The LHB (Linke Holfmann Bush) coaches replace the indigenous ICF coaches Patna - New Delhi Sampoorna Kranti Express's from July 8.

Linke Holfman Bush (LHB) coaches will replace the Patna-New Delhi Sampoorna Kranti Express's old rake from July 8. The train with the new LHB coaches will run from Rajendra Nagar Terminal to New Delhi on July 8, said divisional railway manager (DRM), Danapur, L M Jha.

 In February 2000, IR received a consignment of new lightweight all-metal passenger coaches from Alsthom LHB (Germany). The initial units were earmarked for the New Delhi - Amritsar Swarna Shatabdi, but later [5/01] allotted to the new New Delhi - Lucknow Swarna Shatabdi.
The coaches are approximately 2.2m longer than the standard ICF-built integral coaches (two additional rows for the chair cars, one additional sleeping bay for the sleeper coaches). The AC coaches are expected to carry 78 passengers. The body is by Alsthom LHB, with a stainless steel construction, mounted on Fiat bogies with disc brakes. The chair cars are lighter about 10% lighter than the standard IR integral coaches, having a tare weight of 40.3 tonnes.
 1-The cost of each LHB coach is about Rs 1.5 crore to 2 crore. Where the cost of each locomotive is about Rs 3 crore.
 2  LHB coaches are anti-telescopic and cannot turn turtle in the event of any derailment or collision.
 3  LHB coaches have more riding comforts due to improved suspension system.
 4 The LHB coaches are fitted with microprocessor controlled high capacity air conditioning system, which gives passengers better comforts during summer and winter season.

To minimise casualties after derailments, the Railways are contemplating switching over from indigenous ICF coaches to German technology based LHB coaches in all mail and express trains as a safety measure.
LHB (Linke Holfmann Bush) coaches made of stainless steel have more inbuilt safety features as they can absorb shock and impact of derailment more effectively and as a result do not topple, thus reducing the loss of lives in case of accident,
LHB coaches manufactured in the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala are mostly used in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
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 Improvements for the passengers' comfort include better air flow for the air-conditioning, larger windows,...

According to Jha, the load combination of Sampoorna Kranti Express with LHB will be of 22 bogies which will include First AC (1), Second AC (1), 3AC (3), III-Tier (10), general bogies (4), one pantry car and two generator car-cum-luggage vans. Railways had already made a trial run of this rake between Patna Junction and Mughalsarai at 110km/hr speed under the supervision of the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), R P Yadav, he said.
According to sources, railways intends to run the train with LHB coaches at 130km/ph between Mughalsarai and New Delhi. The CRS of Northern Railway has also given permission to run Sampoorna Kranti Express with new combination of LHB coaches, sources said, adding that railways has already taken a policy decision to replace all old coaches of long-distance mail and express trains with LHB coaches.
The DRM said the pantry car of this particular rake is also AC. Railways is making all possible efforts to run this LHB rake with the support of two battery-generator cars, he said.
Impressed with the quality, design and safety of LHB coaches, railways has taken all possible steps for its proper maintenance at Rajendra Nagar complex. The new rakes would provide more comforts to the passengers travelling by Sampoorna Kranti Express. Besides, railways would ensure proper cleanliness and hygienic condition on the running train, the DRM said.
The greatest advantage of LHB coaches is that the sound level of these coaches is hardly 60 decibels compared to about 100 decibels in conventional coaches. The disc-braking system of LHB coaches is superior to that of conventionally used thread-braking system. Besides, the FIAT technology used in the LHB coaches is both heat and cold resistant. The new technology consumes less energy while creating heat and cool effect in these new coaches, .

  FIAT technology ?

Fiat Group used the Geneva Auto Show to launch a new engine technology which could ultimately be as important as the common rail diesel technology it invented 15 years ago. Dubbed MultiAir, the hydraulically-actuated variable valve timing (VVT) technology was first announced as a concept two years ago, and offers a more controllable flow of air during the combustion cycle in comparison with mechanical VVT systems. Vastly reduced fuel consumption and emmissions plus significantly more power are claimed, and the technology is even more effective when used with a supercharger or a diesel engine.

« Back to Fiat releases MultiAir engine technology – is this a fundamental breakthrough in internal combustion engine design?

LHB coaches are more comfortable due to its improved suspension system. The controlled discharge toilet system (CDTS) is an added feature. The windows are wider and each coach has a pantry provision as well, Jha said, adding that railways has partially modified the design of these coaches keeping in view the interest of passengers. These coaches have the capacity to accommodate about 72 passengers in each AC-3 coach as against 64 passengers in an AC-3 conventional coach, he said.