Ever Wondered How Many Tons Of Air Conditioning (AC) Are Present In Train Coaches?

Train travel is a common form of transportation throughout most of the world. Even if you ask me, I would also prefer trains because trains give me a totally different kind of experience every time. Given the fact that traveling by train is quite economical, people from different walks of life, travel by it.

People utilize trains to go where they’re going, whether it’s for business or for fun. Although using the train has many benefits, there are certain issues that travelers must deal with. Nevertheless, railways always add some amazing facilities to make passengers comfortable.

However, among all facilities, air conditioning has grown to be a crucial component of the overall design of railway coaches as Indian Railways expands its network and introduces new trains to enhance the traveling experience.

Especially during hot and humid weather, the use of air conditioning in trains has significantly improved passenger comfort. Before air conditioning, traveling by train might be intolerable, especially in the summer, which frequently left people feeling uneasy and restless. However, since air conditioning has been introduced, travelers may now experience a moderate temperature inside the train, making it a lot more enjoyable experience.

But have you ever thought about the air conditioning system installed in the AC coaches of trains?

As far as I know, we need different types ACs for our different types of establishments including homes and offices. So, imagine how many ACs a train coaches need?

The Railways offer various categories of coaches with different facilities and fares. The AC coaches are designed to accommodate approximately 72 passengers with uniform cooling across the coach.

However, the capacity of the air conditioning system installed in a coach depends upon its size and structure. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is the oldest railway coach-making company, and they install ACs based on the bogie. Nonetheless, there is no fixed criterion for the capacity of the ACs installed in a train coach.

Still, I distinguished it into different categories for better understanding. Have a look at it:

AC system capacity in an ICF coach

The first AC coach of ICF is equipped with a 6.7-ton AC. In contrast, a second AC bogie has two ACs that weigh 5.2 tonnes apiece, and a third AC bogie has two ACs that weigh 7 tonnes each.

The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is one of the earliest production units of independent India.

AC system capacity in LHB coaches

When compared to this, air conditioners found on fast-moving trains are far superior and distinct. They cool at the same rate regardless of the vehicle’s speed. LHB, or Linke Hoffman Busch, carriages are now produced for trains. An LHB coach had two 7-ton air conditioners installed, totaling around 14 tonnes of air conditioning.

Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coach is a passenger coach of Indian Railways that is developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany and mostly produced by Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, India.

Throughout the train, there are powerful air conditioners. It may be argued that the passengers’ experiences are getting better and better thanks to the new coaches’ air conditioning systems. In contrast to ICF, LHB is the coach of modern, fast trains. For this reason, they have large air conditioners installed.

Also read: What Does RAC In Train Means? Understanding RAC Full Form