Pune: In a significant upgrade for passenger safety and comfort, six trains departing from Pune will soon feature modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches. This transition, slated to begin on November 5, will replace the older ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches, benefiting approximately 12,000 passengers.

The Railway Board's recent directive comes as part of the Ministry of Railways' initiative to enhance travel safety by phasing out ICF coaches in favor of the more advanced LHB coaches.

While the Pune division still utilizes ICF coaches for certain trains, this upgrade will initially impact six of the twelve trains currently operating with these older coaches.

ICF Coaches Overview

• Lifespan: 25 years

• Weight: 22 to 25 tons

Maintenance and repairs: 23 trains in Pune

• Trains with ICF coaches: 11

• Trains with LHB coaches: 12

• Daily passenger trains from Pune station: 151

Trains Receiving New Coaches

• Jhelum Express

• Azad Hind Express

• Ernakulam Express

• Darbhanga Express

• Ernakulam Superfast Express

• Danapur Express

Drawbacks of Old Coaches

• Heavier than LHB coaches, affecting speed

• Use of screw coupling, causing coaches to either pile up or scatter during accidents

Additional Trains Needing Upgrades

• Pune - Varanasi Gyan Ganga Express

• Pune - Gorakhpur Weekly Express

• Pune - Veraval Express

• Pune - Bhuj Express

• Pune - Ahmedabad Express

• Pune - Bhagat Ki Kothi Express

Adoption of Swiss Technology

Before independence, railway coaches were made of wood. In 1955, it was decided to use iron coaches instead.

Coach shells (prototypes) were imported from Switzerland, leading to the production of these coaches at the Integral Coach Factory near Chennai in 1962.