India's Indigenous Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Successfully Achieves 180 KPH During Comprehensive Trials

The trial was conducted in two trips on the Rohalkhurd-Indragarh-Kota section (Representational)

Kota:

India's domestically produced Vande Bharat sleeper train successfully achieved the 180 kilometers per hour (KPH) speed milestone during trials in both loaded and empty configurations in the West Central Railways' Kota division, railway officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The initial Vande Bharat sleeper train rake underwent testing between December 2024 and January 2025 in the same division of West Central Railways.

From November 2 to 17, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) Testing Directorate team from Lucknow successfully evaluated the second rake of the high-speed Vande Bharat sleeper train (Version 2, 16 coaches) under both loaded and empty conditions.

A senior railway official stated that the second train rake carrying a 908-ton load successfully reached the 180 KPH mark last week. This achievement was followed by another successful trial (Version 2, 16 coaches, Empty Series) using an 800-ton empty rake on Monday.

The official added that this accomplishment represents another historic milestone for "Mission Raftar" and the "Make in India" initiative.

Technical specialists from Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai, Medha Servo Drives Limited, and Faiveley India Pvt Ltd were present throughout the trials.

According to an official statement by Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Jain, the trial consisted of two journeys along the Rohalkhurd-Indragarh-Kota section, covering a total distance of 100 kilometers.

During testing, the train reached a maximum speed of 180 kilometers per hour while successfully completing crucial technical assessments including the oscillation test and long confirmatory run (LCR).

The trials under loaded and empty conditions were designed to scientifically assess the train's stability, safety features, braking efficiency, and passenger comfort at high speeds.

A railway official explained that a similar test was previously conducted with the train fully loaded at 908 tons, which included 108 tons of additional weight (in the form of canisters filled with 50-50 kilograms of iron dust) added to the 800-ton rake weight.

The official added that in this latest test, the evaluation was repeated using an 800-ton empty rake (empty load conditions).

These complementary trials provided a comparative analysis of the train's performance under different conditions, ensuring scientific validation of its structural and mechanical stability across various operational scenarios.

Key figures in these successful high-speed trials included RDSO Lucknow's Testing Director Radheshyam Tiwari, Chief Loco Inspector R N Meena, Traffic Inspector Sushil Jaithwani, Loco Pilot Anil Bhardwaj, Co-Loco Pilot Rakesh Sakarwal, and Train Manager Hari Mohan Meena.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper rake is built using indigenous technology and features an advanced suspension system, low-noise aerodynamic design, and modified bogie configuration.

Jain highlighted that these enhancements provide superior stability even at high speeds and deliver an excellent passenger experience. This achievement represents another significant advancement in Indian Railways' technical self-reliance and global competitiveness, showcasing the success of the "Make in India" initiative.