Mangaluru: Trial runs of the VB express on the ghat stretch of the Mangaluru–Hassan–Bengaluru railway section will be conducted between Aug 10 to Aug 20, with preparatory activities phase starting today, railway officials said.The Mysuru division public relations officer told TOI that preparatory phases have begun, and the actual trials will be conducted between Aug 11 and Aug 20. The trials will be conducted with caution, particularly in view of recent restoration works carried out on the section following monsoon-related disruptions, he said, adding that trial runs will be carried out at low speeds with additional safety precautions in place.At present, the ghat section has a restricted speed of 20 kmph after the recent landslide, which is expected to be increased to 30 kmph, the designated section speed, once the track fitness is fully restored. The VB rake sanctioned for the trials is currently stationed at Pandavapura halt in Mandya district.The train sets are manufactured at the integral coach factory, Chennai, and have been allotted to the south western railway zone recently. One of the key features being assessed during the trials is the automatic emergency braking system.The PRO explained that the system operates based on pre-fed route parameters and can automatically apply brakes when required. The AEB system is important for the ghat sections, where steep gradients can lead to rolling movement even after the train is brought to a halt. Railway authorities said that multiple departments, including mechanical, electrical, operations, and security, will participate in the trials conducted by the Research Design and Standards Organisation.The PRO also said that work for the quick coach watering facility at Subrahmanya Road Railway station is underway. Officials said that any extension of the service beyond Mangaluru, including towards Madgaon, will depend on a decision by the Railway Board. This will pave the way for the much-awaited Vande Bharat service between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. The electrification on the route was completed in Dec 2025.
