The Spanish Talgo train will soon become one of the fastest trains undertaking non-commercial journeys in the country. Undergoing trial runs at present, the train is soon expected to clock a speed of 180 kmph.
On Saturday, the Indian Railways conducted the second trial run on the Talgo train along the Mathura-Palwal route. The high-speed coaches were hauled by a 4,500 HP WDP 4 engine across the 84-km distance. The nine-coach train started its journey at 12.40 p.m. from the Mathura railway station and reached Palwal station at 1.33 pm.
During its first trial between Bareilly and Moradabad in May, the train had run at a maximum speed of 115 kmph, while on Saturday it reached 120 kmph.
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“The speed at which the train ran today was 120 kmph. We will gradually increase the speed to 130, 140 and more till we hit 180 kmph,” said Anil Kumar Saxena, Additional Director General, Public Relations, Indian Railways.
While the Talgo train can run at a speed of 200 kmph, the maximum speed allowed for trial runs in India is kept at 180 kmph.
Mr. Saxena said that while initial findings from the trial run were satisfactory, the actual performance based on standards of riding quality, safety and stability will be known after data recorded during the trial runs is examined.
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“During the trial runs, experts from RDSO (Research Designs & Standards Organisation) were present along with experts from Talgo. Railway officials, including those from North Central Railway zone, were also present,” Mr. Saxena said.
The light-weight aluminium coaches are made by Madrid-based manufacturer Talgo, which are capable of travelling at much higher speeds due to their weight and don’t need to de-accelerate at sharp turns compared to conventional coaches used by the Indian Railways.
As part of the third trial run, the train will cover the route between Delhi and Mumbai at top speed, Mr. Saxena said.
The present trial is expected to continue for 25 days. The train will run on the Delhi-Mumbai route five to six days after the second trial ends, he said.
Indian Railways had recently started the semi high-speed train Gatimaan Express, which runs at 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra Cantonment railway stations, and is veering towards introducing more trains that can travel at faster speeds on busy routes such as Delhi-Mumbai.
If successful, the train is expected to cover the distance between Delhi and Mumbai within 12 hours, a journey that takes around 17 hours at present.
Besides being faster, the Talgo trains are also up to 30 per cent more energy efficient and environment friendly.