Talgo’s coaches, filled to capacity, will be tested at a speed of 180 kmph between Indian Railways’ Mathura to Palwal stretch, as early as July 21. Sources told FE Online that the coaches are likely to be tested at that speed on July 21 or July 22, not withstanding any last minute changes.
Talgo, the Spanish company that manufactures high-speed trains, has given its coaches for trial to the Indian Railways, claiming that they can attain high speeds using Indian engines on the existing tracks.
Also read: Delhi to Mumbai in less than 12 hours? 3 tests for Talgo
Last week, the nine-coach train had broken the record of Shatabdi, Gatimaan and Rajdhani, when it successfully hit the 180 kmph mark with its coaches empty. Starting July 16, the train had been filled to its capacity and had clocked a speed of 130 kmph. The idea is to gradually increase the speed to test whether the coaches perform within set parameters.
Watch: Details of Talgo’s high-speed train trials in India
Talgo’s high-speed trials began on July 9 and several rounds of tests are going to be conducted before any decision on the use and suitability of these coaches for Indian Railways can be taken.
Indian Railways’ Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) is conducting the three-phase trials of Talgo’s coaches. While the first stage of trials has been completed, the second is underway, and the third is expected to start from the first week of August.
Talgo formally approached the Suresh Prabhu-led Indian Railways with its proposal in July 2015. According to the company, its coaches weigh much less than an average Indian Railways coach. This, the company claims will help it run trains at a higher speed on the existing Indian tracks.
