Vande Bharat sleeper train hits 180 kmph in trial runs

Indian Railways has started trial runs for the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat sleeper train, specifically designed for long-distance overnight journeys. These trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 180 kmph, a milestone achieved during tests, albeit over short distances. The recent trials were conducted between Kota and Sawai Madhopur, covering an approximate 127 km stretch, under the West Central Railway (WCR) zone.

Orders for at least ten Vande Bharat sleeper trains have been placed with BEML, and reportedly more long-distance routes are under consideration, senior Ministry official said. “Once these trials are over, the train will be evaluated by the Railway Safety Commissioner at its maximum speed,” said the official. Only after passing the final assessment will Vande Bharat trains be officially certified and handed over to Indian Railways for induction into regular service. 

Oscillation trials were carried out to “evaluate the riding quality and maximum acceleration” being felt in each of the nine types of coaches that comprise the rake. Trials were performed in two stages, with the first stage carried out in the Jhansi division of the North Central Railway (NCR), where speeds of up to 115 kmph were achieved.

“Trials will continue throughout January under the supervision of RDSO, Lucknow,” an official said.

Vaishnaw shared a video on social media platform X, of what is now popularly called the “water sloshing test” (interia-based speed test) — to indicate speed and smoothness of a ride or a vehicle’s motion.  The video shared shows a glass nearly filled to the brim with water, placed next to a mobile phone on a plain surface inside a Vande Bharat sleeper train. The water level remained static as the moving train achieved near-constant peak speed.

Other tests include brake performance trials – carried out using dedicated instrumentation, estimation of braking distance, in different braking modes including when the rakes were at 160 kmph.  A coupler force recording is also to be done, using specially mounted instruments, with the max coupler force at 160 kmph in the front, middle & rear of the rake.

Also included are other Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials between Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad segment at 130 kmph to record and validate operations of the rake at 130 kmph in a commercial section.