Indian Railways has been undergoing one of its biggest modernisation drives in history, with lakhs of crores being invested in tracks, signalling systems, locomotives and coaches. At the heart of this transformation lies a simple goal: make trains faster, safer, and more comfortable for millions of daily passengers.
ICF to LHB: A Shift Built on Safety and Speed
For decades, Indian Railways relied on ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches, which served well but came with limitations — especially in terms of safety and speed. ICF coaches are capped at 140 kmph, and their design is more vulnerable during collisions.
In contrast, the modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches—originally designed in Germany and now made in India—offer a transformative leap. Built with stainless steel and equipped with advanced components, LHB coaches:
- Run safely at 160 kmph, with a design speed of 200 kmph
- Feature an anti-climbing mechanism, preventing coaches from overriding each other in accidents
- Use fire-retardant materials, drastically reducing fire hazards
- Provide smoother, quieter, jerk-free travel
This upgrade is not just about speed—it’s about elevating India’s travel experience to global standards.
16 Trains Set for a Major Upgrade
Central Railway has now announced a major milestone: 16 trains will soon replace their ageing ICF coaches with new LHB coaches. This large-scale upgrade marks another step in Railways’ all-India shift toward modern rolling stock.
Over the past few years, premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto have already transitioned fully to LHB. With Central Railway’s latest decision, more long-distance and high-frequency routes will follow suit.
This will mean:
- Enhanced safety for passengers
- Higher operational speeds
- Reduced maintenance
- Improved travel comfort
The rollout ensures that more travellers will experience the modern coach technology that India has been steadily adopting.
Mission 2030: Faster, Safer Railways
Indian Railways has set a clear target: phase out all ICF coaches by 2030. As more LHB rakes enter service, India moves closer to its vision of semi-high-speed corridors, world-class comfort, and global-standard rail infrastructure.
The next decade of Indian Railways will be shaped by steel, speed, and smart engineering—and the upgrade of these 16 trains is another firm step toward that future.
