Vistadome coaches allow rail passengers to experience the natural beauty of the surroundings in a whole new way.
The Tejas Express train operating between Mumbai and Karmali in Goa added the second vistadome coach recently. But what is a vistadome coach and why is it added to trains? Come let's find out.
Vistadome coaches are an exciting addition to the Indian Railways. These coaches offer passengers a panoramic view of the passing landscape. With large windows and transparent, see-through roofs, a vistadome coach provides a hindrance-free view of the surroundings. As they allow you to take in the beauty of the surroundings from every angle, they have become a huge hit among rail passengers.
A boost for tourism
Vistadome coaches have been introduced in several train routes across the country to promote tourism and to make rail journeys memorable for travellers. One of the most popular routes for such glass-covered coaches is the Araku Valley route in Andhra Pradesh which is known for its lush greenery, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. Another popular route is the Kalka-Shimla route in north India which is known for its stunning views of the Himalayan range. The vistadome train service is available in sections of Assam, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh too.
Breathtaking view
The Konkan belt also offers a breathtaking view of waterfalls, rivers, valleys, tunnels, lush green fields, and creeks. One vistadome coach was attached to the Mumbai-Karmali Tejas Express in September 2022. With the attachment of the second vistadome coach on April 14, 2023, the Tejas Express has become the first in the country to have two such coaches on both ends of the train, according to Railway officials.
The vistadome coaches are air-conditioned, and the seats cushioned to provide maximum comfort. They also have other attractions such as LED lights, rotatable seats, GPS-based information system, electrically operated automatic sliding compartment doors, wide side sliding doors for specially-abled people and toilets with ceramic tile flooring. The viewing gallery with huge glass windows on three sides is one of the biggest attractions of these coaches, from where passengers love to click photographs.
DID YOU KNOW?
*The first vistadome coach in a train in India was introduced in Andhra Pradesh in 2017 on the beautiful Visakhapatnam-Araku route.
*There are over 30 vistadome coaches at present that mainly cover routes boasting exceptional scenic beauty such as rolling hills, gurgling rivers, and lush forests.
Picture Credit : Google
