Western Railway Plans to Conduct Safety Trials for 18-Coach Suburban Trains

As per PTI report, Western Railway will reportedly conduct safety trials of 18-coach suburban local trains later this month.  

The trials are planned on the Virar–Dahanu Road section in Palghar district and are tentatively scheduled for January 14 and 15, 2026. This will be the 1st time 18-coach suburban rakes are tested on Mumbai’s local rail network. 

Mandatory Safety Tests to Be Conducted 

The trials will include Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) and Coupler Force (CF) tests, which are required before any new train formation can be considered for service.  

EBD tests measure how quickly a train can stop in an emergency situation. CF tests assess the stress experienced by couplers during braking. 

Details Of the Two Trial Rakes 

The two 18-coach rakes will be used for the exercise. One rake is fitted with electrical equipment supplied by Bombardier, while the other has systems from Medha Electrics. Both rakes are equipped with 3-phase propulsion systems.  

The Bombardier-equipped rake will be tested at speeds of up to 110 kmph, while the Medha-equipped rake will be tested at speeds of up to 105 kmph. 

RDSO Supervision and Preparations 

The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has instructed that the rakes be fully prepared and properly loaded during the trials.  

The coaches will be checked and upgraded where required to meet standards related to speed, stability and oscillation before the tests begin. The trials are for checking technical and safety compliance. 

Existing Suburban Train Operations 

Mumbai’s suburban railway system mainly operates 12-coach local trains, with a limited number of 15-coach services on both the Central and Western Railway networks.  

The suburban network carries over 75 lakh passengers daily and runs more than 3,000 services, according to railway data. 

No Immediate Operational Plan 

Railway officials said the trials are technical in nature and do not indicate the immediate introduction of 18-coach local services. The final configuration of suburban coaches is still being examined and no operational decision has been taken at this stage. 

Read More: Western Railway Opens Digital Lounge and Co-Working Space at Mumbai Central Station! 

Conclusion 

The outcome of the trials will determine compliance with braking and coupling norms. Decisions on future deployment will be taken after the assessment is completed. 

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