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  • Test run of Chinese train coaches conducted in Karachi

    Test run of Chinese train coaches conducted in Karachi File photo Test run of Chinese train coaches conducted in Karachi

    The 46 fully-furnished high-speed train coaches, or complete units, received from China last week experienced their first test run on Thursday from Karachi’s Cantonment railway station to Rohri station.

    The coaches, designed to run on local tracks at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, were pulled at a much lower speed of 120km/hr and even lesser to test their movement, brakes etc in the trial run.

    The coaches are supposed to make travel more comfortable and safe while helping Pakistan Railways to improve its services. It is said that after the trial, the coaches will be added to the Green Line that will run between Islamabad’s Margalla Station and Karachi in December only.

    The Chinese coaches are painted in PR’s traditional green colour from the outside. The interior of the various coaches has air-conditioning and heating systems. Some coaches are meant for the economy class and some others for parlour with nice comfortable seats.

    Besides luggage cars, there is extra space within the coaches in the shape of racks for hand-carry luggage. Provision of dining car and more kitchens and kitchenettes is available in the coaches, too.

    If the AC coaches had purple and blue seats and bunks, the parlour coaches have burgundy and pink seats with plenty of legroom, folding tables.

    There are LED screens fixed on the back of each headrest to help passengers beat boredom during their journey. From inside, the coaches look more like the business class of a luxurious passenger aircraft.