ICF aims to manufacture over 4,000 train coaches this year: Subba Rao, GM

Chennai, India (Metro Rail Today): Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is nearing a significant production milestone as it prepares to complete its order of Vande Bharat (VB) chair car coaches. With the chair car production almost complete, ICF is pivoting to the manufacture of sleeper variants, freight rakes, and high-speed trains. In an exclusive interaction with BusinessLine, U Subba Rao, General Manager of ICF, shared updates on upcoming projects and production targets.

ICF has so far produced 23 VB rakes, all in 20-car configurations. "We have a balance of 11 rakes to complete this year. That will close the VB chair car order," said Rao. With this phase wrapping up, the production unit is ready to shift its focus to sleeper variants.

ICF has already rolled out one 16-car configuration sleeper rake. The remaining nine of the first 10-rake order, manufactured by BEML, are nearly ready, with minor design adjustments underway. "In the next six months, all these trains will be ready," Rao added.

Additionally, ICF has received a fresh order for 50 sleeper rakes of 24-car configuration. The first of these is expected to roll out by October 2025.

Trials for the VB sleeper trains have been conducted at a top speed of 180 kmph. "The Commission of Railway Safety has given some observations related to safety and braking. We are addressing them, and the formalities will be completed in the next ten days," Rao confirmed.

ICF is also set to unveil its first Vande Bharat freight train. “The first rake will be rolled out between June and August, with a second expected soon after,” Rao said. By September 2025, both rakes should be operational.

ICF is playing a central role in India’s push toward high-speed rail. The factory has placed an order with BEML to produce two high-speed trains, each with eight cars. Work is underway to finalize components including propulsion systems, flooring, car bodies, and wheels. “We expect the trains to be ready and on wheels by mid-2027,” Rao stated.

Last year, ICF produced 3,007 coaches. This year, it’s targeting the historic milestone of 4,000 coaches, last achieved in 1920. “We’ve floated a tender to procure 600 general coaches from outside. This will help us reach a total of 4,200, even if there are delays here and there,” said Rao.

Indian Railways is intensifying efforts to replace old coaches with safer LHB coaches. "Now, all three production units – ICF, MCF, and RCF – have received large targets. The plan is to replace all old coaches in the next 2 to 3 years," Rao explained.

The three production units will manufacture approximately 10,000 coaches each in 2025 and 2026. ICF alone will contribute 4,000 coaches annually, with the rest being handled by MCF and RCF.