50 Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: Medha & Alstom Power the Propulsion as Wabtec Wins ₹839 Crore Order

For the 50 new 24-coach Vande Bharat Sleeper trains being built at ICF Chennai, Medha Servo Drives (33 rakes) and Alstom (17 rakes) are supplying the electric propulsion systems. Now, Wabtec has won a ₹839 crore ($94M) order to manufacture the high-speed brakes, automatic flush doors, and sealed inter-coach gangways for all 50 trains.

Indian Railways is expanding its overnight high-speed rail network with 50 new Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets (24 coaches each, totaling 1,200 coaches) being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. While Medha Servo Drives and Alstom are supplying the electric propulsion systems to power these 50 trains, Wabtec Corporation has now joined the project with a ₹839 crore ($94 million) contract to supply the braking, door, and gangway systems.

Medha Servo & Alstom Supplying Propulsion for the 50 Rakes

Before ordering the braking and door systems, Indian Railways awarded the contracts for the electric propulsion systems—the main traction equipment that powers the train—on December 17, 2024 (PIB, The Indian Express):

▪ Medha Servo Drives (33 Rakes / 792 Coaches): Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives is supplying the traction converters, motors, and control electronics for 33 trainsets.

▪ Alstom (17 Rakes / 408 Coaches):

French rail manufacturer Alstom won a €144 million (~₹1,285 crore) contract to supply its Mitrac traction propulsion systems for 17 trainsets, along with 5 years of maintenance services.

▪ 24-Coach Formation: Unlike the initial 16-coach sleeper rakes, all 50 of these ICF trains feature a longer 24-coach setup with a dedicated pantry car (Indian Rail Dynamics).

Wabtec’s Entry: ₹839 Crore ($94M) Order for Brakes, Doors & Gangways

Electro-Pneumatic Braking Systems, Automatic Flush Plug Doors, and Sealed Vestibule Gangways

On October 27, 2026, Wabtec Corporation secured a $94 million (₹839 crore) order from Indian Railways to supply three key onboard systems for these same 50 trainsets (1,200 coaches) over the next two financial years (Business Standard):

Electro-Pneumatic Braking Systems: High-speed axle-mounted disc brakes, calipers, and wheel slide protection (WSP) units that bring the train to a smooth, safe stop from 160–200 km/h without wheel skidding.

Automatic Flush Plug Doors: Aerodynamic sliding doors built to EN 14752 safety standards and ICF Specification 306 that lock completely flush with the outer train body, blocking wind noise and keeping cabin cooling intact.

Sealed Vestibule Gangways: Fire-retardant (EN 45545 HL3), soundproof enclosed walkways connecting the coaches so passengers can walk safely and quietly between all 24 cars at night.

Key Changes Made Specifically for the Sleeper Train

Official corporate photo of Ajay Mani, Managing Director of Wabtec Transit India

Ajay Mani, Managing Director of Wabtec Transit India, explained that turning a chair-car system into an overnight sleeper required three major technical changes :

24 Coach sleeper vande bharat required three major technical changes

▪ Underframe & Water Tank Layout: Overnight sleeper trains need much larger water tanks for toilets underneath the coach, so the brake valves, mountings, and air pipes had to be completely redesigned and shifted.

▪ Dynamic Load & Brake Calibration: Three-tier sleeper berths and heavier passenger loads change the train's weight balance, requiring re-tuned braking software for jerk-free stopping while passengers sleep.

▪ AI Predictive Maintenance: To support Indian Railways' 35-year maintenance rules, Wabtec ForgeWorks AI sensors monitor the equipment in real time and increase overhaul gaps from 6 years to 8–9 years.

Manufacturing in Hosur and Rohtak

Hosur Plant (Tamil Nadu): Wabtec’s main Hosur factory will manufacture and assemble the automatic plug doors, gangways, and electronic brake units.

Rohtak Plant (Haryana): Wabtec’s Rohtak campus will make the axle-mounted brake discs, distributor valves, calipers, and friction pads, helping Wabtec India reach its ₹5,000 crore annual revenue goal by 2029–30 (The Hindu).

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