---
title: "Indian Railways Plans Shift to Vande Bharat-Style Train Sets for Long-Distance Services"
english_title: "Indian Railways Plans Vande Bharat-Style Train Sets for Long-Distance Routes"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/380867/indian-railways-vande-bharat-amrit-bharat-train-sets-long-distance-services"
published_at: "2026-09-02T15:20:00+05:30"
category: "Big Story"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6a97f21e84532_indian-railways-vande-bharat-amrit-bharat-train-sets-long-distance-services.jpg"
keywords: ["Indian Railways", "Vande Bharat", "Amrit Bharat trains", "train sets", "LHB coaches", "railway modernization"]
---

# Indian Railways Plans Shift to Vande Bharat-Style Train Sets for Long-Distance Services

> **Lead Summary:** **Thiruvananthapuram:** Indian Railways is preparing for a major shift towards train sets similar to the Vande Bharat model, with Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat-style trains expected to play a larger role in long-distance services in the coming years. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of Principal Chief Mechanical Engineers from various railway zones held with the Railway Board.

## Article Content

**Thiruvananthapuram:** Indian Railways is preparing for a major shift towards train sets similar to the Vande Bharat model, with Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat-style trains expected to play a larger role in long-distance services in the coming years. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of Principal Chief Mechanical Engineers from various railway zones held with the Railway Board.

If the Railway Board approves the recommendations, the proposed changes could gain momentum. One of the key proposals is to gradually discontinue the production of stainless-steel Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches and move towards train-set formations for future long-distance operations.

As part of the transition, conventional Integral Coach Factory (ICF)-built coaches are expected to be completely replaced with LHB coaches by 2027–28. The railways is also considering the expansion of a new, third-generation Amrit Bharat train configuration that would include air-conditioned coaches.

Another proposal involves introducing locomotives at both ends of trains using LHB coaches. Such a push-pull arrangement could eliminate the need for frequent locomotive changes and shunting operations at railway yards, potentially improving operational efficiency.

Operating trains in a push-pull configuration would also make it easier to avoid changing the direction of locomotives inside yards. Fixed formations consisting of 22 coaches are being considered as another advantage, as such trains can accelerate more quickly and may offer improved operational safety.

However, fixed train sets also have a limitation: additional coaches cannot be easily added when passenger demand increases.

Meanwhile, changes have also been proposed for Vande Bharat Chair Car coaches. One suggestion is to modify the existing coach design and remove the seat-reclining or rotating facility in the Executive Class. The objective is to create additional space for another row of seats, potentially increasing the passenger-carrying capacity of the train.

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