IR to introduce two new high-speed trains

Indian Railways (IR) is expected to introduce two new high speed trains on its network – Train 18 and Train 20 – which will replace the existing fleet of Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains and operate at maximum speeds of 176 km per hour. The trains are currently being developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) under the Make In India initiative with one coach of Train 18 likely to cost about Rs 25 million, and that of Train 20 to cost around Rs 55 million. While the ICF has already completed the design work for Train 18, the design consultancy contract for Train 20 is likely to be finalised in February 2018 with companies from Japan, China and Europe participating in the bidding process. Train 18 is likely to be launched in June 2018, while Train 20 is likely to be made operational in 2020.