World’s Heaviest train: While ‘Rudrastra‘ has created history for India’s longest train, the global record still lies with Australia’s BHP Iron Ore Train. Running in Western Australia, the engineering marvel is 7.3 kilometres long, almost the length of 22 Eiffel Towers lined up end-to-end. The train consists of 682 wagons on 5,648 wheels and is driven by eight locomotives, strategically placed along its length and operated by a sophisticated system where one driver can operate all the engines simultaneously.
In a landmark achievement for India’s transportation sector, the Indian Railways has successfully operated the country’s longest freight train, ‘Rudrastra’. The massive train, stretching 4.5 kilometres in length, was assembled with 354 wagons and powered by seven locomotives working in perfect coordination. The trial run of ‘Rudrastra’ was conducted from Ganj Khwaja station in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli district to Garhwa Road Junction in Jharkhand, covering around 200 km in just over five hours. The East Central Railway said the feat marks a major step forward in improving freight transportation efficiency in India.
World’s Longest Train: Australia’s BHP Iron Ore Giant
The BHP Iron Ore Train is designed to transport huge volumes of iron ore from Western Australia’s Yandi Mine to Port Hedland, covering a 275 km route in about 10 hours. Its record-breaking payload stands at 99,734 tonnes of iron ore, contributing to a total train weight of over 100,000 tonnes. Despite its length, the entire train is controlled by a single driver in the lead locomotive, thanks to an ultra-modern distributed power control system. This allows all eight locomotives—sometimes spaced nearly a kilometre apart—to accelerate, brake, and coordinate simultaneously, ensuring smooth movement despite the train’s enormous mass. Its operational efficiency has inspired freight operators worldwide to explore similar long-haul models, though few have matched its scale. The train was first operated on June 21, 2001, and continues to be a key part of Australia’s mining supply chain. Its design and operational capabilities make it a benchmark for heavy freight transportation worldwide.
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India’s Longest Train For Comparison
‘Rudrastra‘, as per railway officials, was assembled by joining three long-distance rakes, with each being two goods train sets. There were a total of seven engines used, two at the front and one for every 59 bogies—providing continuous traction and speed. Each of the 354 wagons was carrying 72 tonnes of cargo, making the train not just the longest in India but also the largest in Asia. The average speed of the train during the journey was recorded at 40.50 km per hour. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Uday Singh Meena added, “This is a new experiment that will speed up freight loading and transportation. It will save both time and resources.” The operation of ‘Rudrastra’ is expected to transform freight movement across India. By running longer trains, Indian Railways can transport larger quantities of goods in fewer trips, reducing congestion on the tracks and improving turnaround times.
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With the successful operation of ‘Rudrastra’, Indian Railways has demonstrated its ability to handle ultra-long freight trains, moving closer to global standards in heavy haul operations. Officials believe such initiatives will enhance India’s freight capacity, improve efficiency, and boost economic growth. While a major milestone for Asia, it is still significantly shorter than Australia’s record-holding iron ore hauler.