Indian Railways’ Northeast Frontier zone introduces new rakes with aluminium interiors to ensure safety and comfort

As a major step to enhance passenger safety and comfort, Indian Railways' Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone has switched from traditional rakes to LHB rake designs in order to revamp passenger safety and comfort.

The Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches are the passenger coaches of Indian Railways that were developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany and mostly produced by Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, India. The Indian Railways also stated once that the LHB coaches are manufactured with anti-collision technology which causes less fatality during accidents.

However, these coaches are made of light-weight, low corrosive stainless steel and have higher carrying capacity, speed potential, and better safety features as compared to ICF coaches. Aluminium is used for interiors, making the rakes lighter compared to their conventional counterparts. Furthermore, all coaches are equipped with an 'Advanced Pneumatic Disc Brake System' that allows efficient braking at high speeds, modular interiors that incorporate lighting, luggage racks and a wider window.

As reported by the Indian Railways, seven trains of NF Railway were converted from ICF to LHB during 2021-22. Hence, a total of 40 trains deriving from the NF Railway zone are now changed into LHB and are running with high speed and modern LHB coaches that deliver more comfort and safety to the passengers.

LHB coaches are more comfortable to ride in than conventional rakes due to their hydraulic shock-absorbers and improved suspension systems.