Vande Bharat sleeper, Amrit Bharat with AC coaches & more – what will train travel on Indian Railways look like in 2026?
Train travel in India is a vibe, with Indian Railways transporting millions of passengers. With the launch of the Vande Bharat Express trains a few years ago, Indian Railways has aimed to change the face of train travel, and several more new train projects are expected to deliver in 2026. While Vande Bharat – a chair car train set – has attempted to transform the day travel experience, there is growing demand for better and faster trains for overnight travel.In this regard, the Vande Bharat sleeper train project – launched a few years ago in the hope of rolling out an experience more premium than the Rajdhani Express trains – may prove to be a game changer. Simultaneously, Amrit Bharat Express and NaMo Bharat trains are expected to make travel more comfortable for the common man. India may also soon see its very own, indigenous bullet train. What trains can passengers look forward to in the coming years? What will be the features of these trains and rollout timelines? We explore:
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains
Over 200 Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to be rolled out in the coming years as Indian Railways looks to revamp long-distance train travel. Three major projects are currently in the works: BEML is manufacturing 10 Vande Bharat sleeper train sets with the help of ICF; Indo-Russian joint venture Kinet has been tasked with rolling out 10 train sets; and a Titagarh-BHEL consortium will make 80 Vande Bharat sleeper trains. Additionally, ICF is also looking to roll out its own version of the Vande Bharat sleeper train soon.The first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper train project awarded to BEML was originally supposed to be ready in the first half of 2024. Several deadlines have since then been missed. Two prototype rakes have been manufactured by BEML. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the Vande Bharat sleeper train requires ‘minor’ retrofitting. He believes that they will be launched in December.
Vande Bharat Sleeper
Sharing details about the Vande Bharat sleeper train projects, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) GM U Subba Rao told TOI, “Initially, we have given orders for 10 trains to BEML. The first prototype came out a few months back. We wanted some upgradations and improvements in the train so the second rake has come to us with the changes.” “We have already given BEML the go ahead for the other eight trains. The Railway Board will take the call on whether the two rakes will be launched together. From here on, BEML may manufacture one train a month,” he said.What are the expected features of the Vande Bharat sleeper train?
- The first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper train has 16 passenger coaches – this includes 11 AC 3 tier coaches, 4 AC 2 tier coaches, and one AC First class coach.
- The new train is capable of running at 160 kmph (testing speed 180 kmph) making it a semi-high speed train. However, most stretches on the Indian Railways network do not allow for such high train speeds.
- Taking inspiration from European trains, the Vande Bharat sleeper train will have cushioned berths with enhanced comfort. The upper berth access has been redesigned for easier climbing.
- The new train will have special night lights, integrated announcement systems with visual displays, CCTVs, and modular pantry units.
- The train will feature modern bio-vacuum toilets, similar to those is aircrafts. There will also be a toilet for disabled passengers, which will also have a baby care station. The AC First class will include shower facilities with hot water provision.
- The Vande Bharat sleeper train is equipped with the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system. Like the chair car versions, the sleeper variant makes use of regenerative braking technology for optimal energy usage.
- The coaches have automatic interconnecting doors. The gangways are sealed completely to maintain clean air and effective temperature control.
- Each coach has individual reading lights, charging points, refreshment tables, and GFRP panel interiors. The train doors open automatically at the designated station.
- The train has a Centralised Coach Monitoring System. Emergency communication systems connect passengers with the driver.
ICF too is looking to manufacture its own variant of the Vande Bharat sleeper. “We are working on a 24 car rake, which will be one of the longest sleeper trains being produced in India. We are working on the designs. It is slightly different from what BEML has produced, because we are trying to increase the number of toilets since it’s a long-distance train,” U Subba Rao said.
Vande Bharat Sleeper AC 1st
“We also plan to have a pantry car for food to be heated up and served, which is not available in the other version of Vande Bharat sleeper. So, the configuration is slightly different. We are also trying to improve upon the interiors…we are on the drawing board right now,” he added.So when does ICF plan to roll out its own version of the Vande Bharat sleeper train?“Major assemblies have been ordered. For example, the propulsion system has already been ordered, and other major assemblies like doors and brake systems, the tender is going to be floated anytime soon. Specifications have been kind of finalized. By December 2026 we are targeting that the prototype Vande Bharat sleeper rake should be ready,” he said.Meanwhile, Kinet recently unveiled the design of the First AC coach of the Vande Bharat sleeper train. The production is expected to begin at Indian Railways’ Latur factory soon.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Kinet design
Amrit Bharat Trains For Common Man
Even as it launches a premium long-distance train, Indian Railways is also looking to introduce more modern trains for the common man. Amrit Bharat trains, first launched in 2023-end will continue to be introduced in the coming years as well. ICF is already rolling out Amrit Bharat 2.0 trains with better comforts compared to the first prototypes.Amrit Bharat Express is a push-pull train with non-AC coaches with a mix of general and second-class sleeper coaches. With a faster acceleration and deceleration, thanks to its push-pull technology, the Amrit Bharat train has a maximum speed of 130 kmph. In the coming months an Amrit Bharat 3.0 train is expected to be rolled out with AC coaches as well.
