Enjoy double-decker train ride to Chennai
Bangalore, Feb 25 (DHNS): South India’s first double-decker AC train - between Bangalore and Chennai - is likely to be commissioned in about a month.
The official date of commissioning the train with a journey time of six hours is yet to be decided. The train arrived at Bangalore on Sunday afternoon, completing a successful test run from Chennai, where it originated.
Once commissioned, the train will bring the much-needed respite to passengers scouting bus stations to travel to Chennai, despite the Indian Railways operating seven exclusive trains between the two cities.
Stating that there is a huge demand for trains from Bangalore to Chennai and vice versa, a Railways official said: “The double-decker train will offer at least 40-per cent more accommodation compared to conventional trains as it has a capacity of 120 seats per chair car as against 78 seats on the Shatabdi and 72 on the Brindavan Express.”
He added that the train, with 11 air-conditioned chair car coaches, would be able to accommodate around 1,320 passengers at a time and the fares are likely to be the same as or, slightly higher than that of the Brindavan Express.
An adult ticket for the Brindavan Express costs about Rs 440, while children can travel at Rs 250. For a senior male citizen, the fare is Rs 290, while it is Rs 250 for a senior female citizen.
The train, although termed a double-decker, will, in fact have three floors—one at the platform entry level, lower deck and upper deck with seating capacities of 22, 48 and 50 respectively.
The coaches, an official said, are fitted with semi-reclining cushion seats and have power outlets.
The other features on the train will include controlled discharge of toilet system that discharges waste only on attaining 45 kmph speed, GPS-based passenger information system providing real-time running position, train speed and distance to the next station.
The timings for the said train (Chennai-Bangalore-Chennai) have already been announced by the Indian Railways. The Double Decker AC train (No 22625) will be leaving Chennai at 7:25 am to reach Bangalore City at 1:20 pm and Train No 22626 will leave Bangalore at 2:40 pm to reach Chennai at 8:40 pm.
“The train will halt at Perambur, Arakkonam, Katpadi, Ambur, Jolarpettai, Bangarpet, Krishnarajapuram and Bangalore Cantonment,” another official said.
Although the commissioning of the train was announced in the 2012-13 Railway Budget, the service will not be commissioned before the 2013-14 Railway budget is presented.
While a regular electrical locomotive is put to haul the coaches, the specially designed and manufactured coaches arrived in Chennai just a few days ago from the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurtala.
Speaking about Sunday’s test run, an official of the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow, which is in-charge of conducting such runs, said that there was absolutely no problem, barring a minor glitch while entering the Jolarpettai station.
He said that the thermocol pasted outside one of the coaches brushed against the edge of the platform at the entry and that the problem can be addressed by smooth finishing of the platform corner by an inch or so. The train left Chennai after the departure of Brindavan Express, around 8 am and reached Bangalore City Station at 3:15 pm.
Double the fun
* Scheduled to run daily
between Bangalore and Chennai 30 minutes before Brindavan Express
* With the ability to travel at a maximum of 110 kmph, the journey hours would be around six hours with nine stops
* Coach height 4,366 mm and width 3,050 mm as against normal coach height of 4,025 mm and width of 3,240 mm
* Comprises 11 AC chair cars (coaches) each with 120 seats
Comment on this article
Prashanth, Mangalore
Tue, Feb 26 2013Being Karnataka's capital, Bangalore is more depends on Tamilnadu, like Mangalore on Kerala. Some old trains which are running to north india from Bangalore are going southwards (Tamilnadu) and then goes to north. Its bad fate of Kannadigas
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Abdul Razak, Mangalore
Mon, Feb 25 2013I think the Konkan Railway tracks was built to take speeds of 140 kms / hr.
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V D K, Mangalore / Dubai
Mon, Feb 25 2013What an idea sir ji!!To avoid the scene of chennai...ontrack mobile toilets..in the mornings!!!!wah..
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Aubb, Kuwait
Mon, Feb 25 2013When will the Indian trains stop discharging sewage on railway tracks and stop the environmental hazard facing the entire nation.........??
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G R PRABHU, BEJAI ,MANGALORE
Mon, Feb 25 2013I have seen Passengers are siting on the roof the train in North India. If this Train Introduced in North India they may call it as Triple-Decker.
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Pinto, Mangalore
Mon, Feb 25 2013Dear Ted mangalore,
Those high speed trains cant be used in a place where cattle, humans and landslides and all such obstacles are on the tracks. In many places of India people depend on the railway lines for their morning rituals. Such ppl before they turn their head and hear the train will be flushed out of the tracks by the high speeds. Now the procedure is after they hear the train, they slowly wash, dress up and go back home or relocate onto the next track.!
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Mahesh, Mangalore
Mon, Feb 25 2013I cannot sleep in that train because of high speed. In dream I may go to heaven directly instead of reaching the destination. The destination may up, so be careful always when you go by train.
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John Carlo, Loretto/Mangalore/Muscat
Mon, Feb 25 2013Dear Ted, Forget about high speed trains in India. Are you planning to reduce Indian population? With a speed of 100kms we have derailments,accidents, etc. 350km speed train in India? I can't even imagine!!
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Karan, Katapadi/Dubai
Mon, Feb 25 2013This is appreciated. But most important - we need well maintained (Clean, Hygienic and safe) trains. Now look at china they have high speed trains already and we are yet to think about it.. its still dream for Indians.
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V D K, Mangalore / Dubai
Mon, Feb 25 2013haha Ted!!
Good morning ...wake up...!
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Ted, Mangalore
Mon, Feb 25 2013Indian Railways should focus on security and hygiene on Indian Trains.
We need high speed trains like the ones plying on Beijing- Shanghai and Shanghai- Guangzhou with an average speed of 350 Kmph
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Kevin, Mangalore
Mon, Feb 25 2013Yet another proud moment for Indian Railways
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Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai
Mon, Feb 25 2013Our Country's Trade deficit and economy is severely affected for ever growing CRUDE imports.
It is high time for laying DOUBLE RAILWAY LINE en-route Mangalore - Mumbai.
Govt. should prioritize NEW Railway lines, in routes where vehicular traffic is high.
It will help Railway & Fund managers to achieve quick break even, and Country to reduce growing dependency on crude oil, and reduce trade deficit.
Our currency will also become stronger.
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Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru
Mon, Feb 25 2013What to enjoy? It is only for Bangalore and Chennai people.
We will enjoy if one more SINGLE DECKER train runs between Bangalore and Karwar. Double Decker train is a distance dream for us.
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