Central Railway to Introduce LHB Coaches on Eight Major Trains for Safer, More Comfortable Travel

Mumbai:
In a major move to enhance passenger safety and comfort, the Central Railway has announced that eight Mail/Express trains will permanently switch from conventional coaches to modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches.

The upgrade will begin on January 14, covering key routes such as:

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – Chennai Express

• Pune – Veraval Express

• Pune – Bhagat Ki Kothi Express

• Pune – Bhuj Express

• Pune – Ahmedabad Express

• Kolhapur – Nagpur Express

• Kolhapur – Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
  …and others.

🔧 What Are LHB Coaches?

LHB coaches are modern passenger coaches made of stainless steel, originally designed in Germany and now manufactured in India.

They offer multiple advanced safety features, including:

• Anti-climbing technology

• Fire-retardant materials

• Higher operational speed of 160 km/h (compared to 140 km/h for old coaches)

• Design speed of 200 km/h

🚆 Passenger-Friendly Features

The LHB coaches also include:

• Longer coach bodies for more space

• Comfortable seating arrangements

• LED lighting

• Charging sockets

• Disc brakes for efficient braking

• Four emergency exit windows

• Emergency lighting system with 6-hour backup

🏭 A Look Back: LHB Coaches in India

The first LHB rakes were imported from Germany in 2000 for the Shatabdi Express.
India began manufacturing LHB coaches in 2001. They are now produced at:

• Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala)

• Integral Coach Factory (Chennai)

• Modern Coach Factory (Rae Bareli)

With this upgrade, Central Railway aims to significantly improve travel safety, reduce derailment risks, and enhance passenger comfort across long-distance routes.