Zones Moving to MEMU/DEMU Rakes for Pass. Trains, SWR Switches Vasco-Kulem Service to DEMU Rake

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 Unit (DEMU rake) at Pune

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:

  1. Faster turnaround at terminating station because the train can be driven from both ends
  2. No locomotive required for shunting work
  3. Less crew needed (in theory) as one motorman can handle a train. No assistant needed.
  4. Significantly better acceleration and braking
  5. 3 phase traction based xEMU rakes are more reliable, require less maintenance.
  6. MEMUs can regenerate power and save electricity costs
  7. New xEMU rakes are vestibuled, thus making it easier for passengers to move between coaches

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