Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Railways Set To Phase Out ICF Coaches By FY28
Railways is replacing older ICF train coaches with newer LHB coaches.
About 1,600 train groups have already been changed.
Around 340 to 350 groups still need to be converted.
Officials expect the work to finish by FY28.
After that, new mail and express trains will mainly use Amrit Bharat push-pull designs.
These trains use engines at both ends to reduce jolts and improve acceleration.
Their couplers are designed to make higher-speed travel safer.
Some older ICF trains will still be used for special and departmental services.
Railways expects to convert the remaining 340-350 ICF rakes on regular mail and express trains by FY28.
More than 1,600 of roughly 2,000 rakes have already been converted to LHB coaches.
After the conversion, Railways will stop manufacturing loose LHB coaches and shift mail and express production toward Amrit Bharat push-pull trains.
Amrit Bharat trains use dual locomotives and semi-permanent, semi-rigid draft couplers intended to improve safety and acceleration.
Some ICF rakes will remain in service for special, on-demand and departmental trains, while corroded coaches face expedited scrapping guidelines.
- Who
- The Ministry of Railways and Railway Board are overseeing the conversion, with railway production units involved.
- What
- Railways is converting remaining ICF coach rakes to LHB coaches and moving future mail and express production toward Amrit Bharat push-pull trains.
- When
- The remaining conversion is expected to be completed by financial year 2027-2028, or FY28.
- Where
- Across India’s railway network and production units.
- Why
- The shift is intended to improve safety and train performance, following concerns about ICF coaches telescoping during collisions.
- Remaining ICF rakes
- Approximately 340-350
- Total rakes
- About 2,000
- Rakes already converted
- More than 1,600
- Expected completion
- FY28, or financial year 2027-2028
- Typical rake size
- About 24 coaches
- Future train platform
- Amrit Bharat push-pull trains
- ICF use after conversion
- Special, on-demand and departmental services