Railway Board requires design tweaks in Vande Bharat sleeper trains

The Railway Board has directed its Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) to implement just a few particular design rectifications within the new 16-car Vande Bharat sleeper trains earlier than they’re commissioned for passenger service.

This directive follows intensive trial runs performed by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on the brand new practice units, that are designed to function at a most velocity of 160 kmph. These trains are geared up with the indigenous computerized practice safety system — Kavach 4.0. The Railway Board has emphasised that the motive force’s cab have to be locked from the within throughout operation to forestall unauthorized entry.

It has additionally mandated compliance with a number of key security measures, together with security integrity degree (SIL) certification for all important security elements, notably these associated to fireplace security. Fire suppression programs have to be put in in all cubicles and panels which can be weak to fireplace hazards, equivalent to these brought on by quick circuits. Additionally, points associated to furnishing and workmanship — equivalent to sharp edges and corners in berthing areas, window curtain handles, and pigeon pockets between berth connectors that pose cleansing challenges — have been recognized and have to be addressed.

Officials have been instructed to implement corrective measures within the present rake and incorporate essential design enhancements in future rakes. Staff should even be educated to deal with points equivalent to faulty doorways, deflated springs, or communication failures, which might necessitate the withdrawal of a rake from service. Redundancy have to be ensured for all important programs, together with communication, electrical, mechanical, and the fireplace detection and suppression system (FDSS), to ensure fail-safe operation.

Train crews have been instructed to be able to uncoupling the semi-permanent coupler inside quarter-hour in case of an emergency. The essential instruments for this operation have to be included within the driver/guard toolkit. Reliable communication programs have to be supplied within the cab to facilitate coordination between the loco pilot, practice supervisor, and the closest station grasp.

Stainless metal elements equivalent to auxiliary reservoirs, brake cylinders, and compressors ought to be color-coded for straightforward identification by upkeep personnel. A educated technical group have to be obtainable to deal with en-route technical points and emergencies.

The public tackle system ought to make common bulletins instructing all non-passengers to disembark earlier than the practice’s departure. Additionally, pre-recorded security bulletins in three languages — regional, Hindi, and English — ought to be performed in the course of the journey to teach passengers on security protocols.