Indian Railways first semi-high speed engine-less train, Train 18, which can run at 160 kmph, has started its journey from Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai to Delhi on Saturday. After passing through Nagpur Railway junction today, it is expected to reach Delhi by tomorrow, and from there it will be sent to Moradabad Railways zone, where it would be further tested on 100 km track between Moradabad to Saharanpur for minute technical examination. However, even though you may have been thrilled by the sight of the train today, there is no chance that you will get to ride it anytime soon. Why? Because it has to go through extensive trial period that will last for weeks, if not months.
 
Notably, Train 18 is under the observation of Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) officials, therefore, they will examine it extensively for speed and other factors. The new semi highspeed train has generated a lot of interest even before its launch. It is said to be Indian Railways' first world-class ‘Make in India’ train. 
 
Indian Railways latest project, codenamed Train 18, is considered to be a technological leap, a breakthrough. The metro-like train is an engine-less train and will reportedly replace Shatabdi Express train on the Delhi-Bhopal route from January 2019. It is said to be capable of travelling at speeds in excess of 160 kmph (currently, Gatiman Express is the only train that has the capacity to travel at 160 kmh). 
 
The tests for this high speed train will be carried out on Delhi-Mathura-Palwal route because another highspeed train, Gatimaan Express, is already running on this track.  
 
After having all the technical updates on Train 18, the commissioner, Railway Safety will be apprised for his final nod to run this latest Make India train. 
 
According to reports, it will be an all air-conditioned chair car train with 16 coaches comprising executive and non-executive class. Unlike conventional Indian Railways trains that are pulled by locomotives, the new train will derive its power from its under-slung self-propulsion units. 
 
Train 18 will boast of many features including an automatic doors with sliding footsteps, fully sealed gangways for easy movement, continuous windows, personalised reading lights, comfortable world-class seats and mini pantry with better equipment.