New Vistadome Coaches

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) - the coach manufacturing unit located in Chennai has successfully completed the speed trials of the new design Vistadome tourist coaches with a speed potential of 180 kmph. These coaches mostly operate in mountain railways and are specially designed to make train journeys scenic and memorable. The ICF has manufactured 10 such coaches at present. Two coaches have been rolled out and the remaining will be finished before March 31, 2021. The two coaches which were rolled out have gone to the Central Railway one of which has cleared the speed trials. The older version of the Vistadome coaches mostly run in tourist locations where visitors can indulge in sightseeing.

Key features of vistadome coaches
The vistadome tourist coaches are European-style coaches with technologically-advanced features for improving passengers comfort and offer a panoramic view during the train journey. The coaches have a larger viewing area including rooftop glass and 44 seats for passengers that can rotate up to 180 degrees. Coaches are equipped with Wi-Fi based passenger information systems and for the first time the Vistadome coach has been built on the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rake.

Among other stand-out features of the new vistadome coaches are that they are furnished with air-spring suspension in secondary stage for better ride comfort, large glass windows and a transparent glass roof for the passengers and observatory lounge with a larger window at one end.

The newly built coaches have a mobile charging socket for each passenger below the seat armrest, an entertainment system integrated with digital display screens and speakers for music lovers. Additionally it has wider entrance doors for persons with disabilities (PwD) on wheelchairs and automatic sliding doors at the compartment's entry on both sides.

Also read: Kalka Shimla Vistadome Coach

The coaches are connected with GPS-based Public Address-cum Passenger Information System (PAPIS), sunk-in type LED destination board, stainless steel multi-tier luggage racks outside the passenger area, mini pantry to provide refreshments, service area consisting of hot case, microwave oven, coffee maker, bottle cooler, refrigerator and washbasin. The new coaches are also equipped with a CCTV system for onboard surveillance and have aesthetically designed interiors. The Vistadome coaches will be made available only at tourist locations where passengers want to enjoy sightseeing.

Some of the routes where these coaches are operated by the Indian Railways are Dadar and Madgaon, Araku Valley, Kashmir Valley, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (train no. 52594/95 Darjeeling Ghoom Darjeeling Joyride Steam), Kalka Shimla Railway (train no. 04515/16 Kalka Shimla Festival Special), Kangra Valley Railway, Matheran Hill Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway (train no. 02671/72 Nilgiri (Blue Mountain) COVID 19 Special).

Also read: Top Train Journeys

During the last few years Indian Railways has taken huge steps to add its muscle to the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Mission. Extra ordinary results are now getting visible on all the fronts especially the quality of engines, coaches, tracks and signalling systems.

All these go a long way to make transformational changes in the quality travelling experience of the citizens of the country. What are your views on the newly developed vistadome tourist coaches? Tell us in the comments below. That’s all for today! Download Trainman App and know the latest news related to Indian Railways and COVID-19 virus. You can also check PNR Status of the booked ticket, Seat Availability in Covid special trains, Running Status and much more.