Indian Railways runs 1.3-km freight train carrying 360 containers from Mumbai to Gujarat: Check details

Indian Railways has operated its first 1.3-km double-stack long-haul container train, marking a milestone for freight capacity and efficient cargo movement.

3 min readUpdated: Aug 23, 2026 01:43 PM IST

First 1.3-km double-stack long-haul container train run by Indian Railways on WDFC (Image: Ministry of Railways)

Indian Railways has operated its first 1.3-km-long double-stack container train, aimed at increasing freight capacity and improving logistics efficiency. The train was operated from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) near Mumbai to Varnama in Vadodara Division on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC).

According to the national transporter, the train departed from JNPT at 7 pm on August 21, 2026, carrying 360 TEUs (containers). It covered around 422 km to reach CONCOR’s GCT terminal at Varnama.

The operation involved two double-stack rakes joined together to form a single long-haul train. Each rake carried 180 TEUs, taking the total capacity of the train to 360 TEUs.

First 1.3-km double-stack long-haul container train run by Indian Railways on WDFC (Image: Ministry of Railways)

The long-haul formation comprised two double-stack rakes. The leading rake from JNPT to Vadodara had a load of 45+1, was hauled by locomotive 60311 and had a tonnage of 1,817 tonnes. The trailing rake, also operating between JNPT and Vadodara, had a load of 45+1, was hauled by locomotive 24690 and carried 2,105 tonnes.

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📢 First Long Haul (1.3 km) Double Stack container train on Western Dedicated Freight Corridor

JNPT, Mumbai -> Vadodara, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/CY9kWabvrM

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 22, 2026

How double-stack long-haul trains can boost freight movement

Less congestion at terminals

Moving more containers in a single train can help speed up the evacuation of containers from ports and reduce congestion at terminals.

More freight in one train

Double-stack train operations allow containers to be carried one above another, increasing the amount of cargo transported in a single movement.

Also Read | 129 wagons, 3 engines: North Eastern Railway runs its longest ‘Awadh Mahashakti’ freight train

Better use of railway routes

According to Railways, since more containers can be moved in one train, fewer train movements may be needed to transport the same volume of freight.

Faster freight movement

Long-haul train operations can help move and evacuate containers more efficiently, potentially reducing overall transit time.

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How rail freight can reduce road traffic

As the train was electrically hauled, it can help reduce dependence on diesel-powered road transport. In a statement, the national transporter said that a single long-haul double-stack container train can carry cargo that would otherwise require a large number of trucks. This can help reduce road congestion, diesel consumption and transport-related emissions.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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