This Indian train runs without an engine, faster than Shatabdi, Rajdhani Express, the train is…, it runs between…

The Vande Bharat Express train, earlier known as Train 18, is India's first engineless train as it does not have an engine like a traditional train.

Vande Bharat Express Train: When we think of trains, the image of a heavy, smoke-emitting engine chugging along the train tracks often comes to mind. But did you know that India has an engineless train which emits zero smoke and is faster than popular trains such as the Rajdhani and the Shatabdi Express?

India’s first engineless train

The train we are talking about is none other than the highly popular Vande Bharat Express, earlier known as Train 18. Launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government under its ambitious ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Vande Bharat Express entered commercial service on February 15, 2019, and has rapidly gained popularity, which can be gauged from the fact that every state wants this modern train.

Designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the Vande Bharat Express train does not have an engine like a traditional train. Instead the Vande Bharat Express trainsets consist of self-propelling Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) with eight, sixteen or twenty coaches.

The Vande Bharat Express has an an integrated engine akin to a bullet or metro train, which is attached to the individual coaches.

Vande Bharat Express speed

During its trial run, the Vande Bharat Express hit speeds of up to 183 kmph, but the maximum operational speed is 160 kmph, which is achieved by the Rani Kamalapati (Habibganj)–Hazrat Nizamuddin Vande Bharat Express and Hazrat Nizamuddin-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express on the Tughlakabad–Agra section.

The Vande Bharat Express has the highest operational speed on the Indian Railways network, a distinction it shares with the Gatimaan Express which runs over the same section as above.

Why Vande Bharat is faster than most trains?

The absence of a dedicated single engine in the traditional sense is what makes the Vande Bharat Express train faster than other high-speed trains like the Rajdhani or the Shatabdi Express.

Vande Bharat Express train

The semi-high speed medium-distance Vande Bharat Express trains have revolutionized train travel in India since their commercial launch on February 15, 2019. The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express trains provide unrivalled comfort and security to travelers, connecting various busy hubs in the country in a seamless manner.

The Vande Bharat Express, which have an operational speed of up to 130 km per hour, are designed for comfort and efficiency, and boast modern amenities like automatic sliding doors and CCTV cameras for added security.