New Delhi, August 28: The South Western Railway changed their conventional rakes of the Vasco-da-Gama-Kulem Passenger Specials. They are now replaced with the new Diesel Electrical Multiple Unit or the DEMU rakes.
According to a press release, the first service of the Vasco-da-Gama-Kulem DEMU Special left from the Vasco-da-Gama on Thursday at 7.30 AM. This was the first DEMU Special of the Hubballi Division.
As per the changes made, Vasco-da-Gama-Kulem-Vasco-da-Gama Passenger Special (07342/07341) and Vasco-da-Gama-Kulem-Vasco-da-Gama Passenger Special (07343/07344) will now have new DEMU rakes. These trains will have a total of 8 car coaches each.
According to the release, in DEMU service, each car passenger carrying coach is having its own source of motive power fitted under the coach. This will allow the DEMU train to make speedy acceleration and retardation. This makes it ideal to operate as shuttles between stations situated at short intervals. The services ideally suited for DEMU type are the local passenger – majorly for its integral advantages, offering better comfort and is most suited for short-distance commuter trains.
One more advantage of the DEMU train is that it can operate in both directions as there are driving cabins at both ends of the trains. DEMU trains don’t need cumbersome engine reversal at terminal stations, which saves a lot of time. DEMU cars can accommodate 105 passengers, unlike conventional coaches wherein the seating capacity is 90.
New Service - The South Western Railway said that on Thursday, along with the DEMU service, one more train service between Vasco-da-Gama and Kulem was commenced.