The last remaining non-AC double-decker coaches of the Mumbai Central-Valsad Fast Passenger train (09023/24) are likely to be retired on 4th January as their codal life has expired.
Western Railway (WR) has announced that these coaches will be replaced by conventional ICF rakes to meet passenger demand.
According to a senior officer of WR, 4th January will be the last day of the non-AC double-decker Mumbai Central-Valsad-Mumbai Central fast passenger train.
However, the date of the last run of double decker coaches is yet to be announced officially, but sources said that from January 5th, this train will run with a 22-coach conventional ICF rake.
"The train, which currently operates with an 18-coach rake, will run with 22 ICF coaches after the transition. This change aims to accommodate the passengers of the outgoing double-decker coaches, which have been a distinctive feature of Mumbai’s train services," said an official.
According to a notification issued by WR on January 2, 2025 the competent authority has approved the replacement plan due to a shortage of double-decker coaches.
The new ICF rakes, featuring both seating and upper berths, will offer comparable capacity to the existing double-decker coaches.
"Each double-decker coach has a seating capacity of 136 passengers, with the total reaching 250-260 when including standing passengers in corridors and near doors.
The ICF general coaches, while officially seating around 100 passengers, provide an additional 60 seats via upper berths, bringing the total seated capacity to 160.
When factoring in standing passengers, the total capacity of an ICF coach is also approximately 250" said an official adding that to ensure there is no reduction in capacity, WR plans to add four additional coaches to the train, increasing the rake size from 18 to 22 coaches.
According to sources, WR is considering repurposing the phased-out double-decker coaches into "restaurants on wheels."
If approved, this would be India’s first such initiative involving double-decker coaches.“The last non-AC double-decker train of Mumbai is being phased out as its codal life has expired. We are exploring the possibility of converting these coaches into restaurants on wheels, which would preserve their legacy in a unique way,” a WR official stated.
