Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: The Sleeper Vande Bharat Express successfully completed its first trial run on Wednesday, covering the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The train, which departed from Mumbai Central Railway Station of Western Railways (WR), achieved a speed of 130 kmph during the trial and reached Ahmedabad station seamlessly.
A senior Railway official confirmed that the deployment of the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express will commence after three to four additional trials, including runs between Nagda and Kota in Rajasthan, and other locations within the Northern Railways (NR) zone.
Peak Speed Achieved During Trials
The train arrived at Mumbai Central at 1:50 PM, having departed from Ahmedabad at 7:29 AM. It departed again for Ahmedabad at 2:45 PM. Notably, during recent trials, the Sleeper Vande Bharat Express achieved a peak speed of 180 kmph, including a high-speed test on January 2, where it clocked 180 kmph during a 30-km stretch between Kota and Laban in Rajasthan’s Bundi district.
According to officials, the Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO) is conducting Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials to assess the train’s performance across various zones. A detailed report will be submitted to the Railway Board upon completion of the trials, after which the deployment route and schedule will be finalized.
Advanced Features and Passenger Comfort
The 16-coach Sleeper Vande Bharat train includes state-of-the-art amenities:
- 11 AC-3 Tier Coaches
- 4 AC-2 Tier Coaches
- 1 First AC Coach
All coaches are equipped with Type A and C charging ports, foldable snack tables, integrated lighting, and laptop charging setups. Additional features include a combined gangway for smooth movement, dog boxes at both ends, dedicated linen storage, and 38 special seats for attendants. To enhance accessibility, the train includes Braille navigation for visually impaired passengers.
The coaches comply with HL3 fire safety standards, ensuring maximum passenger safety.
Final Certification and Deployment
Sources from WR have indicated that RDSO is expected to issue the final certificate next week. Following this, the Railway Safety Commission will conduct a detailed evaluation, including tests at maximum speed. The Railway Board will then finalize the train’s deployment in service and its operational routes.
The Sleeper Vande Bharat Express is poised to redefine overnight train travel in India, setting new benchmarks for speed, safety, and passenger convenience.
