UDAY Express: Indian Railways new luxury double-decker train is ready

Mangalore Today News Network

UDAY Express ready for roll-out! Indian Railways is all set to roll out its second UDAY Express of Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri service. The “luxury” double-decker chair car service, aimed at business travellers, has several comforts like on-board mini pantry and automatic food vending machine. Manufactured by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurtala, the UDAY Express train is ready but will only be launched after Lok Sabha elections 2019 owing to the Model Code of Conduct. The first UDAY Express train was launched last year between Bengaluru and Coimbatore. The route for the second UDAY Express has not been announced yet. Financial Express Online brings you an exclusive preview of the double-decker Indian Railways train.

 

The new UDAY Express double-decker train has six AC chair car coaches with a seating capacity of 120 each. Additionally, there are three AC Chair Cars with a mini pantry and seating area. These coaches can seat up to 104 passengers. Two power cars for the UDAY Express train are also ready. The Bengaluru-Coimbatore UDAY Express became the first train on the Indian Railways with an automatic food vending machine operated by a tablet. The new double-decker train will also have a food and tea/coffee vending machine in each mini pantry. RCF Kapurthala has also fitted an LED screen in the pantry and dining area for the entertainment of passengers.

The seats are similar to those in the Shatabdi Express trains, but with a red colour scheme this time. The interior panelling of the coaches has colourful anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping. Each coach has LCD screens to provide passenger information such as the next station, average speed etc. The exterior of the new UDAY Express train is similar to the first one, with a Tejas Express like orange and yellow colour scheme. Adding to the comfort of the passengers, RCF has used an air suspension system with multiple shock absorbers to ensure a smooth ride for passengers. Some of the salient features of the new UDAY Express train:

1. Colourful vinyl-wrapped exterior
2. Comfortable Shatabdi-style seats
3. LCD screens for passenger information
4. Modular bio-toilets with soap dispensers
5. Wash basin and large mirror in lavatory area
6. Smoke detection alarm system
7. Pantry and dining area in every third coach
8. Automatic food and tea/coffee vending machine

Incidentally, the first double-decker train of Indian Railways was also manufactured by RCF, Kapurthala. The Bengaluru-Coimbatore Express was introduced by completely refurbishing a double-decker coach train. The second UDAY Express, however, has been manufactured from scratch. RCF, Kapurthala is the only rail coach factory of the national transporter which has successfully rolled out all new branded offerings such as Tejas Express, Humsafar Express, Antyodaya Express, Deen Dayalu coaches and now UDAY Express.