Train 20

Train 20 was a proposed semi-high-speed, long-distance electric multiple unit (EMU) train designed to replace the Rajdhani Express. The rakes were expected to be similar to Train 18 (Vande Bharat Express), differing only in an aluminium body and sleeping berths. This train was supposed to be used for long distances. Since it was planned to be operational by 2020, it was named "Train 20".[1]

Train 20
ManufacturerIntegral Coach Factory
ReplacedRajdhani Express (TBD)
Operator(s)Indian Railways
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
DoorsAutomatic
Power supply25 kV 50 Hz AC
Braking system(s)Air, Regenerative braking
Track gauge5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge

This train was to be an EMU and a locomotive would not have been necessary to haul the coaches, instead the carriages would have been self-propelled. The train would have featured two distinctive classes, the air-conditioned chair and sleeper cars. The sleeper cars would have included AC 1st class, AC 2-tier and AC 3-tier sub-classes.[2][3]

Following the renaming of Train 18 as Vande Bharat Express, any mentions of Train 20 were stopped. It was replaced by Vande Bharat 3.0.[4]

History

Most long-distance train travel in India takes more than twelve hours to complete, making it hectic for commuters. For example, the Mumbai Rajdhani Express between Mumbai and New Delhi takes about 15 hours and 32 minutes. The introduction of a semi-high-speed train with modern coaches would reduce travel time significantly.[5] Hence Indian Railways started to upgrade the tracks as well as design new train rakes that could match the passenger rail standards operated across the developed world.[3]

During the design phase of Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways had also planned to introduce a long-distance, sleeper version of the train to replace the 50-year-old Rajdhani Express.[6][1] The EMU train with aluminium coaches, a first of its kind in India, was estimated to cost ₹2,500 crore (US$310 million). It was expected to roll out by 2020, hence it was named "Train 20" similar to its counterpart, Vande Bharat Express, which was initially called "Train 18".[7]

According to the designers, the aluminium body would make it lighter, energy efficient and aesthetically 'better looking'. Companies from Japan, China and Europe were said to be in the race to win the bid for the design consultancy contract for Train 20. The tender as said by the officials was supposed to be finalised by mid-February 2018. ICF planned to build two train rakes by 2020 and thereafter add 24 more trains to the service in future.[8] Although the pre-bid conference had attracted around seven global players, the Stadler-Medha consortium emerged as the sole bidder after final submission. Others lacked a pre-condition which said that the manufacturer should have an existing manufacturing facility in India. The authorities began to examine the bid submitted by the Swiss consortium.[9]

In July 2018, the Nallasopara-Virar train shed which was built by Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation, emerged as a shed which likely would maintain the Train 20 rakes. Western Railways was likely to operate the train which could potentially run from Mumbai to New Delhi.[10]

Indian Railways received a rap from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion which red-flagged the initial tender, stating that it was not in line with India's ambitious 'Make in India' project. Hence, a brand new tender was said to be floated with reworked conditions that would also take care of the interests of domestic manufacturers.[11]

In 2022, the Government of India Floated Tenders to construct 200 new Sleeper class Vande Bharat Express.[4] In March 2023, the Government of India announced that the contract for the production of the trains was awarded to TMH, a Russian rolling stock company.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Train-20: Aluminium-bodied trainsets to run on Rajdhani routes". The News Minute. 25 December 2017.
  2. "Accommodation Classes in Indian Railways". Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  3. "Indian railways to unleash world-class semi-speed trains by 2020". The Better India. 13 October 2017.
  4. Dipak K Dash (2022-04-27). "Railways invites bids for 200 Vande Bharat trains with sleeper coaches for long-distance travel". The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  5. "Six reasons why Indian trains are appallingly slow". First post. 8 July 2014.
  6. "Train-18 country's first engine-less train rolled out; Train 20 next". The Economic Times. 29 October 2018.
  7. "Train-20: Aluminium-bodied trainsets for Rajdhani routes". Free Press Journal. 26 December 2017.
  8. "Engine-less train: 160 kmph Train 18 to be out in June, Train 20 in 2020". Indian Express. 23 January 2018.
  9. "Lone bidder for ambitious Rs 2,700 crore Train-20 project". The Week. 14 February 2018.
  10. "Indian Railways' self-propelled modern T-20 train sets may be maintained in Nallasopara-Virar: Report". Financial Express. 9 July 2018.
  11. "Train 20: World-class semi-high speed train sets to replace Indian Railways Rajdhani Express; know about them". Financial Express. 8 August 2018.
  12. "Sleeper Edition Vande Bharat Express: Indian Railways Issues Contract Award Letter for Production of 120 Trains". 30 March 2023.
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