued progress towards gender equality in all sectors of society.
