Indian Railways gives nod for high speed Talgo train trial on 2 routes

Indian Railway has given permission for the trial run of high speed Talgo trains on two routes, including Delhi-Mumbai section.

By: PTI | New Delhi | March 1, 2016 

The trains manufactured by Spanish firm Talgo will undertake trial runs at speeds between 160 and 200 kmph on the existing tracks on two routes — a route taken by Rajdhani Express and another non-Rajdhani route. (Representative photo – PTI)

Indian Railway has given permission for the trial run of high speed Talgo trains on two routes, including Delhi-Mumbai section.

The trains manufactured by Spanish firm Talgo will undertake trial runs at speeds between 160 and 200 kmph on the existing tracks on two routes — a route taken by Rajdhani Express and another non-Rajdhani route.

The Railway Board has given permission for trial on two routes and Talgo will conduct the time validation trial on Delhi-Mumbai corridor soon, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

While the Rajdhani route will be Delhi-Mumbai, non-Rajdhani route is yet to be decided.

Depending upon the results of the trial, the railways will consider introduction of high speed trains.

The Spanish train maker has offered to test run their lighter and faster trains free of cost.

“The permission letter to Talgo is being issued for importing the rake to India,” the official said.

The rake will be imported in knocked down condition and be assembled in India in May.

If the Talgo train runs at speeds varying between 160 and 200 kmph on the existing infrastructure without any upgrade, the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai is expected to be cut down to about 12 hours from the current 17 hours.

Besides reducing travel time, Talgo’s lighter trains consume 30 per cent less energy which will help railways reduce their power bill.

The official said barring minor changes, there will be no need for overhauling the tracks for the trial run.

Talgo trains are already running in several places in Asia and the US.