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Kolkata metro coaches by ICF
KOLKATA: The first of the two state-of-the-art AC rakes for Metro Railway from Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is likely to start its journey from Chennai to Kolkata on Tuesday. The rake, to be hauled by an electric locomotive, is expected to reach the city by July 9. However, it will take a few weeks for it to undergo trials before it starts commercial services.
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will be the 14th air-conditioned rake in the Metro's fleet of 28. For the first time, 50% of Metro Railway's rakes will be air-conditioned, allowing commuters more comfortable rides.
Metro now runs 300 services per day. Recently, general manager Vishwesh Chaubey had assured commuters of more air-conditioned services during the summer months and the latest entry into the Metro's stable will allow this. The rake from ICF — also known as the Medha Prototype — will follow the route taken by trains like the Coromandel Express and Chennai Mail till Kharagpur and then move towards Asansol and Naihati before reaching Belgharia, where it will enter the Metro system and start receiving power from the third rail. It is known as the Medha Prototype since the rake's propulsion system has been provided by Medha Servo Drives.
"This is the first of 40 rakes that have been ordered from various sources. After the first two Medha Prototypes, we will get 14 rakes from Dalian in China. Orders have also been placed with CSR Zhuzhou in China for eight rakes. After that, we shall receive two more Medha rakes from ICF, followed up by a dozen more from the same source. Finally, we shall get two more rakes from CSR Zhuzhou," said Metro Railway CPRO Ind-rani Banerjee.
The Medha rakes will be more comfortable since they will be jerk-free. In existing rakes, passengers feel a jerk whenever there is motoring or braking. This happens as these processes take place in several steps. In the new rakes, the processes will be stepless and there won't be any jerks. The new rakes will be three-phase regenerative ones that will release energy back into the system during braking. They will also sport rubber springs instead of metallic coils.
The motormen would also be able to calculate the traction required on the basis of load. When there are fewer passengers, the rakes will draw less power and there will be further energy saving. With the new rakes, Metro hopes to save 30% energy.
The rakes will also offer an advanced ethernet-based train control and management system.