Even as Indian Railways is testing the spectacular new indigenously-built state-of-the-art Train 18, some miscreants have broken one of its windows by throwing a stone at it during its trial run on the Agra route. The train has already received approval from RDSO after trial and is now awaiting approval from the commissioner of railway safety. Train 18 has the potential to transform the Indian Railways due to its design and capabilities, all of which will benefit passengers the most. 

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Train 18 is the first of its kind train for Indian Railways. It is self-propelled on an electric traction system just like Metro and doesn't require an engine. It has all modern day amenities as well. The train has a total of 16 coaches out of which 2 are executive coaches. The executive coaches have 52 seats each while the other coaches have 78 seats each. Some of its key features are onboard WiFi and infotainment, CCTV cameras, glass-bottom luggage rack, automatic doors and 360-degree revolving chairs in the executive class coaches. 

Train 18 is currently being tested on the Delhi-Agra route as these tracks are also certified for faster trains like Gatimaan Express. Amazingly, during its trial on the route today, the train touched a speed of 181 kmph. Train 18 is capable of running at a speed of 200 to 220 kmph given a suitable track.

Earlier, it was rumoured that the train will run between Delhi and Varanasi. However, its trial on the Delhi-Agra route has dropped a big hint that it will ply on Delhi-Bhopal route first.

Indian Railways has already asked the Integral Coach Factory to manufacture 10 such trains. 

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As per reports, Indian Railways is planning to roll out the train for the public from December 25. It happens to be former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday on December 25 and starting the train on this date will be a fitting tribute to him, an Indian Railways official said.