Vande Bharat Sleeper Express
AC Sleeper series of Indian semi-high speed EMU train services
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The Vande Bharat Sleeper Express is a medium to long-distance superfast express service by Indian Railways. It is a reserved, air-conditioned sleeper service connecting cities that are 800 km (500 mi) to 1,200 km (750 mi) apart. It is operated by self-propelling trainsets, designed and manufactured in India. The first prototype of the train set was rolled out by BEML in September 2024. The first service began operation on 17 January 2026.
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| Vande Bharat Sleeper Express | |
|---|---|
Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on standby at KSR Bengaluru City Jn. | |
| Overview | |
| Service type | Inter-city semi-high-speed rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Predecessor | Rajdhani Express |
| First service | 17 January 2026 |
| Current operator | Indian Railways |
| Website | indianrail |
| Route | |
| Line used | 1 |
| On-board services | |
| Classes | AC First (1A) AC 2 Tier (2A) AC 3 Tier (3A) |
| Sleeping arrangements |
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| Catering facilities | On-board |
| Observation facilities | Wide windows |
| Entertainment facilities |
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| Other facilities |
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| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Vande Bharat (sleeper trainset) |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge |
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line |
| Operating speed | 180 km/h (110 mph) (maximum) 200 km/h (120 mph) (potential maximum) |
| Average length | 16 coaches |
History
After the rollout of Vande Bharat trains that provided faster connectivity across short distances, Integral Coach Factory started developing a long-distance version of the trainset equipped with sleeper cars.[1] The first prototype was rolled out by BEML in September 2024,[2] and was expected to enter commercial service by January 2026.[3][4]
Rolling stock
The train uses electric multiple units capable of achieving semi-high speeds of 180 km/h (110 mph).[5] The train includes a new aerodynamic front design made from high-strength materials for improved durability and reduced maintenance.[6] Each trainset has sixteen cars, and is capable of accommodating up to 823 passengers.[3][2][7]
Facilities
The service is a reserved, air-conditioned sleeper service connecting cities that are 800 km (500 mi) to 1,200 km (750 mi) apart.[7] It offers three classes of accommodation with one First AC (1A) coach, four Second AC (2A) and 11 Third AC (3A) coaches, which can accommodate 24, 188 and 611 passengers respectively.[2][5] The coaches are equipped with electric outlets, reading lights, CCTV cameras, automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps, and passenger information system.[3][7] It also contains fully air-conditioned locomotive cabins with dedicated toilets for train drivers.[2][7] The trains are equipped with kavach train protection and emergency talk back systems.[8][9] The service offers onboard catering with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options.[10]
Services
The first commercial service was launched on 17 January 2026.[11] Indian Railways plans to roll out 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper express trains by March 2027.[12]
| Service | Train number | Zone | Distance | Travel time | Speed | Approved on | Inaugural run | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum[a] | Average | |||||||
| Howrah–Kamakhya | 27575/27576 | NFR | 968 km (601 mi) | 14 hrs | 110 km/h (68 mph) | 68 km/h (42 mph) | 02 January 2026[13] | 17 January 2026[14] |
See also
Notes
- Maximum permissible speed as approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety