Vande Bharat sleeper trains achieve peak speed of 180 km/hr during 3-day trial

The introduction of Vande Bharat sleeper trains marks a groundbreaking step forward for Indian Railways, extending the premium travel experience of Vande Bharat Express to passengers on long-distance routes.

Following the widespread acclaim for the chair car variant on short and medium-distance journeys, the sleeper version is now being tested to deliver a similar combination of speed, safety, and comfort for extended travel.

Trials conducted at speeds of up to 180 km/h mark a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian rail travel.

Successful tests in Rajasthan’s Kota Division have demonstrated the potential of these trains to revolutionise long-distance commuting.

The trails will continue till this month's end before this world-class travel for long-distance travel is made available to rail commuters across the nation.

Sharing a video of a successful trial in Kota Division, Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw on X mentioned the speed in his post.

In a social media video shared by Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, the train’s stability was highlighted by a remarkable demonstration: a full glass of water remained steady despite the train operating at its top speed.

These trains are currently undergoing rigorous trials under the supervision of RDSO and will require a final safety certification from the Railway Safety Commissioner before entering service.

On Thursday, during a 30 km long run between Kota & Laban in Bundi district of Rajasthan, the train reached a peak speed of 180 km/hour.

A day earlier, i.e. on the first day of 2025, in a 40 km long trial run between Rohal Khurd to Kota, Vande Bharat sleeper train touched the peak of 180 km per hour.

On the same day, peaks of 170 km/hr & 160km/hr were achieved on Kota-Nagda & Rohal Khurd-Chau Mahla sections.

These trials will continue for the month of January under the supervision of RDSO, Lucknow.

Once these trials are over, the train will be evaluated by the Railway Safety Commissioner at the maximum speed.

Only after passing the final stage, Vande Bharat trains will be officially certified & handed over to Indian Railways for induction and regular service.

Once operational, Vande Bharat sleeper trains will offer features such as automatic doors, ultra-comfortable sleeping berths, onboard WiFi, and a modern, aircraft-inspired design.

The real challenge for Railways was to add berths and test the trains for full passenger and luggage load conditions in order to convert them into Vande Bharat sleeper coaches while achieving the peak speed of 180 km/ hour.

With these successful trials, rail commuters can hope for world-class travel experience in long-distance travel like Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Delhi to Mumbai, Howrah to Chennai and many other routes.

They will benefit as travel time will come down considerably.

These trains are set to significantly enhance the travel experience on iconic routes, including Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Delhi to Mumbai, and Howrah to Chennai.

At present, India’s fastest long-distance trains, such as the Tejas Rajdhani Express, operate at a maximum speed of 140 km/h.

The Vande Bharat sleeper trains, with their ability to achieve higher speeds, will reduce travel times dramatically, offering passengers a faster, more luxurious, and more efficient mode of transportation.

Indian Railways is poised to usher in a new era of long-distance travel, blending speed, comfort, and cutting-edge amenities for commuters across the nation.