Chennai: The Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail, a star among trains plying through Kerala, will soon be operating with the modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches.
The work on replacing all old coaches of 12624/12623 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central Superfast Express with LHB coaches is nearing completion, according to sources in the Southern Railway. The trains will start operating with new coaches on January 18 and 19 respectively.
At present, the only train in the sector equipped with LBS coaches is the 12685/12686 Chennai-Mangalore-Chennai Superfast Express.
The Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Mail would comprise one First Class AC-cum Second Class AC LHB coach, two 2 tier AC LHB coaches, four 3 tier AC LHB coaches, 11 Sleeper Class LHB coaches, three Second Class general LHB coaches.
Currently, the train operates with conventional air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory.
LHB coaches developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany are produced in India by the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala.
Compared to the Rs 1.5 crore required to manufacture a conventional coach, each LHB coach, made of stainless steel, will cost the railways around Rs 2.5 crore. A highly efficient braking system, advanced interior facilities, modern air-conditioning system, and an improved suspension mechanism are the key features of the LHB coaches.