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.
