Indian Railways News: India has taken a significant step towards modernising its freight railway network, with the country’s first Vande Bharat platform-based Freight Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) successfully
completing the opening day of technical trials at Kota Division in Rajasthan.
The 16-coach prototype, developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, reached a top recorded speed of 145 km/h during its maiden trial on Wednesday. The achievement marks a major milestone in Indian Railways’ plans to introduce faster, more efficient and technology-driven freight services across the country.
First-Day Trials Reach 145 Km/H
The trial is being conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) along the Kota-Nagda-Sawai Madhopur high-speed corridor, one of Indian Railways’ most advanced testing routes. Officials said the prototype will undergo comprehensive testing over the next month under varying speeds, load conditions and operational scenarios.
According to Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Kota Division, the rake departed Kota at 6.00 am for Mahidpur Road on the first day of testing. Initial trials were carried out at a non-recorded speed of 120 km/h on the Kota-Mahidpur Road section, followed by recorded runs at 120 km/h and 135 km/h between Mahidpur Road and Bhawani Mandi.
During the return journey to Kota, the freight EMU achieved a top speed of 145 km/h, the highest speed recorded on the opening day of the trial programme. Officials said at least two round trips will be conducted daily throughout the testing period.
Comprehensive Month-Long Testing Programme
The extensive test schedule includes oscillation trials at speeds of 120, 130, 140 and 145 km/h in both loaded and unloaded conditions, emergency braking distance tests, coupler force trials, curve performance assessments, traction and braking evaluations, regenerative energy testing, PAPIS verification, signal and telecommunications interference tests, door operation and safety checks, along with static inspections covering lighting, CCTV systems, interior equipment and short-circuit protection.
A New Era of High-Speed Freight Begins!
The future of freight transportation in Indian Railways has taken a major leap forward as the country’s first Vande Bharat platform-based Freight EMU begins its technical trials in West Central Railway’s Kota Division.
On its very first… pic.twitter.com/fKVPU3I1Aa
— DRM KOTA (@drmkota) July 29, 2026
Built For High-Speed Freight Operations
Designed specifically for high-speed cargo movement, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU is expected to transform sectors including e-commerce, express parcel delivery, cold-chain logistics and other time-sensitive freight operations.
The prototype consists of a 16-coach rake comprising two refrigerated DTC coaches, two non-driving trailer coaches and 12 parcel coaches. It is equipped with Vande Bharat bogies, an axle load capacity exceeding 20 tonnes and a total payload capacity of more than 397 tonnes.
Among its advanced features are refrigerated parcel storage, forced ventilation, pneumatic retractable roller flooring, modern braking and propulsion systems, and the KAVACH automatic train protection system. For enhanced safety, all doors automatically lock once the train exceeds 5 km/h, while the train cannot be operated unless every door is securely closed.
Kota Emerges As Key Testing Hub
In a post on X, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Kota, described the trials as the beginning of “a new era of high-speed freight transportation”, adding that the successful first-day performance represents a major leap towards faster, smarter and more efficient freight logistics. The DRM also said the upcoming month-long trial programme would further reinforce Kota Division’s status as Indian Railways’ leading testing hub for next-generation rail technology.
If the trials prove successful, the Vande Bharat Freight EMU could pave the way for a new generation of high-speed cargo trains, significantly improving the speed, reliability and sustainability of freight transportation across India’s railway network.
