New rake being tested in Punjab

A new double-decker train rake intended for the Tirupati–Visakhapatnam route is undergoing trials at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab.

The replacement comes after passengers raised complaints about the condition of the existing train, whose coaches had reportedly become old and rusted.

Existing train gradually lost its double-decker coaches

The original nine-coach double-decker train had a passenger capacity of 720. Over time, the condition of its coaches deteriorated, prompting the Railways to replace them one by one with conventional air-conditioned coaches.

As a result, the train currently operates with only two double-decker coaches and seven regular AC coaches.

Journey between Tirupati and Visakhapatnam

The double-decker service was originally built in 2011 and introduced in 2012 on the Tirupati–Hyderabad route. Due to low passenger patronage, it was subsequently operated on other routes, including Kurnool–Hyderabad and Tirupati–Vijayawada.

It was moved to the Tirupati–Visakhapatnam route on December 31, 2016.

According to the currently published schedule, the train departs Tirupati at 9:50 PM on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, reaching Visakhapatnam at 10:40 AM the following day.

In the return direction, it leaves Visakhapatnam at 11 PM on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and reaches Tirupati at 12:30 PM the next day.

Replacement aims to improve passenger experience

The new rake is being prepared to replace the ageing coaches and improve the travel experience on this important intercity route.

However, the Railways has not yet announced an official date for introducing the replacement train into regular passenger service. Its availability will depend on the completion of trials and the necessary railway approvals.