Vice President Venkaiah Naidu flags off new Vistadome coaches of Vizag to Araku train

Hon’ble Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, inaugurated the maiden run of 08525 Vizag – Araku Special train with Vistadome LHB Coaches on Monday morning. This inaugural train will run with an open path. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has decided to introduce the modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rake to Visakhapatnam-Kirandul-Visakhapatnam Express, with additional Vistadome coaches with effect from 23 November, 2021.

The Vistadome coaches were attached in the rear of 18551/18552 Visakhapatnam – Kirandul – Visakhapatnam Express. Train No.18551 Visakhapatnam – Kirandul Express will run with LHB rake with additional Vistadome coaches with effect from 23 November, 2021 and the train No.18552 Kirandul – Visakhapatnam Express will run with LHB coaches with effect from 24 November, 2021. 

In the return direction the inaugural special train 08526 Araku – Visakhapatnam train will leave Araku at 3:30 pm and will reach Visakhapatnam at 6:45 pm. This special train will have halts at Simhachalam, Kothavalasa, Srungavarapukota, and Borra Guhalu between Visakhapatnam – Araku.           

This pair of trains to Araku, flagged off in Vizag, will have 13 LHB coaches consisting of Vistadome coaches-2, Sleeper Class-1, General Second Class-8, Second class Luggage cum disabled coach-1 and Generator Motor car-1, which can accommodate about 1,100 passengers on the train.

East Coast Railway focused on the conversion of conventional coaches of important trains with LHB coaches over its jurisdiction. The LHB coaches, based on German technology, offer better riding comfort, are lighter in weight, have higher speed potential as well as higher carrying capacity. 

East Coast Railway has already converted 6 pairs of trains, originating from Visakhapatnam, with LHB rake viz. Visakhapatnam – New Delhi – Visakhapatnam AP Express, Visakhapatnam – Korba – Visakhapatnam Express trains, Visakhapatnam – Tirupati – Cuddapah, Visakhapatnam – Nanded Express, Bhubaneswar – Jagdalpr and Visakhapatnam – Amritsar Express trains.