117.214.215.180 at 09:45, 27 June 2022

2022-06-27T09:45:25Z

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{{short description|Rolling stock of the Indian Railways}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox train
| background =
| name = Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches
| image = File:LHB Coaches.jpg
| imagealt =
| imagesize =
| caption = Red and Blue livery LHB coaches
| interiorimage =
| interiorimagealt =
| interiorcaption =
| service =
| designer = [[Alstom Transport Deutschland|Linke-Hofmann-Busch]]
| manufacturer = [[Alstom Transport Deutschland|Linke-Hofmann-Busch]]
| ordernumber =
| factory = 1. [[Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala]] 2. [[Integral Coach Factory|Integral Coach Factory, Chennai]] 3. [[Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli]]
| replaced = [[ICF_coaches|ICF]]
| yearconstruction =
| yearservice =
| refurbishment =
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction =
| numberbuilt =
| numberservice =
| numberpreserved =
| numberscrapped =
| fleetnumbers =
| capacity = max 250
| operator = [[Indian Railways]] [[Bangladesh Railway]]
| carbody = spotwelded stainless steel
| carlength = 23.54 m (body) 24 m (coupler-coupler)
| width = 3.24 m
| height = 4.039 m
| floorheight = 1.32 m
| platformheight = 500 mm - 800 mm
| entrylevelorstep =
| doors = 4 manual
| wheeldiameter = 855 mm - 915 mm
| wheelbase = 2.56 m
| maxspeed = 200km/h (125mph)
| weight = 39.5 tons
| axleload = 16 tons
| aux =
| powersupply =
| hvac = 84,000 BTU
| wheel arrangement = 2'2'
| bogies = 2x Fiat bogies
| brakes = Air
| coupling = [[Centre Buffer Coupler|H type CBC]]
| gauge = [[Broad gauge]] (1,676 mm)
| notes =
| seating = 24 - 102 80 (avg)
}}
[[File:LHB Coach of 12017 New Delhi Dehradun Shatabdi Express.JPG|LHB Coach of New Delhi Dehradun Shatabdi|thumb|right]]
[[File:The Interior of the Executive Class or 1A of an LHB Shatabdi Coach..jpg|thumb|middle|The interior of LHB executive class or 1A coach of New Delhi Dehradun Shatabdi Express.]]
[[File:LHB AC 3 tier coach of Golden Temple Mail.jpg|thumb|LHB AC 3 tier coach of Golden Temple Mail]]
[[File:SBC-HZM Rajdhani at SC.jpg|thumb|Generator car of Bangalore Rajdhani Express at [[Secunderabad Junction railway station|Secunderabad junction]]]]
[[File:LHB coaches .webp|thumb|Banglabandha Express train of Bangladesh Railway running with LHB rake]]

'''Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches''' are the passenger coaches of [[Indian Railways]] that were developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-22/bangalore/31382279_1_ac-coaches-pantry-car-new-coaches|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201235226/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-22/bangalore/31382279_1_ac-coaches-pantry-car-new-coaches|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2014|title=New-look train to Delhi rolls out|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 April 2013|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> (renamed Alstom LHB GmbH in 1998 after the takeover by [[Alstom]] and now known as [[Alstom Transport Deutschland]])<ref name="alstom">{{cite web|url=http://www.alstom.com/germany/about-us/history/|title=History|publisher=[[Alstom]]|access-date=5 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218205239/http://www.alstom.com/Germany/about-us/history/|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> and mostly produced by [[Rail Coach Factory]] in [[Kapurthala, India]].<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3265382.ece|title=Fastest train 'Duronto' is slow off the blocks|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 March 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> They have been used since 2000 on the {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] (1676 mm<ref name="adams" />) network of Indian railways. Initially, 24 air conditioned coaches were imported from Germany for use in the [[Shatabdi Express]]es, after which the Rail Coach Factory started manufacturing after technology transfer.<ref name="ie2000" />

The coaches are designed for an operating speed up to 160 km/h and could go up to 200 km/h.<ref name="toi2">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-25/patna/28143401_1_conventional-coaches-ac-3-shatabdi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412030628/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-25/patna/28143401_1_conventional-coaches-ac-3-shatabdi|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2012|title=LHB coaches saved Rajdhani passengers|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=25 March 2010|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> However, they have been tested up to 180 km/h. Their length of 23.54 m and a width of 3.24 m means a higher passenger capacity, compared to conventional [[Trainset|rakes]].<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120514/jsp/jharkhand/story_15485712.jsp#.UEd3abLibnM|title=Bogie boost for Rajdhani & Shatabdi|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|date=14 May 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> The tare weight of the AC chair car was weighed as 39.5 tonnes.<ref name="scribd">{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/58984025/Introduction-to-LHB-Coach|title=OBJECTIVES OF THE NEWTECHNOLOGY|publisher=Scribd|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> They are considered to be "anti-telescopic", which means they do not get turned over or flip in case of a collision (chiefly head-on). These coaches are made of stainless steel and the interiors are made of aluminium which make them lighter as compared to conventional rakes.<ref name="thbl1"/> Each coach also has an "advanced pneumatic disc brake system" for efficient braking at higher speeds, "modular interiors" that integrate lighting into ceiling and luggage racks with wider windows.<ref name="toi062009">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-29/chennai/28178942_1_lhb-coaches-k-j-s-naidu-attractive-upholstery|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103162805/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-29/chennai/28178942_1_lhb-coaches-k-j-s-naidu-attractive-upholstery|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=New-look coaches likely in Shatabdi Exp|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 June 2009|access-date=21 September 2012}}</ref> The improved suspension system of LHB coaches ensures more riding comfort for the passengers compared to conventional rakes. The air conditioning system of the LHB coaches is of higher capacity compared to the older rakes and is controlled by a microprocessor which is said to give passengers better comfort than the older coaches during summer and winter seasons. They are relatively quieter as each coach produces a maximum noise level of 60 decibels while conventional coaches can produce 100 decibels.

