Double-decker train arrives

The double-decker train, with a mini-pantry in every coach, can reach a maximum speed of 160 km per hour and will take six hours to reach Bangalore from Chennai

SCHEDULE | The train will leave Chennai at 7.25am and reach Bangalore at 1.30pm; will leave Bangalore at 2.40pm and arrive at Chennai Central at 8.45pm STOPS | The train will stop at Perambur (onward only), Arakkonam, Katpadi, Ambur, Jolarpet, Bangarapet, Krishnarajapuram and Bangalore Cantonment.
It appears the railways may have to re-space signals, increase length of platform and effect a mild alteration in track alignment. A senior official said: “We expect the service to start in a few months and have to get clearances from the chief commissioner railway safety (CCRS)”. Officials said they were checking to see if the coaches scrape the edge of platforms and that bridges, electric traction equipment, platforms, etc.,were suitable.
Each of the 12 coaches can seat 120 and will be 4,366mm tall against the 3,950mm height of a Shatabdi Express coach. Each coach is estimated to cost about 2.5 crore. Designed and developed at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, the train can reach a maximum speed of 160km per hour and cover the 362 km distance to Bangalore in six hours. The coaches have automatic doors, eight emergency windows and fire extinguishers. A mini-pantry equipped with water cooler and facilities to make tea, cold drinks, soup and ice-creams for passengers will be available in every coach.
Many commuters said they were waiting for the train. “It’s good the coaches have arrived. But this train takes six hours to reach Bangalore, while the Shatabdi takes five,” said Jobin Sebastian, a regular commuter. Sources said the Basin Bridge train care centre lacked facilities to maintain the rakes. “The coaches have reached but skilled workers haven’t been recruited,” said a union leader at the centre.
An air conditioned doubledecker train was first introduced between Howrah and Dhanbad followed by services on the Delhi-Jaipur and Ahmedabad -Mumbai sectors.