ANI
29 May 2023, 23:57 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Rail Coach Factory in Punjab's Kapurthala has manufactured new rolling stock for the 120-year-old Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR), which uses a 762mm gauge track.
This project posed significant challenges as enumerated, such as there was no digital data, in Indian Railways, for modelling of narrow-gauge tracks for development and verification of the design.
It is pertinent to note that KSR used coach designs that have been developed around 1908 and were initially manufactured by Moghalpura Workshop, which is now a part of Pakistan Railway. Therefore, there is no availability of design assumptions, limitations and procedures for verification and validation of the design.
Notwithstanding these limitations, the RCF Design team worked out an alternative strategy to recreate the required design inputs using the experience garnered over years of developing rolling stock designs for the IR Broad Gauge system. This resulted in the development of a totally new design platform for the NG rolling stock. A humongous activity was planned and executed to create 3D models using the old blueprints and sketches available at the Kalka workshop.
These models were then used as the baseline for the development of the new designs for modification of the bogies and the development of all new shell superstructure and furnishing designs.
Railway Board granted the final approval of the proposed design in Feb 2022 with the allotment of traffic codes as ZFCZAC (First Class Airconditioned Chair Car), ZCZAC (Airconditioned Chair Car), ZGS(Non-AC Chair Car) and the ZLRM (Power, Luggage and Guard Car).
The green signal by Board allowed RCF to move the project into the product realization phase which resulted in the manufacturing of 2 prototype shells in Sep 2022, which were rigorously tested by RDSO in Oct 2022 for static stress analysis. This analysis determines the levels of stress and deflection in the coach shells under normal conditions and overload conditions.
In December 2022, 2 semi-furnished shells (ZCZACZLRM) were transported by road to KLK and lowered on bogies manufactured by KLKW. These 2 new coaches were coupled with the existing 2 coaches of the older design and tested multiple times on the section between KLK and SML in trial runs. During these runs, the coaches were tested at speeds higher than the present sectional speed to determine the stability and ride quality.
After successfully testing the shells under static and dynamic conditions, RCF has now developed the interiors to suit the new design. The prototypes of the fully furnished coaches are being unveiled today. These coaches shall be transported to Kalka for extensive oscillation trials and based on the outcome, shall be planned to be put into commercial service.
In this project, Innovative Design Features introduced by RCF, i.e., Car BodySystems, 415V AC/110V DC EOG system with both engine and batteries located in Luggage Car.
Also, common shell designs for all classes of passenger coaches except for luggage Car.
The air brake system of the existing design but with brake cylinders on each bogie.
Panoramic windows in all classes with Board approved exterior colour scheme.
The coach is designed with Noise and vibration proofing, Anti UV coated window glasses, Bio/Vac Toilets, power windows in upper classes, Darkening Vista glass in Upper classes, Slide window in 2nd class, Powered doors, Heating/cooling package AC, Linear concealed fans, Linear LED lights.
Also, Modular seating rail-mounted seats with flip backs, restaurant seating with luxury seats for the Executive, Onboard Mini pantry and Luggage Bins, Intercar gangway (Vestibule), and Aircraft type seat mounting rails allow easy reconfiguration of the interiors from Executive to Standard AC chair car and vice-versa included in newly designed coaches. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
GENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON, UK - Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe the direct-action group Palestine Action as a terrorist...
DHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama is set to address a significant three-day conference of Buddhist leaders this week, coinciding with...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a significant ruling last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for users...
ISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
GOP leaders are determined to advance Trump's signature agenda. But the bill's complexity, internal party fractures and Democratic...
Scientists have widely agreed that the persistent rise in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution is the primary driver...
The Packers are building their best 70-man roster, not just the 53 Wes Hodkiewicz Al from Green Bay, WI Happy Independence Day,...
Emanuel Wilson has proven to be more than just a feel-good undrafted story Wes Hodkiewicz Jeffery from Monticello, WI Hello Wes,...
The winning caption idea will be turned into a gameday sign for fans to use at Lambeau Field; contest winner to receive a trip to a...
Michael Hull Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. Next up, the...