More trains, including Jan Shatabdi, Sabari Express, in TVM Railway Division upgraded to LHB coaches

Kollam: More trains under the Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division are being upgraded to modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches. The Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode-Thiruvananthapuram Jan Shatabdi Express and the Thiruvananthapuram-Secunderabad and Secunderabad-Thiruvananthapuram Sabari Expresses will soon transition to LHB coaches. These German-designed coaches offer enhanced safety and comfort.

The shift to LHB coaches comes as railway tracks on the Thiruvananthapuram-Ernakulam route have been upgraded to support train speeds of up to 100 km/h. The Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Jan Shatabdi Express has already been converted to LHB coaches. These modern coaches, built with German technology, are capable of running at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

At present, Jan Shatabdi trains are running with coaches that are over 10 years old. For safety reasons, the coaches are being replaced before reaching their full service life. Typically, the lifespan of a coach is 25 years.

Most express trains under the Thiruvananthapuram Division have already been converted to LHB coaches. Made of stainless steel, these coaches offer greater safety and come with wider seats and extended legroom. Indian Railways first introduced LHB coaches in 2000. 

Initially imported from Germany, these coaches are now manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala in Punjab.