Visakhapatnam-Kirandul train fitted with new LHB coaches

In a bid to make travel from Visakhapatnam to Araku and then Kirandul more comfortable, East Coast Railway (ECoR) is going to introduce modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches in the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul-Visakhapatnam train. This train, consisting of Vistadome coaches, is the preferred train to Araku. The train will start running with these new coaches from 23 November, 2021. 

East Coast Railway has been converting conventional Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches in important trains to LHB coaches. LHB coaches are said to be more comfortable for passengers. But most importantly, these coaches are safer than ICF coaches, being more fire retardant. The coaches are also very spacious, with an additional passenger capacity of nine persons compared to ICF coaches. These coaches are also lighter and hence, add to the potential speed of the train. 

The train’s composition has now been revised to have 13 LHB coaches, consisting of 2 Vistadome coaches, 1 Sleeper Class coach, 8 General Second Class coaches, 1 Second Class cum Luggage Van and 1 Generator Motor Car. 

The number 18551 Visakhapatnam-Kirandul train will start running with the revised composition from 23 November, 2021 onwards while the train in the opposite direction, no. 18552 from Kirandul to Visakhapatnam, will begin from 24 November, 2021. 

Meanwhile, the new Visakhapatnam-Araku special train no. 08525 will be flagged off on 22 November, 2021, with 2 Vistadome LHB coaches. Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, will be visiting the Visakhapatnam railway station and flagging off this train. This train will begin at a tentative departure time of 11 AM to reach Araku at 2 PM. Along the journey, this special train will have stops at Simhachalam, Kottavalasa, Shrungavarapukota and Borra Guhalu.