Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: Big Production Shift for Indian Railways
Indian Railways shifts focus to Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. ICF Chennai to start production in 2027 with 24-coach variants.
Indian Railways is embarking on a massive strategic shift, pivoting its manufacturing focus toward the highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. This move is set to redefine long-distance overnight travel across the country.
The Sleeper Train Manufacturing Roadmap
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai is currently laying the groundwork to manufacture 40 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets. While the preparation phase is underway, full-scale production activities are scheduled to commence in January 2027.
The project involves multiple key partners to ensure successful delivery. BEML is engaged in manufacturing 16-coach trainsets, while the contracts for the propulsion systems of these sleeper configurations have already been awarded to Medha Servo Drives and Alstom.
Shatabdi Replacement: Chair Car Production to Continue
Despite previous reports suggesting a halt in the production of chair car coaches, the Railway Board has officially clarified its stance. The manufacturing of Vande Bharat chair car coaches will continue, as part of a strategic initiative to replace the aging Shatabdi Express rakes.
The Railways has outlined an ambitious plan to produce 1,500 chair car coaches—the equivalent of 88 rakes—over a four-year period spanning from 2026–27 to 2029–30. In this regard, RCF Kapurthala has received conditional approval from the Railway Board for its inaugural Vande Bharat chair car, though officials noted that specific electrical defects must be resolved first.
The Massive 24-Coach Sleeper Variant
One of the most significant developments is the design of an extensive 24-coach sleeper variant. ICF Chennai is expected to finalize this design by mid-November 2026. This high-capacity configuration is designed to offer premium comfort with a specific coach layout:
- 19 AC 3-tier coaches
- 4 AC 2-tier coaches
- 1 First AC coach
A prototype of this 24-coach sleeper is targeted for completion by May or June 2027. Once assembled, the prototype will undergo mandatory safety and operational trials to ensure it meets all required standards before being deployed for public service.