New Delhi: A rake of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train reached a speed of 180 kmph during safety and stability trials conducted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The trials were conducted in the Kota-Nagda section under West Central Railway.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav shared a video of the successful “Water Test” on X, demonstrating its remarkable stability at high speeds.
The video shows the train accelerating from 178 kmph to 182 kmph within seconds. There are four glasses filled with water on a serving table in front of a mobile phone measuring the speed. One of the glasses is placed on the other three. While the water shakes gently, not a drop spills as the train picks up speed.
“Vande Bharat Sleeper tested today by Commissioner Railway Safety. It ran at 180 kmph between Kota Nagda section. And our own water test demonstrated the technological features of this new generation train,” Vaishnav posted.
The Ministry of Railways has previously announced the introduction of two Vand
e Bharat Sleeper trains, designed to offer high-speed, comfortable travel for passengers in AC classes.
The Ministry’s year-end review has said that these trains are set to revolutionise long-distance rail travel. Initially deployed on busy routes, they will eventually be rolled out across the network, significantly cutting down travel times.
Build by BEML Ltd, the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains use technology from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The trains have 16 coaches, which include AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, and AC 3-Tier configurations, accommodating up to 1,128 passengers. With a top speed of 180 km/h, the Vande Bharat Sleeper ranks among the fastest overnight trains in India.
Currently, Indian Railways operates semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains with a design speed of 180 km/h and a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper aims to combine the comfort of the Rajdhani Express with modern, advanced technology. With its 16 state-of-the-art coaches, it is set to transform the experience of overnight rail travel.
Designed specifically for overnight journeys, the sleeper variant of the Vande Bharat Express offers passengers exceptional comfort and convenience. Passengers can expect interiors that are both stylish and contemporary, featuring soft lighting and padded berths, making the ride feel more like staying in a hotel than travelling by train, an official said.