Indian Railways will replace all old ICF coaches with modern LHB rakes by 2028

Indian Railways is currently executing a massive modernization program to upgrade passenger safety and comfort across the network. The national transporter is systematically phasing out older Integral Coach Factory rakes in favor of modern Linke Hofmann Busch coaches. This complete transition of regular train services to advanced coaches is scheduled for completion by the 2027-28 financial year. Passengers can look forward to significantly enhanced riding comfort and improved journey experiences as this major fleet overhaul progresses across all zones. Indian Railways will complete the full transition from ICF to LHB coaches by the 2027-28 financial year.

Recent official directives issued after the PCME Conference-2026 have instructed all Zonal Railways to prioritize LHB coaches exclusively for regular train operations. LHB rakes will no longer be diverted to Train on Demand special services, which will continue utilizing older equipment until the complete phase-out concludes. The Ministry of Railways highlights that LHB designs offer vastly superior safety features, including advanced anti-climbing technology and improved suspension systems that minimize jerks during high-speed travel.

Future Production Shift Toward Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat

Looking ahead beyond the current conversion phase, Indian Railways will stop producing conventional LHB coaches starting next year. Manufacturing lines will pivot entirely toward advanced self-propelled train sets like the Vande Bharat and the upcoming Amrit Bharat 3.0 models. The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai has already confirmed production orders for seven Amrit Bharat 3.0 rakes. Additionally, the national carrier has set a production target of 4802 LHB coaches for the 2026-27 financial year to support the ongoing fleet modernization before the ultimate shift to self-propelled rakes.