March to bring safer, comfy railway ride
The Railways to introduce LHB coaches in Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani Express. They are safer, more spacious and comfortable than existing compartments
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, February 04, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2012020420120204012027869a6a67630/March-to-bring-safer-comfy-railway-ride.html)
The onset of summer is set to bring a cool jaunt for Amdavadis as the Railways plans to introduce LHB coaches in Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani Express by the first week of March. The elite passengers of Ahmedabad-Mumbai Shatabdi Express have been travelling in the comfy LHB compartments for past one-and-half years. But more than comfort, these sleek and spacious coaches are safer than the conventional compartments.
“For long, we have been waiting for the nod to introduce the new coaches. Finally, the approval has come from the Railway Board. We have got one rake. The second rake and additional coaches will arrive by February 20. We will be able to run the train with new coaches in the first week of March after Chief Railway Security inspection,” said Ahmedabad Railway Divisional Manager Rakesh Behal.
What is LHB coach?
Superior to conventional coaches, LHB coaches can run at the maximum speed of 160 to 200 kmph, without causing any jerk to passengers. These coaches are anti-telescopic and cannot turn turtle in the event of any derailment or collision. These coaches have more riding comforts due to improved suspension system. The cost of each LHB coach is about Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore.
The LHB coaches are fitted with microprocessor controlled high capacity air conditioning system which gives passengers better comforts during summer and winter. That apart, these coaches have capacity to accommodate 72 passengers in each AC-3 coach as against 64 passengers in other AC-3 conventional coach. Similarly, the number of berths is more in LHB AC-2 and AC-1 coaches, said a source in Railways.
The sound level of LHB coaches is hardly 60 decibels while it is about 100 decibels in conventional coaches, added the source.
Old compartments
The coaches which are currently in use were fitted in 1989. “Not that they are in a run-down condition, but the Railways wants the makeover. Rajdhani and Shatabdi are A-grade, super-fast trains. So it should have all the facilities for passengers’ convenience and comfort,” said the source.
LHB coaches had averted tragedy
About two years ago, the passengers of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express had a narrow escape when eight coaches of the train derailed near Gaya. The providential
escape was possible mainly due to the LHB coaches which stuck to the ground soon after the derailment and averted a major tragedy.
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, February 04, 2012 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2012020420120204012027869a6a67630/March-to-bring-safer-comfy-railway-ride.html)
The onset of summer is set to bring a cool jaunt for Amdavadis as the Railways plans to introduce LHB coaches in Ahmedabad-Delhi Rajdhani Express by the first week of March. The elite passengers of Ahmedabad-Mumbai Shatabdi Express have been travelling in the comfy LHB compartments for past one-and-half years. But more than comfort, these sleek and spacious coaches are safer than the conventional compartments.
“For long, we have been waiting for the nod to introduce the new coaches. Finally, the approval has come from the Railway Board. We have got one rake. The second rake and additional coaches will arrive by February 20. We will be able to run the train with new coaches in the first week of March after Chief Railway Security inspection,” said Ahmedabad Railway Divisional Manager Rakesh Behal.
What is LHB coach?
Superior to conventional coaches, LHB coaches can run at the maximum speed of 160 to 200 kmph, without causing any jerk to passengers. These coaches are anti-telescopic and cannot turn turtle in the event of any derailment or collision. These coaches have more riding comforts due to improved suspension system. The cost of each LHB coach is about Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore.
The LHB coaches are fitted with microprocessor controlled high capacity air conditioning system which gives passengers better comforts during summer and winter. That apart, these coaches have capacity to accommodate 72 passengers in each AC-3 coach as against 64 passengers in other AC-3 conventional coach. Similarly, the number of berths is more in LHB AC-2 and AC-1 coaches, said a source in Railways.
The sound level of LHB coaches is hardly 60 decibels while it is about 100 decibels in conventional coaches, added the source.
Old compartments
The coaches which are currently in use were fitted in 1989. “Not that they are in a run-down condition, but the Railways wants the makeover. Rajdhani and Shatabdi are A-grade, super-fast trains. So it should have all the facilities for passengers’ convenience and comfort,” said the source.
LHB coaches had averted tragedy
About two years ago, the passengers of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express had a narrow escape when eight coaches of the train derailed near Gaya. The providential
escape was possible mainly due to the LHB coaches which stuck to the ground soon after the derailment and averted a major tragedy.
