Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala

The foundation stone for Rail Coach Factory was laid by then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi on 17 August 1985 with an initial cost of {{INRConvert|423|c}}. The objective of this project was to enhance production capacity for the Railways and generate employment for the youth of Punjab. The unit commenced production just 2 years later on 19 September 1987, and rolled out its first coach a few months later on 31 March 1988.{{cite web |url=https://rcf.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294,476,598 |title=Major Milestones |date=29 June 2023 |website=rcf.indianrailways.gov.in |publisher=RCF, Kapurthala |access-date=6 January 2024}}

As of March 2022, it has manufactured more than 41,000 coaches of over 60 different types, which make up over 50% of the total production of coaches on Indian Railways. Some of these are:

• 'Tejas' high-speed coach (produced only by RCF Kapurthala)
• Non-AC general coach (BG/MG)
• Non-AC luggage-cum-brake van (BG/MG)
• Refrigerated parcel van (BG)
• Accident relief train (BG)

File:NewDeli Mumbai Rajdhani AC 2 tier new livery.jpg

During FY 2021-22, Rail Coach Factory produced 1862 coaches, which was its highest ever. Out of these, 1840 were stainless steel LHB coaches, while the remaining 22 were 3-phase MEMU coaches. During this year, the unit also crossed the 40,000 mark in cumulative coach production.{{cite news |date=1 April 2022 |title=RCF-Kapurthala records highest coach production of 1,862 this fiscal |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/rcf-kapurthala-records-highest-coach-production-of-1-862-this-fiscal-382604 |work=Tribune India |location=Kapurthala |access-date=6 January 2024}} Up until March 2022, RCF has produced 41,014 coaches of more than 60 design variants, both AC and non-AC. This comprises more than 50% of the total stock of coaches running on Indian Railways. The factory, in association with DRDE, has also developed a highly cost-effective indigenous technology for the treatment of biowaste in coaches.{{Cite web |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/business/record-coach-production-at-rcf-kapurthala/39435.article |title=Record coach production at RCF Kapurthala |date=25 April 2014 |website=railwaygazette.com |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=6 January 2024}}

During FY 2015-16, the factory manufactured 120 LHB coaches to be exported to Bangladesh at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|367|c}}, with the first consignment of 40 sets dispatched in March 2016.{{Cite news |date=10 February 2016 |title=Railways to export 120 LHB coaches to Bangladesh, first consignment of 40 to be dispatched in March |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/railways-to-export-120-lhb-coaches-to-bangladesh-first-consignment-of-40-to-be-dispatched-in-march/articleshow/50927771.cms |work=Economic Times |access-date=11 February 2016}}{{cite news |date=10 February 2016 |title=Railways to export coaches to Bangladesh for Rs 367 crore |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/railways-to-export-120-lhb-coaches-to-bangladesh-116021000322_1.html |work=PTI |location=New Delhi |access-date=6 January 2024}} Before this (in 2006), the factory had already exported metre gauge coaches to Myanmar and Senegal.{{cite news |last=Roy |first=Vijay |date=20 January 2013 |title=RCF to roll out non-AC stainless steel coaches |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/rcf-to-roll-out-non-ac-stainless-steel-coaches-111041300055_1.html |work=Business Standard |location=New Delhi |access-date=6 January 2024 |quote=RCF also exported coaches to Myanmar Railways, Senegal-Mali and other African countries. Commenting upon exports for the current year, an official said, "We have an order of four sets of 16 diesel electric multiple units (DEMU) coaches from Senegal."}}

• Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah
• Electric Locomotive Factory, Madhepura
• Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Asansol
• Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi
• Integral Coach Factory, Chennai
• Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli
• Rail Wheel Plant, Bela
• Rail Wheel Factory, Yelahanka
• Titagarh Wagons, Titagarh
• List of locomotive builders by countries

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{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.rcf.indianrailways.gov.in}}

{{Indian Railways}}

{{Railways in Northern India}}

Category:Coach and wagon manufacturers of India

Category:Kapurthala

Category:Economy of Punjab, India

Category:1986 establishments in Punjab, India