Central Railway has announced that conventional ICF coaches in several trains will be replaced with modern LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches to enhance passenger safety, comfort, and overall travel experience. The change will be implemented on a permanent basis across eight trains starting from mid-January 2026.
Trains to Feature LHB Coaches and Revised Compositions
The affected trains and their implementation dates are as follows:
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)–Chennai Express
- Train No. 22157 CSMT–Chennai Express: From 14.01.2026 ex CSMT
- Train No. 22158 Chennai–CSMT Express: From 17.01.2026 ex Chennai
Revised composition: 2 AC-2 Tier, 3 AC-3 Tier, 5 Sleeper, 4 General Second, 1 General Second cum Guard’s Brake Van, 1 Generator Van (16 LHB coaches)
2. Pune–Veraval Express
- Train No. 11088 Pune–Veraval: From 15.01.2026 ex Pune
- Train No. 11087 Veraval–Pune: From 17.01.2026 ex Veraval
3. Pune–Bhagat ki Kothi Express
- Train No. 11090 Pune–Bhagat ki Kothi: From 18.01.2026 ex Pune
- Train No. 11089 Bhagat ki Kothi–Pune: From 20.01.2026 ex Bhagat ki Kothi
4. Pune–Bhuj Express
- Train No. 11092 Pune–Bhuj: From 19.01.2026 ex Pune
- Train No. 11091 Bhuj–Pune: From 21.01.2026 ex Bhuj
5. Pune–Ahmedabad Express
- Train No. 22186 Pune–Ahmedabad: From 21.01.2026 ex Pune
- Train No. 22185 Ahmedabad–Pune: From 22.01.2026 ex Ahmedabad
Revised composition for trains 11088/87, 11090/89, 11092/91 & 22186/85:
2 AC-2 Tier, 4 AC-3 Tier, 8 Sleeper, 4 General Second, 1 General Second cum Guard’s Brake Van, 1 Generator Van (20 LHB coaches)
6. Kolhapur–Nagpur Express
- Train No. 11404 Kolhapur–Nagpur: From 19.01.2026 ex Kolhapur
- Train No. 11403 Nagpur–Kolhapur: From 20.01.2026 ex Nagpur
7. Kolhapur–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
- Train No. 12147 Kolhapur–Hazrat Nizamuddin: From 20.01.2026 ex Kolhapur
- Train No. 12148 Hazrat Nizamuddin–Kolhapur: From 22.01.2026 ex Hazrat Nizamuddin
8. Kolhapur–Ahmedabad Express
- Train No. 11050 Kolhapur–Ahmedabad: From 24.01.2026 ex Kolhapur
- Train No. 11049 Ahmedabad–Kolhapur: From 25.01.2026 ex Ahmedabad
Revised composition for trains 11404/03, 12147/48 & 11050/49:
2 AC-2 Tier, 4 AC-3 Tier, 6 Sleeper, 4 General Second, 1 General Second cum Guard’s Brake Van, 1 Generator Van (18 LHB coaches)
Benefits of LHB Coaches
An LHB coach is a modern, stainless steel rail coach designed in Germany and manufactured in India. According to Central Railway, LHB coaches are equipped with enhanced safety features including anti-climbing devices, fire-retardant materials, and disc brakes. They offer higher operating speeds of 160 km/h with a design speed up to 200 km/h, compared to 140 km/h of older ICF coaches.
Other passenger-centric features include longer car bodies for more space, LED lighting, 5-pin charging sockets, four emergency openable windows, and an Emergency Light Unit (ELU) with a six-hour backup.
The first LHB coaches were imported from Germany for the Shatabdi Express in 2000, while domestic production began in 2001. They are currently manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala; Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; and Modern Coach Factory, Rae Bareilly. Gradually, LHB coaches are replacing ICF coaches across the Indian Railways network.