First Look: Railways Rolls Out All-New Swanky AC 3-Tier Coaches With Massive Design Improvements

New Delhi: Indian Railways on Wednesday rolled out its first air conditioned three-tier economy class coach, being touted by the ministry as “the cheapest and best AC travel in the world”. These coaches, officials said, will be economical and in between the current AC three-tier and non-AC sleeper class. This LHB coach was rolled out from Rail Coach Factory (RCF) Kapurthala to Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) Lucknow for the upcoming trial. Also Read – IRCTC Latest News: Now Solar Energy to Power Railways Passenger Coaches | Details Here

It was conceived by RCF and work on its design started on war footing in October 2020. The new coach can carry more passengers as the berths have been increased from 72 to 83. Also Read – IRCTC Latest News: Railways Rolls Out First AC 3-tier Economy Class Coach | Latest Features Here

“Many innovations have been incorporated in the design of the coach. The high voltage electric switchgear presently installed on board has been shifted below the under frame, thereby increasing the passenger capacity by introducing 11 additional berths,” a statement from the ministry said. Also Read – IRCTC Launches Online Bus Ticket Booking Services | Details Here on How to Book Tickets

Each coach is provided with a wider and one disabled person-friendly toilet entry door, which is a new initiative, it said.

Several design improvements have also been made for improving passenger comfort like redesigning the AC ducting to provide individual vents for each berth, it said.

The coach also has improved and modular design of seats and berths, foldable snack tables in both longitudinal and transverse bays, injury free spaces and holders for water bottles, mobile phone and magazines, it said.

Indian Railways new AC 3-tier coaches

Individual reading lights and mobile charging points are provided for each berth in addition to the standard socket.

A new ergonomically improved design of ladder for accessing the middle and upper berths is also a new feature. There is an increased headroom in the middle and upper berths as well.

The design has been improved for both Indian and the Western style lavatories while public address and passenger information systems have been installed as part of passenger facilities, it said.

Indian Railways new AC 3-tier Coaches

Ambience and ease of access into coach has been improved by aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic entrance. The interior of the coach has luminescent aisle markers, illuminated berth indicators integral with night lights with luminescent berth numbers,” the statement said.

There is also improved fire safety by ensuring compliance to world benchmark of EN45545-2 HL3 for materials, thus meeting the high requirements of the new fire protection standard, it said.

The RCF has production plan of 248 such coaches during the current and next fiscal.

(With inputs from PTI)