Archana Exp to run with LHB coaches

Patna: Railways has decided to run Archana Express (12355-12356) between Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Jammu Tawi with Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) coaches from September 10 to improve passengers’ comfort and increase the load combination. The train has received a good response from passengers visiting Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu & Kashmir.
According to East Central Railway (ECR) CPRO Arvind Rajak, the load combination of this train will now be of 22 coaches, including two 2AC, three 3AC, 11 sleeper and three general coaches.However, the number of 3AC coaches will increase to four from September 18, he said, adding that passengers had been demanding an increase in AC3 coaches in this train.
Railways has decided to introduce LHB coaches in all mail and express trains in the country in phased manner. The LHB coaches are based on the German technology, ensuring foolproof safety and comforts for passengers. LHB coaches are being used in Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto and Sampoorna Kranti Express, he said.
Sources said railways would manufacture about 3500 coaches, out of which 500 would be LHB coaches, in the current fiscal. While a conventional coach costs about Rs 1.5 crore, an LHB coach costs about Rs 2.5 crore. The LHB coaches are anti-telescopic and they are equipped with fire retardant and advanced couplers to join coaches, sources said.
As LHB coaches are anti-telescopic, they cannot turn turtle in case of derailment or collision. In case of fire, there is no toxic fume and black smoke inside these coaches, sources said, adding that railways has decided to opt for LHB coaches in all mail and express trains to provide more comforts to passengers, said a Railway Board official.
According to sources, trains with LHB coaches are fit to run at the maximum speed of 160km/hour on the existing track condition on the Patna-New Delhi, Patna-Mumbai and Patna-Howrah tracks.