The Rail Coach factory (RCF) in Kapurthala has rolled out 40 coaches of the ambitious Duronto or “non-stop” trains, announced by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee in her budget speech this year.

RCF general manager Pardeep Kumar said manufacture of Duronto coaches is quite prestigious for RCF. Duronto coaches are 1.5 tonnes lighter and two metres longer than conventional coaches. These are low-cost, stainless steel coaches having several superior features, including control discharge toilet system, 12 per cent enhanced passenger carrying capacity, superior thermal and sound insulation and centre buffer coupler to run longer trains. These coaches are fitted with air springs in lieu of coil springs, which provide better riding quality even at higher speeds,” he added.

For safety of passengers, auto-closing, sliding type, end wall vestibule doors have been provided to prevent spread of fire from one coach to another in case of a fire, said the GM. The furnishing material used in the coaches, including LP panels, FRP windows, rexine and PVC, have fire-retardant characteristics. RCF has also developed a new design pantry car for the Duronto trains that has more storage capacity. Presently, AC coaches of these trains will have conventional furnishing, but they will be upgraded to Rajdhani standards, added Kumar.

The 12 new non-stop fast trains announced by the railways minister between select cities will take less time than even the Rajdhani Express to complete their journey. These trains, unlike the Rajdhani Express, will have no intermediate stoppages and run in much the same speed clocked by Rajdhani.

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