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.