The second rake of the sleek and classy semi-high-speed sleeper version of the Vande Bharat Express train, originally conceived as Train 20, the successor of the existing Train 18 chair car unit, made its way from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to Mumbai Central station on Friday as part of trials.
The prototype (first model) of this train has been undergoing tests and trials since January 2025 under various conditions and different terrains. The train has achieved a speed of 180 kmph in the Kota division. These trains will be in public use by mid-2026. The train arrived at Mumbai Central station around 3.15 pm and will be leaving on Saturday morning.
The Vande Bharat Express rake possesses automatic plug doors. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The first train had achieved a speed of 181 kmph during a run at Kota in January 2025. “The train is undergoing Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (COCR) trials at 130 kmph, which is a test run to certify a train’s speed and evaluate its condition. A COCR trial run of the prototype rake of the Vande Bharat sleeper was conducted on November 14 between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central on Western Railway.
The Third AC coach of the sleeper Vande Bharat train, which has a spacious triple-tier layout; (right) A dog box at one end of the rake. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
This second rake, manufactured by BEML with technology from Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, is a key step towards the full launch of these long-distance sleeper trains. Improvements have been made to this rake by taking feedback based on the first rake. There have been upgrades to the toilets and berths, plus a few alterations, such as repositioning of some holding arms and fixtures. This 16-coach train includes 11 AC-3 tier coaches, 4 AC-2 tier coaches, and 1 First AC coach, all equipped with advanced features such as separate charging ports for Type A and C devices, a foldable snack table, an integrated lighting system, and a laptop charging setup.
For passenger convenience, the train has a combined gangway for smooth movement, dog boxes at both ends, adequate linen space, and 38 special seats for attendants. Additionally, all coaches are HL3 (Hazard Level 3) compliant for fire safety and include Braille navigation. Designed for overnight travel with modern comfort and improved aerodynamics.
