AC double decker trains likely this year

Air-conditioned double decker railway coaches are likely to be introduced into the network during the current financial year.

"The AC double decker coaches are likely to be available for trains to be introduced during 2010-11," said Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa.

The Railways have already announced earlier that such type of coaches would be introduced in trains like Yuva express.

The Minister said the coach layout drawings and design details for the air conditioned double decker coach has already been finalised by Research, Design and Standards Organisation.

The design organisation of Railway Coach Factory, Kapurthala has also supplemented efforts in designing it. The Minister said the manufacture of the prototype coach shell is completed and is presently undergoing tests for validation of the structural design parameters.

The coach would also be put to detailed 'oscillation trials' for track worthiness, he added. Muniyappa, to a different question, said efforts are on for production of local passenger coaches with toilet facilities.

He said production of diesel electric multiple unit coaches with toilet facilities have commenced in 2009-10 and regular production of mainline electric multiple unit coaches with toilet facilities will start in 2010-11.