Each LHB coach costs between [[Indian rupee|₹]] 1.5 Crore to ₹2.0 crore  , whereas the power car which houses a generator costs about 3 crore .<ref name="toi2"/><ref name="thehindu2">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3348367.ece|title=Old rake allotted to Duronto Express|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=24 April 2012|access-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> IR declared that all ICF coaches will be replaced by LHB coaches to provide more safety and comfort. The ICF Coach was flagged off making way for the LHB Coaches to be used for most of the new coaches introduced in Indian Railways.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Debroy |first1=Bibek |title=A 70-year-old vs a 30-year-old: LHB coaches perform better than ICF ones |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/a-70-year-old-vs-a-30-year-old-lhb-coaches-perform-better-than-icf-ones-118020801725_1.html |access-date=5 June 2019 |work=Business Standard|date=9 February 2018}}</ref>

== History ==

During 1993–94, Indian Railways decided to look for a passenger coach design which would be lighter and capable of higher speeds compared to their existing [[Trainset|rakes]]. The main features of the Railways' specification were high speed light weight coaches to run on the present infrastructure of the Indian Railways, i.e. the railway, track and environmental conditions in India at an operating speed of 160 km/h.<ref name="adams">{{cite web|url=http://www.mscsoftware.com/support/library/conf/adams/rail/pdf/IRY_IR20_Coach.pdf|title=Improvement in Secondary Suspension of "IRY-IR20" Coach using Adams/Rail|publisher=Rail Coach Factory|access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="thbl1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2003/05/19/stories/2003051900100600.htm|title=New coaches for Mumbai Rajdhani|newspaper=[[Business Line]]|date=19 May 2003|access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> It was decided by the Railways that the design would first be tried in the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala (RCF), and upon successful completion of this trial, it would be tried in the [[Integral Coach Factory]] in [[Perambur]].<ref name="ie2000">{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fe/daily/20000317/fec17088.html|title=New AC coaches inducted into Railways|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=17 March 2000|access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

In 1995, after a global selection process, Alstom-LHB received the order from Indian Railways to design and develop a new passenger coach under a transfer of technology agreement.<ref name="thbl1"/> As part of the order, Alstom-LHB had to execute two contracts, one for the supply of "Light Weight High Speed Coaches for Broad Gauge"<ref name="adams"/> which includes the development, design and manufacture of 19 AC 2nd Class Chair Cars, 2 AC Executive Class Chair Cars and 3 Generator-cum-Brake vans<ref name="irfca">{{cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/~mrinal/alstomcoaches.html|title=ALSTHOM coaches|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=6 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221103601/http://irfca.org/~mrinal/alstomcoaches.html|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the other contract for the "[[Technology Transfer]]" which includes the transfer of technology for design and manufacturing, the training of Indian Railways personnel in the premises of the manufacturer and the technical assistance at RCF during the start of production.<ref name="ie2000"/>

Out of the 24 coaches imported from Germany, all of them mostly being Air Conditioned chair cars,<ref name="railwayspdf">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/YB-05-06/rolling-stock.pdf|title=Rolling Stock|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]}}</ref> the first lot were used for [[Lucknow Shatabdi|New Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi Express]] on a trial basis. It didn't turn out be successful as the coaches' wide windows were targets of mischief and stone-pelting. Railways had to use sealing tapes to tape up the bruised windows.<ref name="thbl1"/> When these rakes were brought into service, couplers came unstuck and the data collected from the passenger feedback showed that the air conditioning was not "very effective". They were withdrawn from service and after attending to the problems, Railways reintroduced them on the New Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi Express and proved successful.<ref name="thbl1"/><ref name="thehindu2001">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/11/12/stories/0212000k.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615215626/http://www.hindu.com/2001/11/12/stories/0212000k.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2013|title=Imported coaches ready to hit the tracks|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 November 2001|access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref>

