Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Finishes Trial Run On Mumbai-Ahmedabad Section; Launch Soon After RDSO Nod

The Railway Board, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that the first 16-car Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Set completed its rigorous 540 km trial run on January 15. The train now awaits certification from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and final approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) before it can begin commercial operations.

The Railway Board said, "Before India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is operationalized, the RDSO will issue a final certification based on a comprehensive analysis of the trial runs." Additionally, the Commissioner of Railway Safety will assess the train’s performance at its maximum speed before granting the final clearance.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has 16 coaches divided into three classes: AC 1st Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier. The train has a total capacity of 1,128 passengers. The train has crash buffers, deformation tubes, and a fire barrier wall.

With the completion of Vande Bharat Sleeper trials, the dream of a world-class, high-speed sleeper train is closer to reality. The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is set to redefine long-distance rail travel in India, offering passengers a blend of speed, comfort, and modern amenities, said the Indian Railways.

Integral Coach Factory, Chennai completed manufacturing of India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Set on December 17, 2024. The Railway board said, "Within a fortnight the train was brought to Kota division and was successfully tested for short distances of 30 to 40 km for three days in a row in the first week of last month, where it achieved comfortable travel experience at a high speed of 180 km per hour." The Board said that the long distance trials have also been extremely successful.

Following the successful trial of the prototype, the production of nine additional Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets is scheduled to take place between April and December 2025. These trains are expected to set new benchmarks in efficiency and convenience for long-distance travelers.

To support this ambitious rollout, Indian Railways has placed a large order for propulsion electrics to power 50 rakes of the 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets on December 17, 2024, according to the Railway Board. The Vande Bharat Sleeper propulsion supply contract has been awarded to two leading Indian manufacturers, Medha and Alstom, with a production timeline of two years. Medha will supply propulsion systems for 33 rakes, while Alstom will provide them for 17 rakes, ensuring a strong domestic manufacturing push for the country's high-speed rail network.

According to the Railway Borad, full-scale production of the 24-car Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Sets will commence in 2026-27, further strengthening India's self-reliance in railway technology. The Railway board further said, "These Vande Bharat sleeper trains are designed with features like automatic doors, ultra comfortable berths, on board WiFi & an aircraft-like design."