WHAT HAS HAPPENED ?
Breaking records of bullet train, third trial of the semi-high speed train Vande Bharat completed its run successfully between Ahmedabad and Mumbai on Friday.
Vande Bharat zoomed from 0 to 100 kmph in just 52 seconds. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Indian Railways, said that it has received a green signal from the Railway Safety Commissioner.
"It is notable that the maximum speed of the third Vande Bharat is 180 km/hr. It reached 0-100 kmph in 52 seconds as compared to 55 seconds taken by the bullet train.
The first generation Vande Bharat trains reach 0-100 kmph in 54.6 seconds and have a maximum speed of 160 kmph," he added. The reduction in weight by 38 tonnes contributed to its faster acceleration.
How Maglev trains work
SC Maglev, or superconducting magnetic trains, were developed by the Central Japan Railway Company and the Railway Technical Research Institute beginning in the 1970s. Maglev trains work on the principle of magnetic repulsion between the cars and the track. The word maglev is actually a combination of the words "magnetic" and "levitation," The magnetic levitation, or floating of the train, is achieved through the use of an electrodynamic suspension system, or EDS.
The rails, or guideways, contain two sets of cross connected metal coils wound into a "figure eight" pattern to form electromagnets: On the train itself are superconducting electromagnets, called bogies. When stopped, the train rests on rubber wheels. To begin motion, the train moves forward slowly on these wheels, allowing the magnets beneath the train to interact with those of the guideway. Once the train reaches 150 kilometers per hour (53 miles per hour), the magnetic force is strong enough to lift the train 100 milimeters (4 inches) off the ground, eliminating friction to allow for increasingly high speeds The same magnetic forces that lift the train also move it forward and keep it centered within the guideway. This is the same technology used by Tesla's Hyperloop, which makes the ride smooth and the train exceptionally safe
ABOUT VANDE BHARAT
Vande Bharat is a semi-high speed trainset, each of 16 coaches, and self-propelled - they do not require an engine.
This is called a distributed traction power system, which is increasingly becoming the norm the world over for passenger operations.
Distributed power gives the train higher acceleration and deceleration compared to loco-hauled trains, which take a much longer time to reach top speed or to gradually come to a halt.
180 KMPH
Talking about the ministry's focus on not just producing trains but maintaining the tracks for running high-speed trains, the minister admired the new Vande Bharat express and said,
"We have shown that a fully loaded water glass has not shaken at the speed of 180kmph, but, it shook the world." The minister also informed that now since the trial run of Vande Bharat is completed, serial production of the rest 72 trains will start soon.
IMPROVED FEATURES
A press release by the Railways ministry said that the new Vande Bharat trains would be equipped with WI-FI, 32-inch LCD TVs, energy-efficient ACs with dust-free clean air cooling, and a side recliner seat facility for all classes which was earlier provided to just executive class passengers.
The improved features also include automatic fire sensors, CCTV cameras, three-hour battery backup, GPS systems, and a photocatalytic ultraviolet air purification system to filter and clean the air free from germs, bacteria, viruses, etc. fresh air and return air.
Trains running across the country like premium Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto, etc. will become a thing of the past as the Indian Railways has decided to phase out the premium trains, The Railways has made an ambitious roadmap to run semi-high speed trains (160-240 kmph) Vande Bharat and train sets. The Railways claims that in the next two years, semi-high speed trains between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata will start filling.
A senior Railway Ministry official said that the electricity, signaling system, track, rolling stock (engine-coach) of Indian Railways will need to be completely replaced to run semi-high speed trains.
To make rail travel fast, a comfortable and safe state-of-the-art technology in railroad facing and train operation will have to be implemented. He said ICF and LHB coaches have become old technology now.
40000 CRORE PROJECT
The government is going to invest more than 40,000 crore rupees on the project. 75 Vande Bharat will be ready on 15 August 2023.
The official said that the existing two Vande Bharat trains are running at a speed of 160 kmph while the new Vande Bharat train will run at a speed of 180 kmph.
After this, new versions of Vande Bharat with a maximum speed of 200, 220, 240 and 260 kmph will be made in a phased manner.
IMPROVED AMENITIES
With each new version, the speed, technical and rail passenger amenities of Vande Bharat trains will increase.
Work has started on several fronts for running the semi-high speed trains at a speed of 180-200 kmph on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai rail routes.
Upgradation of tracks on both the routes is being done, fast modes are being repaired and facing work is going on in populated areas. Apart from this, the bridges and culverts are being strengthened.
CAB SIGNALLING SYSTEM
In order to run semi-high speed trains, the Railways is implementing a Cab Signaling System instead of the old signaling system.
In this, the train driver does not need to see the signal on the side of the track. The signaling system of the railroad is available on the screen in the engine cab seeing which the drivers drive the train. Cab signaling is available in Kavach technology of the Railways.
Be aware that the Kavach technology employs automatic brakes when trains running at full speed come face to face.
The shield prevents a collision from the rear of the trains. The official said that Rs 10,000 crore has been approved for installation of Kavach technology on Delhi-Howrah and Delhi Mumbai rail routes. Tender is in final stage.
WORLD CLASS ELECTRIFICATION REQUIRED
World-class electrification is required to run high speed Vande Bharat trains. As semi-high speed Vande Bharat trains draw more power, the existing electrification of the Railways is not suitable and due to this complaints of tripping are being received frequently.
In view of this, the Railway Board has started the work of laying high capacity power lines (2 x 25) all over the Indian Railways which will provide sufficient power to trains running at a speed of 260 kmph in future.
