India’s first Vande Bharat Freight EMU has reached a speed of 130 kmph during trial runs on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central route, marking another step towards faster and more efficient rail-based logistics in the country.
The trial is being conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Mumbai Central section of Western Railway. The testing is aimed at evaluating the train’s performance, safety and operational capabilities before any potential commercial deployment.
Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), the 16-coach Vande Bharat Freight EMU has been designed specifically for the rapid movement of parcels and high-value goods. It is expected to cater to sectors such as e-commerce, courier services, electronics, pharmaceuticals and cold-chain logistics.
According to the Railways, the freight EMU is intended to offer a modern alternative to conventional freight trains, particularly for shipments that require faster, reliable and time-bound transportation.
Vande Bharat Freight EMU undergoes Ahmedabad-Mumbai trial
The Ahmedabad Railway Division said the Vande Bharat Freight EMU rake was prepared at the Inland Container Depot (ICD), Sabarmati, before departing Ahmedabad for Mumbai Central at around 9 am on September 12. The return trial from Mumbai Central to Ahmedabad was conducted on September 13.
During the trial, the rake operated with 50 per cent payload and an axle load of 20.32 tonnes. The daytime testing was carried out in accordance with the prescribed protocol while observing the permanent and temporary speed restrictions applicable to the route.
RDSO received technical and operational support from the Mechanical, Electrical, and Signal & Telecommunication departments of the Ahmedabad Division. Western Railway also made arrangements covering train fitness, crew, safety and operations.
The freight EMU had previously recorded a speed of around 145 kmph in an empty condition during trials in the Kota Division of West Central Railway. The train has a designed maximum speed of around 160 kmph.
Modern features for faster freight movement
The Vande Bharat Freight EMU comes with several features aimed at improving the speed, safety and efficiency of parcel transportation.
The 16-coach configuration includes refrigerated reefer vans and dedicated parcel coaches. Wide automatic doors are designed to speed up loading and unloading, while roller flooring allows easier pallet-based handling.
The train is also equipped with CCTV surveillance, fire detection systems, automatic door locking and advanced stability and safety systems designed for high-speed operations. It also incorporates Kavach, the Indian Railways’ automatic train protection system.
The Railways has clarified that the Vande Bharat Freight EMU is not intended to replace heavy freight trains operating on Dedicated Freight Corridors. Instead, it has been developed for smaller, high-value and time-sensitive cargo that can benefit from higher speeds on passenger railway routes.
Vande Bharat Freight EMU could strengthen express logistics
The ongoing trials will allow RDSO to collect detailed data on the train’s performance and safety. The findings will help determine the feasibility of introducing the freight EMU for commercial operations.
If introduced commercially, the service could give Indian Railways a faster and more reliable option for transporting time-sensitive goods, particularly when compared with conventional road-based logistics. The initiative could also strengthen railways’ role in India’s growing express logistics and e-commerce delivery market.
