DELHI (Metro Rail News): Wabtec Corporation has secured orders worth US$94 million (around ₹839 crore) from Indian Railways to supply braking, door and gangway systems for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train programme. The contracts cover critical onboard equipment for the next generation of long-distance trains, with a focus on operational reliability, passenger safety and maintenance.
Announced on October 27, the orders include the supply of systems, integration support, testing and commissioning. Wabtec will also provide support aimed at maintaining the reliability of the equipment during service.
Vande Bharat sleeper braking and gangway systems in scope
The contracts cover three key components required for the operation of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets:
- Brake systems: Equipment for controlled and reliable train braking.
- Doors: Systems supporting passenger entry and exit.
- Gangways: Inter-coach connections that allow passengers and crew to move between coaches.
The scope also includes technical support for system integration, testing and commissioning. Wabtec said the equipment is intended to simplify maintenance and improve service availability, although the company has not disclosed the package-wise order values or delivery schedule.
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Pascal Schweitzer, President of Wabtec Transit, said the orders reflect the company’s role in India’s railway modernisation programme and its ability to meet the requirements of large-scale rail projects.
ICF to manufacture 50 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets
The orders support Indian Railways’ plan to introduce 50 Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets, which will be manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai. Each trainset is planned with 24 coaches and is intended for long-distance overnight travel. The sleeper variant will extend the Vande Bharat platform beyond its existing daytime intercity services.
The programme requires coordination between ICF, Indian Railways and multiple equipment suppliers to integrate onboard systems and prepare the trains for service. Braking, doors and gangways are among the systems that must meet operational and safety requirements before the trainsets enter passenger operations.
Wabtec builds on Indian rail business
The latest contracts add to Wabtec’s presence in India’s passenger rail market. The company supplies equipment and systems to the freight and transit rail sectors globally, including braking and other onboard technologies.
For the Vande Bharat Sleeper programme, its role is focused on selected onboard systems rather than the manufacture of complete trainsets. ICF will remain responsible for building the trains. The company has not provided a timeline for deliveries or specified when the equipment will be installed on the first trainsets.
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