Jamshedpur: Passengers travelling by Steel Superfast Express, Jamshedpur's most popular train to Calcutta, can look forward to a more comfortable journey later this year when the train's conventional coaches will be replaced with state-of-the-art LHB coaches currently in use in Rajdhani and Duronto.
Highly placed railway sources told The Telegraph that the Railway Board had on Thursday communicated its decision in a letter to Garden Reach, the Calcutta-based headquarters of South Eastern Railway (SER).
The board's letter said that the German-designed LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches for the train would be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) at Perambur, Chennai.
In all, 22-new LHB coaches would be manufactured, which apart from two generator cars would include 15 ordinary chair cars, 3-AC chair cars, one executive AC chair car and a pantry car. Each coach would cost around Rs 1.5 crore. They are expected to be ready in the next six months.
According to a senior railway official, LHB coaches run using an end-on-generation (EOG) system which means power to the coaches is supplied by generators in the power cars. Made of stainless steel on the outside and aluminium on the inside, the coaches are lighter than conventional ones. They are equipped with an advanced braking system for increased safety at higher speeds and are "anti-telescopic", that means they do not flip even if the train derails or suffers a collision.
The improved suspension system ensures more riding comfort. The air-conditioning is of higher capacity compared to older rakes and is controlled by a microprocessor for optimum temperature control in both summer and winter.
All seats are designed to absorb shock and will offer relief to elderly passengers or those who suffer from back pain. "In short, the new coaches will offer maximum comfort to passengers. Additionally, the coaches will have environment-friendly bio-toilets," the official said.
A senior official of Tatanagar railway's engineering wing said the unique German design LHB coaches are currently used in three trains, namely, Howrah-Mumbai Duronto Express, Howrah-Pune Duronto Express and Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. All three trains pass through Tatanagar.
A Railway Board official said that the decision was taken to ensure safety and comfort in one of the most popular trains of the region. "There will be no change in the fare structure once the LHB coaches are introduced. The train with LHB coaches can run at a speed of 130 kmph," he explained.
As of now, the Steel Superfast Express has 23 coaches, ferrying over 3,500 passengers in AC chair cars, 3rd AC, 1st AC and ordinary chair cars. Its conventional rakes run on self-generating system, which means each coach generates its own power through a dynamo fitted under the coach, and a battery, which is used in case of an emergency or when the coach is not in motion.
Chakradharpur railway division spokesperson Bhaskar, who wasn't aware of the development, said, "It's a good decision. Apart from comfort, it will ensure safe travel for passengers."
S.K. Jaiswal, a frequent traveller, welcomed the news. "Thanks to the railways, we can look forward to travelling in the refurbished coaches which ensure safety. It is a big boon for passengers travelling to and form Calcutta," said the businessman.
Sumona Sen, another traveller, said the Steel Express was a superfast train but its facilities weren't up to the mark. "Replacing them with LHB coaches is a welcome move," she added.
