Indian Railways unveils ‘Rudrastra’, nation’s longest freight train at 4.5 km

The six-rake, 354-wagon ‘Rudrastra’ covers 200 km in five hours, marking a milestone in freight efficiency on the Grand Chord route.

Indian Railways has achieved a new milestone with the launch of its longest-ever freight train, ‘Rudrastra’, stretching an impressive 4.5 kilometres. The record-breaking formation was created by linking six standard-length rakes into a single operational unit, carrying a total of 354 wagons powered by seven locomotives.

The Rudrastraembarked on its maiden journey from Ganjkhwaja station in Uttar Pradesh to Garhwa Road station in Jharkhand, covering a 200-kilometre stretch in approximately five hours at an average speed of 40 km/h. Part of its route traversed the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) before switching to conventional railway tracks.

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According to railway officials, combining six rakes into one train eliminates the need for repetitive crew deployment, routing, and scheduling. This innovation significantly reduces manpower requirements, operational delays, and costs while enhancing the efficiency of bulk freight movement, a major boost for India’s growing logistics sector.

The operational feat was made possible through meticulous technical planning by the DDU Division of the East Central Railway. The division coordinated wagon inspections, repairs, and assembly to ensure the train’s readiness for the demanding journey.

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the colossal train on X, calling it a proud moment for Indian Railways. Officials have hailed the project as a showcase of teamwork, innovation, and operational excellence.

'Rudrastra' - Bharat's longest freight train (4.5 km long) pic.twitter.com/Ufk2MFnpfl

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 8, 2025

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