LHB Coaches and Head On Generation (HOG) Power take Vijayawada - Gudur Intercity Superfast Express to best-in-class standards

Newly Introduced Train evokes Good Response from Rail Users

The newly introduced Train No. 12744/12743 Vijayawada-Gudur Intercity Superfast Express has evoked a good response from rail users travelling o­n the Vijayawada - Gudur sector, with the train occupancy being in the range of over 85%. The new train with convenient timings and halts at Tenali, Bapatla, Chirala, o­ngole, Bitragunta, Kavali and Nellore stations enroute, it has come as a boon to commuters travelling between the capital area of Andhra Pradesh and Simhapuri region in the south coast of the State. While the public response has been o­n expected lines, the introduction of the train by South Central Railway heralds a new standard to rail travel o­n the basis of the high end features of the train rake, which marks the best in class to run o­n Indian Railways.

Acting o­n the advice of Ministry of Railways to introduce the German Technology based Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) Coaches for new trains, SCR has put into operations, LHB rake for the Vijayawada-Gudur Intercity Superfast Express, which not just looks elegant but also adds to make rail travel safe and comfortable. The modern LHB coaches incorporate a host of safety features. They are anti-telescopic (do not over turn even in case of any collision), lighter in weight, hold heavier carrying capacity, suited for better speeds of upto 160 kmph and carry Centre Buffer Coupling between coaches for ensuring a strong and safe link of the entire train.

In terms of comfort, the new train rake is built to carry more number of passengers, adding to which, several passenger centric facilities have been incorporated. The 14 coach train with two air-conditioned chair cars, four second class reserved seating and eight unreserved second class seating coaches’ carries a total of 1,116 seats, comparatively more than a conventional train rake. This includes 156 seats in AC Chair Car; 432 in second seating reserved and 528 in second seating unreserved classes.

Better seating comfort, wider windows, well designed and ventilated bio-toilets, sturdy flooring is the hallmark of the coach interiors while the outside look conveys high quality and tough finish. Water Purifiers and availability of drinking water in non air-conditioned coaches, mini hot and cold pantry in AC chair car and three Non-AC coaches, roller blinds instead of cloth curtains for windows in AC coaches as well as sliding doors in the air-conditioned coach enhance the travel comforts. Pressurized flush system is provided in all the coach toilets to enhance cleanliness and minimize usage of water. With a view to ensure that passenger convenience is maintained to the optimal best, watering of the coaches is being undertaken at both Vijayawada and Gudur to ensure no hitch in supply during the rail journey in both directions.

With the journey time between the two destinations being around 4 ½ hours and the ticketing tariff being competitively priced, the newly introduced train comes as a better option in comparison to road travel. The initiative of SCR has earned public goodwill, with the feedback coming in very positively from the rail users.

The newly introduced Vijayawada - Gudur Intercity Superfast Express has also earned recognition as the first ever train over Vijayawada Division to operate with Head o­n Generation (HOG) power supply system, wherein the power requirement of the train is drawn from the Overhead Electrical wires through Electric Locomotives. This measure to run the fans/lights and air-conditioning of the coaches through electricity instead of Diesel Fuel generated power as earlier, is environment friendly, reduces carbon emission and sound pollution besides saving of around Rs. 49,000 in fuel costs per trip per rake, accruing to Rs 1.79 crore per annum.

Expressing his satisfaction that the new express service has met public expectations to the hilt, Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway went o­n to opine that the train has set the course for the Zone to formalize new standards of convenience, comfort and cost effectiveness to rail travel. The General Manager credited officials and staff of the Division for the achievement and exhorted them to undertake stringent primary and secondary maintenance of the train besides ensuring utmost cleanliness.