The RCF began to manufacture other variants of LHB design like the air conditioned first class, AC 2 tier sleeper, AC 3 tier sleeper, hot buffet (pantry) car etc., from 2001 to 2002, and rolled out its first rake in December 2002. The first such
rake was introduced for Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in December, 2003.<ref name="railwayspdf"/> Up to March 2011, 997 LHB coaches were produced by the RCF.<ref name="pib">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=50463|title=RCF produces 597 LHB Coaches|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India|date=16 July 2009|access-date=7 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="toi3">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-10/patna/33136222_1_lhb-coaches-conventional-coaches-kapurthala-rail-coach-factory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111150218/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-10/patna/33136222_1_lhb-coaches-conventional-coaches-kapurthala-rail-coach-factory|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|title=Induction of Linke Holfman Bush coaches at snail’s pace|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=10 August 2012|access-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>  All of these coaches are being used in premium trains like [[Rajdhani Express|Rajdhani]], [[Shatabdi Express|Shatabdi]], [[Duronto Express]], [[Superfast Express trains in India|superfast trains]] and have been offering better passenger comfort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.odishatv.in/NewsDetail.asp?newsId=NS40470|title=Railways to opt for LHB coaches in all trains|publisher=Orissa TV|date=22 April 2011|access-date=7 September 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Soon, all the Duronto trains will be equipped with LHB coaches.<ref>Press Trust of India . [http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/railways-to-increase-rolling-stock-output-113110701032_1.html "Railways to increase rolling stock output"], ''[[Business Standard]]'', New Delhi
7 November 2013. Retrieved on 11 November 2013.</ref>

==Production==
Annual production of LHB coaches is around 400 per year for year 2013–2014.<ref name="pib.nic.in">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=104072 |title=Production of LHB Coaches on Indian Railways |publisher=Pib.nic.in |date=2014-02-21 |access-date=2018-05-10}}</ref>

* During 2010–11, [[Rail Coach Factory|Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala]] produced 300 coaches.<ref name="ie2012">{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kapurthala-gets-order-to-make-693-better-coaches/947364/|title=Kapurthala gets order to make 693 'better' coaches|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=10 May 2012|access-date=21 September 2012}}</ref> During 2012–13, the total number of coaches that were produced was 1680, while in 2013–14, RCF was able to increase the production to 1701 coaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/4597981_RCF-achieves-highest-ever-coach-production-in-2013-14.html |title=RCF achieves highest ever coach production in 2013-14 |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=11 April 2014|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420043811/http://www.ptinews.com/news/4597981_RCF-achieves-highest-ever-coach-production-in-2013-14.html|archive-date=20 April 2014}}</ref>
* During 2013–14, [[Integral Coach Factory]] produced 25 LHB coaches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/ICF-produces-record-1622-coaches/articleshow/33089541.cms |title=ICF produces record 1,622 coaches - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2014-04-01 |access-date=2018-05-10}}</ref> It plans to increase its manufacturing capacity of LHB coaches. It has set a target to manufacture 300 LHB coaches in 2014-15 and reach a capacity of 1000 LHB coaches by 2016–17.<ref name="railjournal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/indian-government-approves-kolar-coach-factory.html?channel=529 |title=Indian government approves Kolar coach factory |publisher=Railjournal.com |date=2014-03-12 |access-date=2018-05-10}}</ref>
* The planned capacity of [[Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli]] has produced 711 coaches during 2017-18 and planned to 1400 coaches in 2018-19


== Types ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Coach Type
! Class
! Sleeping
Capacity
! Sitting
Capacity
|-
| LWFAC<ref name="thbl">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-logistics/article1661761.ece|title=Rlys may raise stainless steel coach production|newspaper=[[Business Line]]|date=22 June 2007|access-date=6 September 2012}}</ref>
| 1A
| 24
| 24
|-
| LWACCW<ref name="thbl"/>
| 2A
| 52
| 52
|-
|LWFCWAC<ref name="thbl2">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/civil_engg/pdf/SD_RS_2013/2013-CEDO-SD-RS-02.pdf|title=Condonation of infringement to maximum dimensions of Composite (AC Ist + AC-2 Tier) EOG LHB Variant Coach (LWFCWAC) to IRSOD (BG) Revised, 2004.|publisher=[[Indian Railways]]|date=2013-02-25|access-date=2016-04-16}}</ref>
|1A/2A
|10+28
|10+28
|-
| LWACCN<ref name="thbl"/>
| 3A
| 72
| 72
|-
| LWACCNE
| 3E
| 83
| 83
|-
| LWSCN/LSCN
| SL
| 80
| 80
|-
| LWFCZAC<ref name="thbl"/>
| EC
| -
| 56
|-
| LWSCZAC<ref name="thbl"/>
| CC
| -
| 78
|-
| LWSCZDAC<ref name="thbl"/>
| Double decker CC
| -
| 120
|-
| LWSCZ
| 2S
| -
| 102
|-
| LWS/LS
| UR/GEN
| -
| 100
|-
| LWCBAC
| PC
| 15
| 15
|-
| LSLRD
| UR/GEN
| -
| 37-46
|-
| LDSLR
| UR/GEN
| -
| 36
|-
| LWLRRM
| EOG
| -
| -
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Indian Railways}}

[[Category:Railway coaches of India]]

LHB coaches - Revision history

117.214.215.180 at 09:45, 27 June 2022