Amrit Bharat Express
- Foldable Snack table, improved Seats & berths, streamlined-LED light fitting, Fans with sleek SS grills
- Air spring suspension bogies, Public Address & Passenger Information System (PAPIS), Mobile holder, Radium Illuminated flooring strip, Toilet Indication light
- 2 Indian & 2 Western style toilets in each coach with electro Pneumatic Pressurised Flushing system
- Aerosol-based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles, Foldable bottle holder, Sealed Gangway (Vestibule), Automatic-soap dispenser
- Mobile charging socket for each passenger, Improved interior panelling with Aluminium Composite Panels
- Semi-automatic couplers instead of semi-permanent for easy attachment and detachment
- Crashworthy features, Electro pneumatic assisted brake system for quick brake application
- Fully sealed gangway for quick coupling & decoupling, Vacuum evacuation system similar to Vande Bharat
- Best in class toilets for maintenance friendly & better aesthetics, Automatic hygiene odour control system in FRP Modular toilet
- External emergency lights to provide basic lighting during emergency situations, Charging sockets USB A & C type ports
ICF GM U Subba Rao told TOI that there is an order for 100 Amrit Bharat trains. “We have got an order for 50 Amrit Bharat 2.0 trains and 50 more trains will be manufactured by RCF,” he said. “We have already produced 10-12 trains. Two rakes a month, we are producing right now,” he added.Talking about AC coaches for Amrit Bharat Express, he said, “We are trying to introduce the Amrit Bharat 3.0 train as well. We have been asked to make five of those trains. We are working on the designs of the AC coaches. In this financial year, maybe by March 2026, we are trying to introduce the first prototype.”“The features will be similar to Rajdhani Express trains, but also much better because we also worked on non-AC coaches and made them better than the regular non-AC coaches. It’s an ongoing, continuous process,” he added.
NaMo Bharat trains, bullet trains & hydrogen
Several other projects that Indian Railways is working on include NaMo Bharat trains for short-distance inter-city travel, India’s own indigenous bullet train, and a hydrogen train which is a technology demonstrator project. NaMo Bharat trains, already launched on some routes, are a metro-style variant of the Vande Bharat Express trains, capable of 130 kmph speed.Some of the major features of NaMo Bharat trains are:
- Fully Air Conditioned train, Fully sealed wider gangway, Centrally Controlled Double leaf Automatic Plug Doors, Electro Pneumatic Braking and Regenerative Braking System
- 20.32 T axle Bolster less Bogie – Fully suspended Traction motor
- Passenger information & infotainment system, Disaster lights for lighting during power failures, Train Control & Monitoring system, Continuous LED lighting
- FRP Modular toilets with Vacuum Assisted Bio-toilet. PRM toilet in DTC, CCTV
- Emergency Talk Back Unit (ETBU), FRP Panelling with luggage rack
- Cushioned Bench Type Seats, Fire Detection and Suppression System, LED Route map indicator
“We have produced one NaMo Bharat train, one was produced by RCF, Both are, right now, already in service. The board has decided that RCF will produce the balance 50 trains. We have already done the designing, and the design was shared with RCF, and they also produced the same design, they will continue with the production,” said ICF GM.
NaMo Bharat train
Indian Railways has also manufactured its first hydrogen-cell powered train, which is expected to be launched soon on the Jind and Sonipat route in Haryana under the Northern Railway. The new train will have speeds of up to 110 kmph.Talking about the hydrogen train Subba Rao told TOI, “Basically this was a technology demonstrator. We tried to demonstrate the Indian capability of producing a hydrogen train. We will run it for some time and then maybe the government of India will take a call (on whether more such trains should be manufactured).”
Hydrogen train
“You know, hydrogen technology is totally new. It’s at an initial stage all over the world. So we are working on it. I’m sure it’ll be successful,” he said.India is also looking to manufacture its own bullet train and a project has been awarded to BEML, in collaboration with ICF for manufacturing two high-speed train sets. The train will be indigenously designed and manufactured. “High speed rail is being manufactured by BEML. We have given the order to BEML – ICF, NHRCL, and BEML are collaborating on that project. The preliminary designs are all ready. They are also finalizing the vendors for all the sub-assembles and all important components. Orders are also being placed,” Subba Rao shared. “The final designs will be done and once some components arrive the manufacturing of the prototype car body will start. By early 2027, the first train should be running,” he added. Talking about the India-specific features of the bullet train, the ICF GM said, “It will be an air-conditioned chair car train suited for Indian conditions. Tropicalization has to be done. That’s why designing the train within India is very important, since we know the conditions much better. In Europe, it is very cold, so they had to concentrate more on heating systems, whereas in India it is quite hot. So we have to concentrate on the AC system. So that’s one of the basic differences.”“The second difference is our country is quite dusty, so that aspect also has to be taken into account. The filters have to be much better so that the air quality inside the coach is acceptable,” he added.With Vande Bharat sleeper trains, newer versions of Amrit Bharat Express, NaMo Bharat, bullet trains, and hydrogen trains in the pipeline, passengers can hope for better travel experience in the coming years.
