Mumbai: Central Railway’s Automatic-Door Non-AC Local Rake Faces Technical Issues In Trial, To Be Sent To Chennai For Modifications

Mumbai, August 28, 2026 - The automatic-door, non-AC local train for Central Railway passengers has encountered technical issues during its initial testing, leading to plans for modifications before deployment. The rake underwent a Confirmatory Oscillograph Car Run (CoCR) by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), which identified certain areas that require improvement.

The rake, stationed at Kurla car shed, was tested on the 63.27-km Khajuraho-Mahoba section on the Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border under the Jhansi division. It will now be sent to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai for the necessary modifications. If additional modifications are needed for the Kurla station rake, it may also be sent to Chennai.

The CoCR is a critical test that evaluates a train's running characteristics, including vibrations, vehicle movement, stability, and ride quality, among other parameters. The non-AC local is built on the design of an AC local, with automatic doors meant to enhance passenger safety. Before entering passenger service, the train must pass various technical and safety tests covering braking, speed, ride quality, stability, suspension, wheel-rail interaction, electrical systems, and automatic doors.

The identified issues during the CoCR do not automatically lead to the rake's rejection; instead, the required modifications will be made at ICF, followed by further testing to verify if the rake meets the necessary standards. Once all prescribed trials are successfully completed, the Central Railway can proceed with the introduction of the automatic-door, non-AC local into passenger service.