India’s first Vande Bharat freight train begins trial run, hits 145 kmph

“These trials being conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), this prototype rake has arrived in Kota Division from ICF Chennai. Detailed technical trials are now being carried out on the Kota-Nagda-Sawai Madhopur section, which is among Indian Railways’ most suitable high-speed test corridors,” he added.

India’s first Vande Bharat Freight train begins trial run ahead of launch (Image: WCR)

Vande Bharat cargo prototype trial run

The Railway official said that the trial series officially began on July 29, 2026. On the first day, the special trial rake departed from Kota for Mahidpur Road at 6:00 am. It was tested at different speeds, including 120 kmph on the Kota-Mahidpur Road section and recorded speeds of 120 kmph and 135 kmph on the Mahidpur Road-Bhawani Mandi section.

During the return journey from Mahidpur Road to Kota, the rake achieved a maximum speed of 145 kmph, the highest speed recorded on the first day of trials. The successful trial was supported by uninterrupted green signals at stations along the route, he said.

India’s first Vande Bharat Freight train begins trials, set to transform high-speed cargo transport (Image: WCR)

India’s first Vande Bharat freight train begins trial run ahead of launch

Ahead of its launch, the country’s first Vande Bharat freight train will undergo trials in multiple phases over nearly a month on the Nagda-Kota-Sawai Madhopur rail section. The trials will mainly include:

• Oscillation trials at speeds of 120, 130, 140 and 145 kmph in loaded and inflated condition
• Emergency Braking Distance (EBD) tests
• Coupler force trials
• Curve performance tests
• Traction, braking and jerk tests
• Regenerative energy and PAPIS tests
• Signal and telecom interference tests
• Door operation and other safety tests
• Static tests related to interior systems, CCTV, lighting and short circuits

“During the trials, a minimum of two round trips will be operated daily. The maximum test speed has been set at 145 kmph,” Jain said.

Why Kota Division has been chosen for India’s first Vande Bharat Freight train trials?

According to Jain, Kota Division is emerging as a preferred testing ground for Indian Railways’ most advanced rail projects. He said that due to division’s strong track infrastructure, modern signalling systems, efficient operations, and availability of a safe high-speed testing corridor have helped it successfully host trials of several new trainsets and technologies.

“The fact that the trial of the country’s first Vande Bharat Freight EMU is also taking place on this section is proof of Kota Division’s technical reliability and operational excellence,” he said.

India’s first Vande Bharat Freight train set to transform cargo transport

The Vande Bharat Freight EMU is a 16-coach rake comprising two DTC (reefer vans), two NDTC coaches, and 12 parcel coaches. The train features Vande Bharat bogies, has an axle load capacity of 20.32 tonnes, and offers a total payload capacity of 397.02 tonnes.

The train is equipped with refrigerated parcel facilities, forced ventilation, pneumatic retractable roller flooring, four automatic wide sliding doors per coach, CCTV, LED lighting, a fire detection system, container locking arrangements, and advanced braking and propulsion systems similar to those in Vande Bharat trainsets.

From a safety standpoint, all doors automatically lock at speeds above 5 kmph, and the rake cannot be operated without confirmation that all doors are closed.

“Indian Railways believes that the success of this Freight EMU will give new direction in future to the country’s high-speed parcel corridor, e-commerce logistics, refrigerated freight transport, and time-bound freight services.

Once commercial operations begin, this rake will play an important role in making freight transport considerably faster, safer, and more reliable than the traditional system,” the Railway official said.