As zones continue to switch passenger train services to MEMUs or DEMUs, South Western Railway has announced replacing the conventional loco-hauled rake of the Vasco Da Gama – Kulem passenger with a DEMU rake based service from today.
The new service has 8 coaches. The first run was today from Vasco Da Gama at 0730 hours. The new DEMU rake for the service has cost Rs. 42 crores, according to a statement from South Western Railway.
SWR has introduced one more train service between Vasco Da Gama and Kulem from today. Train No. 07379 Kulem- Vasco Da Gama DEMU Special will depart from Kulem at 12:20 hrs. and reach Vasco Da Gama at 14:10 hrs. In return direction Train No. 07380 Vasco Da Gama-Kulem DEMU Special will depart from Vasco Da Gama at 13:05 hrs. and reach Kulem at 15:00 hrs.
Enroute, the train has stoppages at Kalem, Sanvordem-Curchorem, Chandargaon, Sanjuje Da Arey, Madgaon, Suravali, Majorda, Cansaulim, Sankval, Dabolim in both directions.
DEMU Rake Operational Benefits
Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU) or MEMUs (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) rakes are a configuration of specially designed railway coaches fitted with their own propulsion system. These rakes do not require a locomotive to haul them.
Multiple Unit configurations are fast replacing the old loco+coach configuration used on many slow passenger trains across the country. This is because MEMUs and DEMUs offer multiple operational benefits and allow better utilisation of rolling stock.
Key benefits:
- Faster turnaround at terminating station because the train can be driven from both ends
- No locomotive required for shunting work
- Less crew needed (in theory) as one motorman can handle a train. No assistant needed.
- Significantly better acceleration and braking
- 3 phase traction based xEMU rakes are more reliable, require less maintenance.
- MEMUs can regenerate power and save electricity costs
- New xEMU rakes are vestibuled, thus making it easier for passengers to move between coaches
