Mumbai gets first non-AC door closing local train with enhanced features

More legroom has been provided between seats; The train is split into units of six, each with vestibules; Louvred doors allow air movement.

The non-AC, door-closing train arrived in Mumbai on Monday with a number of features. A first-hand look by mid-day at the Kurla car shed revealed that the train has managed to maintain all its segregated compartments, has larger windows, forced ventilation, more leg space, and above all, bigger luggage compartments.

The train, split into units of six, each with vestibules, has internal partitions to separate ladies, first class and other compartments. It has coaches meant for the disabled as well. The rake, numbered 268201-268212, is the very first such train on Indian Railways.

Windows on the new train are more than double the size of those on current trains

1900mm
Size of windows in new train

900mm
Size of windows in current non-AC trains

The large luggage compartment in the new train. Pics/Rajendra B Aklekar

Possible issues

Coach alignments might differ from existing norms due to the technical layout of the train, which might lead to a passenger scramble at the last minute. Also there are concerns that the door opening and closing might delay existing trains.

Train trials

The train has been numbered and categorised as a new category of train, which means it will have to undergo mandatory trials before passenger use, which will take a few months to complete.

Key differences

. The coach is built on an AC EMU shell, but maintaining the various classes of first class (with cushion seats), ladies, the disabled one, and others. Hence though vestibuled, it has physical partitions to segregate these coaches.
. The windows are wider at 1900 mm, with sliding glass panels like buses as compared to the 900 mm windows in existing trains.
. The blowers are powerful, forcing 10,000 cubic metres/hour air into the coach, with two such units in every coach.
. The leg space between the two seats has been increased for comfortable seating and wider gangway.
. The luggage compartment at either ends of the train is two times larger than the existing ones.
. The doors have been shut and along with glass panels on the top, to improve air circulation, these coaches feature louvred (slatted) doors that allow air movement while keeping doors closed for safety.