India’s first Vande Bharat freight train reaches 145 kmph during trial run: Key details

The trial was conducted on both the Up and Down lines of the Nagda-Kota-Sawai Madhopur section of WCR zone. The freight EMU uses Vande Bharat-based technology and has bogies with a 20.32-tonne axle load. The trial was aimed at checking the rake’s stability, operational performance and movement at different speeds.

“During the testing, the rake was first run at 120 kmph between Chaumahla and Shamgarh. The speed was then increased to 135 kmph on the same section. In the final phase, the rake successfully reached the maximum test speed of 145 kmph between Chaumahla and Gurla. During the trials, officials checked the rake’s stability and movement at high speeds as per technical standards. Emergency braking distance was also tested with the rake in an empty condition,” he added.

The official further said that electrical system tests are also underway with the rake in an empty condition. These tests will be carried out as per the scheduled testing programme and will assess the performance of the rake’s electrical and propulsion systems.

India’s first Vande Bharat freight train

Based on the Vande Bharat series, the 16-coach Freight EMU has been designed to transport parcels and other goods at high speed. Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the rake is equipped with modern features such as advanced propulsion and braking systems, a special roller floor system to facilitate parcel loading, automatic wide sliding doors, temperature-controlled (reefer) facilities, CCTV surveillance, and fire detection systems.