High-speed Spanish Talgo train hits the tracks

As of now, the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express runs at an average speed of 85 km per hour.

Image: The Spanish train Talgo arrives at Moradabad Railway Station during its first trial run between Bareilly and Moradabad. Photograph: PTI

The trial of Spanish train Talgo, the lighter and faster vehicle whose speed goes up to 115 kms per hour, was conducted between Bareilly and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh as part of the Railways’ strategy to increase the speed of trains.

“It was a smooth ride,” said a senior railway official after nine Talgo coaches were hauled by a 4,500 HP diesel engine on the 90-km line for the first trial run.

The train left Bareilly at 9.05 a.m., moved at a speed ranging between 80-115 km per hour, and reached Moradabad at 10.15 AM, the official said.

As of now, the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express runs at an average speed of 85 km per hour.

Besides reducing travel time, Talgo’s lighter trains consume 30 per cent less energy.

Image: A vendor walks near the Spanish train Talgo after it arrives at Moradabad Railway Station during its first trial run between Bareilly and Moradabad.
Photograph: PTI

The nine-coach Talgo train consists of two Executive Class cars, four Chair Cars, a cafeteria, a power car and a tail-end coach for staff and equipment.

Hamid Akhtar, executive director of Railways’ Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) who was on the Talgo train while on way back from Moradabad, said, “there will be three more such runs” before the success or failure could be assessed.

“It is difficult to say anything about the success or failure of the trial... We will record the timings and other parametres during the journey (in further runs)...The data will be analysed and then only we will be able to say anything. Nevertheless it was a smoth ride,” he said.

Besides the officials, the coaches were filled with sand bags. There will be trial with empty coaches as well.

After the trial run on the Bareilly-Moradabad line, it will be tried on Rajdhani route between Mathura and Palwal for 40 days with speed up to 180 km per hour.

Image: Passengers peep through the windows of the Spanish train Talgo at Bareilly Railway Station during its first trial run. Photograph: PTI

The Talgo train coaches are lightweight and designed in a way that it can run on curves without decelerating the speed, the official said.

Shipped from Barcelona, the Talgo aluminium coaches anchored at Mumbai port on April 21.

Talgo envisages the journey between Delhi and Mumbai can be completed in about 12 hours as compared to 17 hours at present.

The Railways has set up a Mobility Directorate to work on strategies to increase speed of trains.

Gatimaan Express - India’s first semi-high speed that clocks 160 kmph, was launched on the Delhi-Agra route last month.