Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches are the passenger compartments of Indian Railways that have been developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany.
In 1999, the railways imported a set of coaches from Linke-Hoffman-Busch (Now a part of Alstom) for testing and use in India. After a few glitches, they slowly began to gain popularity. Today, LHB coaches are manufactured by the Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala) under a Transfer of Technology agreement.
LHB coaches are characterised by a sleeker finish than ICF coaches, better suspension, sound reduction and ride quality, not to mention significantly larger windows that lack the heavy tinting seen in the most ICF AC coaches. They are also safer than ICF coaches in the event of an accident or collision. LHB coaches are longer than ICF coaches, and seat layouts in LHB and ICF coaches differ.
LS = Second class non self-generating.
LS3 = Second class non self-generating.
LS4 = Second class non self-generating General Seating.
LSCN = Second class 3-tier sleeper.
LWACCW = AC2 Air-conditioned 2-tier sleeping-car (52 berths)
LWACCN = AC3 Air-conditioned 3-tier sleeping-car (72 berths).
LWCBAC = Air-conditioned pantry/kitchen/buffet car.
LWFAC = AC1 Air-conditioned first class sleeping-car (24 berths).
LWFCWAC = Composite coach with air-conditioned AC1 sleeping-compartments and AC2 2-tier sleeping-compartments.
LWFCZAC = Air-conditioned executive chair car (56 seats).
LWLRRM = Luggage/generator/brake van.
LWSCN = 3-tier Sleeper.
LWSCZAC = Air-conditioned chair car (78 seats).
LWSCZ = Chair car.
Coach TypeDescriptionSleeping
CapacitySitting
Capacity
1A LWFAC Air-conditioned first class sleeping-car 24 24
2A LWACCW Air-conditioned 2-tier sleeping-car 54 54
3A LWACCN Air-conditioned 3-tier sleeping-car 72 72
SL LSCN Second class 3-tier sleeper 78 78
EC LWFCZAC Air-conditioned executive chair car 56
CC LWSCZAC Air-conditioned chair car 78
2S LWSCZ Chair car 78
II LGS/LS Second class 99
PC LWCBAC Air-conditioned pantry/kitchen/buffet car
EOG LWLRRM Luggage/generator/brake van
In 1999, the railways imported a set of coaches from Linke-Hoffman-Busch (Now a part of Alstom) for testing and use in India. After a few glitches, they slowly began to gain popularity. Today, LHB coaches are manufactured by the Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala) under a Transfer of Technology agreement.
LHB coaches are characterised by a sleeker finish than ICF coaches, better suspension, sound reduction and ride quality, not to mention significantly larger windows that lack the heavy tinting seen in the most ICF AC coaches. They are also safer than ICF coaches in the event of an accident or collision. LHB coaches are longer than ICF coaches, and seat layouts in LHB and ICF coaches differ.
LHB vs corten coaches
Manufacturing each LHB coach costs an average of Rs. 2 crore against Rs. 83 lakh for a coach made of corten steel (which is used for the usual coaches in use).
However, the Railways is considering a move to manufacture coaches with stainless steel body shells (of LHB design) without the "frills" to bring down the cost by about 35-40 per cent.
LHB coaches can run at a speed of up to 160 km per hour (kmph) whereas the other coaches being used can run at a maximum speed of 130 kmph.
Lifespan
Moreover, LHB stainless steel coaches have a life of "at least 35 years" while corten steel coaches have a life of 25 years after which they need to be scrapped.
Also, the corten steel coaches require relatively more repair and maintenance work. Thus, apart from higher repair and maintenance costs, they also remain idle for a longer duration.
"We are evaluating the financial implications of the proposal," point out official sources.
Apart from high cost, another matter that weighs against LHB coaches is the fact that it is difficult to have electricity generation capacity in each coach.
Coach Types
LGS = Second class self-generating.LS = Second class non self-generating.
LS3 = Second class non self-generating.
LS4 = Second class non self-generating General Seating.
LSCN = Second class 3-tier sleeper.
LWACCW = AC2 Air-conditioned 2-tier sleeping-car (52 berths)
LWACCN = AC3 Air-conditioned 3-tier sleeping-car (72 berths).
LWCBAC = Air-conditioned pantry/kitchen/buffet car.
LWFAC = AC1 Air-conditioned first class sleeping-car (24 berths).
LWFCWAC = Composite coach with air-conditioned AC1 sleeping-compartments and AC2 2-tier sleeping-compartments.
LWFCZAC = Air-conditioned executive chair car (56 seats).
LWLRRM = Luggage/generator/brake van.
LWSCN = 3-tier Sleeper.
LWSCZAC = Air-conditioned chair car (78 seats).
LWSCZ = Chair car.
Coach TypeDescriptionSleeping
CapacitySitting
Capacity
1A LWFAC Air-conditioned first class sleeping-car 24 24
2A LWACCW Air-conditioned 2-tier sleeping-car 54 54
3A LWACCN Air-conditioned 3-tier sleeping-car 72 72
SL LSCN Second class 3-tier sleeper 78 78
EC LWFCZAC Air-conditioned executive chair car 56
CC LWSCZAC Air-conditioned chair car 78
2S LWSCZ Chair car 78
II LGS/LS Second class 99
PC LWCBAC Air-conditioned pantry/kitchen/buffet car
EOG LWLRRM Luggage/generator/brake van