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Vested interests trying to fail India's first engine-less train: Official
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IANS | 16 Nov, 2018
Vested interests are trying to "fail" India's first locomotive- less
train or Train 18, a top official said on Friday, adding there was
nothing to worry about the glitches that occurred during a trial run. "During
the low speed trials of Train 18, a power disarray was noticed -
technically called harmonics - which led to blowing up of fuses and
activation of safety (systems) at (electricity) sub-stations and
stalling of some locomotives in the section," S. Mani, General Manager
of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) that has manufactured the train, told
IANS. "Vested interests are trying to fail the train even before trials were completed," he added. Mani
said after the problem was resolved, "the locomotives were promptly put
back into service, the sub-stations were attended to and feedback was
given to the ICF". He said the onboard software for traction and regenerative braking were also tuned to eliminate harmonics. "This was all done within a day of reporting." On
October 29, the Rs 100 crore indigenously developed high-tech,
energy-efficient, self-propelled or engine-less train was flagged off
here by Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani. The train was later put through lowspeed trials to test its various systems. "The
train underwent the low-speed trials between ICF (Anna Nagar station)
and Villivakkam, a distance of 1 km. Such a short distance does not
permit higher speed build-up. However, many important systems were
tested such as operations of brakes, interaction of the pantograph with
overhead wire, familiarity of driver controls and high voltage tests to
the extent possible at a speed limit of 30 kmph," Mani said. According to the official, the high-tech train was despatched to Delhi for pre-trial checks on November 11. "The
train was hauled 'dead' by an additional locomotive since it was not
certified to run on its own power enroute. Certification to run on all
routes was given only after extensive trials. "The current
certificate is valid only for Moradabad-Bareilly and Kota-Sawai Madhopur
sections. However, during its travel from Chennai to Delhi at full
sectional speed all its mechanical systems such as wheels, springs,
pneumatic suspension and pneumatic brakes as well as its dynamics proved
themselves satisfactory," Mani added. Train 18 reached Delhi on November 13 and was showcased to the media at the Safdarjung Railway Station the next day. "The
interiors were kept locked since they were loaded with sand bags in
passenger areas to simulate passenger load. Also, due to its
instrumentation, it could not have been opened to a large number of
curious onlookers," Mani said. Talking about the speed trials,
Mani said medium speed trial of Train 18 will be conducted between
Moradabad and Bareilly over the next few weeks. "Vast
instrumentation has been provided on the train by Research Design and
Standards Organisation (RDSO) for this purpose. These tests will certify
that Train 18 is fit on all tracks of Indian Railways at a speed of 110
kmph," Mani remarked. High-speed trials will be conducted between Kota and Sawai Modhopur after the Moradabad trials. Train
18 is capable of touching 200 kmph provided that the rest of Indian
Railways' system such as tracks and signals permit, Mani said.
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