50,000th coach set to be launched from #ICF today- A triumph for Indian Railways' Make in India campaign.
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Integral Coach Factory, Chennai , set up in 1955, ranks amongst industrial temples of modern India. It has achieved the distinction of being the only coach manufacturer in the World to have manufactured 50000 coaches. The variety of coaches manufactured by ICF is astounding ranging from General second class coaches to latest air-conditioned coaches , air-conditioned #EMU s, #MEMU s, High Horse power #DEMU Train sets etc.The current challenge before...
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it is to produce160 kmph AC DEMU train sets which would be upgradable to 200 kmph. First train set is expected in the year 2016-17. Developing new products and ideas has been its strength. ICF is today capable of manufacturing about 1700 coaches a year, putting it amongst the majors in the World. ICF has not only supplied coaches to Indian Railways but also exported to other countries like 20 DEMU stainless steel train sets to Sri Lanka and built a brand for itself .
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ICF is credited with introducing several innovations over the years like provision of Braille signages in the coaches for the benefit of visually challenged persons, provision of CCTV cameras in the coaches, provision of bio-toilets in the coaches etc. ICF is also a fully green coach manufacturer as its entire power requirement is generated by its windmills located in Tuticorin. In fact it has a surplus power balance. Please see below details of coaches and historical data of ICF.
#ministryofrailways

NEW LHB COACH MANUFACTURING UNIT:
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A new unit has been established at #ICF to manufacture LHB type stainless steel coaches. This unit is equipped with the most modern machines like Laser cutting and welding machines, Welding robots and fixtures and different types of CNC machines, some of which only exist at this unit in the Country. This unit is a major contribution by Indian Railways in the “Make in India” drive.
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The new unit has a capacity to manufacture 300 #LHB coaches per annum. The first LHB coach was turned out in Sept. 2014 and the plant is now fully stabilized and ready for enhancing its production over coming months. It is planned to completely switch over to LHB type coaches within next four to five years. LHB coaches provide world class features including safety, higher ride comfort and superior passenger amenities. Some major features of LHB coaches are listed below :
• Improved safety through better crashworthiness.
• Provision of Centre Buffer Couplers (CBC) for anti climbing feature.
• Higher Speed Potential as LHB coaches are running at 160 Kmph.
• Better passenger comfort due to improved riding quality.
• Reduction in noise level inside the coach through improved sound insulation.
• Use of environment friendly toilets.
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This new unit will be dedicated to the Nation by Honourable Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 6th July, 2015 from New Delhi, by remote.
#ministryofrailways