India’s first Vande Bharat freight train has undergone a 130 kmph trial run on the Kota-Rohal Khurd section of West Central Railway, marking a step towards faster movement of parcels and other goods by rail.
The trial was conducted as part of technical testing, with teams from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Integral Coach Factory (ICF) present to assess the train’s performance at high speed.
Railway officials tested several electrical, propulsion and safety systems during the run, including regenerative energy, thermal capacity, traction, braking and jerk levels under loaded conditions.
The regenerative energy test assessed how efficiently the train can recover electrical energy while braking. The thermal capacity test examined the performance of the electrical and propulsion systems during high-speed operation.
Traction and braking tests were carried out to assess the train’s pulling and stopping capabilities, while jerk tests examined the smoothness of acceleration and deceleration when the train is carrying a load.
Based on the Vande Bharat series, the 16-coach Freight EMU has been developed specifically for transporting parcels and other goods at high speeds. The rake was developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory.
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The freight train is equipped with several features aimed at improving the speed, safety and efficiency of logistics operations. These include advanced propulsion and braking systems, a roller floor system to facilitate parcel loading, automatic wide sliding doors and temperature-controlled facilities for goods requiring refrigeration.
It also has CCTV surveillance and fire detection systems.
Railway officials said the technical trials are aimed at carrying out a detailed assessment of the rake’s functionality, reliability and performance at high speeds.
The 130 kmph trial is part of the testing process before the train can be considered for wider operational use. Successful completion of the trials could pave the way for faster and more reliable parcel and logistics transportation on the Indian Railways network.
The introduction of a dedicated high-speed freight train based on the Vande Bharat platform is also aimed at improving the competitiveness of rail-based parcel transportation, particularly for time-sensitive goods.
The latest trial marks another step in efforts to expand the use of semi-high-speed train technology beyond passenger services and into India's growing logistics sector.
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