Central Railway Automatic-Door Non-AC Local Sent to Chennai After Trial Issues
A proposed automatic-door, non-AC suburban train meant for Central Railway commuters has encountered technical hurdles during preliminary testing and will be sent to Chennai for modifications, officials said on August 28. One of the prototype rakes is currently stationed at the Kurla car shed in Mumbai, while the rake subjected to trials will undergo rectifications at the Integral Coach Factory.
The trial rake underwent a Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (CoCR) conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The test was carried out along the 63.27-kilometre Khajuraho-Mahoba section under the Jhansi division on the Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border, during which certain technical aspects requiring improvement were identified.
According to senior Central Railway officials, the tested rake will be transported to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai to carry out the required modifications. Railway authorities noted that if similar technical adjustments are found necessary on the rake stationed at the Kurla car shed, that unit may also be moved to Chennai.
The CoCR is a mandatory evaluation procedure used to assess a train's operational characteristics before clearance is granted for commuter services. The test evaluates vibration levels, vehicle movement, running stability, ride quality, and wheel-rail interaction across various speeds. The findings allow engineers to pinpoint mechanical and design corrections needed ahead of subsequent trial phases.
The non-AC local train was developed using the underlying design of an air-conditioned local, incorporating automatic sliding doors intended to enhance passenger safety across the suburban railway network. Officials clarified that the issues flagged during the CoCR do not constitute a final rejection of the train design.
Before entering regular passenger service, the modified rake must clear a full series of technical and safety evaluations. These include checks on braking and emergency braking systems, acceleration, suspension and bogie performance, electrical systems, and the functioning of the automatic doors. Further testing will be scheduled once the modifications at ICF Chennai are completed.
