2 Cabins of Sleeper Class Coach modified as Prototype Isolation Cabins by Carriage Workshop Lallaguda
As part of COVID-19 preparedness, it was advised by the Ministry of Railways that coaches may be converted into Quarantine/Isolation Coaches so as to augment the additional quarantine and isolation facilities if required.
In this regard, to start with Railway Board advised to utilize only Non-AC Sleeper Class Coaches for converting as quarantine/isolation coaches. Accordingly, Shri Gajanan Mallya, General Manager, South Central Railway instructed the officials of the Zone to draw the plans for modification of the existing non -AC sleeper class coaches as quarantine/isolation coaches.
As per the instructions of General Manager, staff and officers of Carriage Workshop, Lallaguda swung into action and modified two cabins in a non-ac sleeper class coach number SC GSCN 00205 as a prototype isolation cabins.
The details of modification being done includes –
- Generally, each sleeper class coach will have 9 cabins. In each cabin 6 berths inside (2 lower, 2 middle and 2 upper) and 2 berths in side (1 side lower and 1 side upper) totaling to 6+2=8 berths. on entire coach there are 72 berths.
- Out of these 9 cabins, presently only 2 cabins i.e. second cabin from either end are modified as a prototype isolation cabin.
- In these 2 cabins (earmarked for isolation), both middle and upper berths and also side lower and side upper berths were removed.
- Out of these 2 cabins, one cabin provided with half partition sheet& half curtain and the other cabin provided with two full plasticcur tains.
- In both the cabins the width of the lower berth earmarked for the patient widened by 90 mm for sleeping comfort.
- One of the two cabins was wrapped with Vinyl on panels in cabin area for good aesthetics.
- Provision of Mosquito Wire Mesh in lieu of Venetion shutters.
- Ladders for upper berth removed.
- Stainless Steel bottle holders 2 Nos.provided.
- Dust bins with cover provided.
- In both the cabins 3 sockets of 5-amp capacity with switch provided to meet the power supply needs.
- Entrance of cabin provided with two half plastic curtains.
Modification in Toilet Portion:
- The toilet pans of the Indian style toilets available at both the ends of the coach were removed and converted for bathing facility.
- Toilet floor provided with PVC & drain hole.
- Wash basin inside the toilet removed to make the bathing facility comfortable.
- Additional tap with lift type handle and in proper height has been provided so that bucket can be filled without much difficulty. In addition, health faucet & Shower facility are also provided.
- Bucket, bath stool and mug provided.
These facilities are in addition to quarantine / isolation beds provided by the Zone at Railway Hospitals / Health Units / Training Institutes spread around 30 locations over the South Central Railway accommodating more than 1000 beds.
Here’s a detailed look at how the Carriage Workshop at Lallaguda (South Central Railway) modified two cabins of a Sleeper Class coach as prototype isolation cabins to support COVID‑19 preparedness in 2020:
🛠️ Prototype Isolation Cabins: Key Modifications
Context & Initiative
- On directives from Indian Railways and the Ministry of Railways, SCR General Manager Gajanan Mallya instructed Lallaguda Carriage Workshop to design modifications converting existing non-AC Sleeper Class coaches into COVID-19 quarantine/isolation units
- Two cabins in coach number GSCN 00205 were selected and retrofitted as prototype isolation cabins
Structural Changes (per cabin)
- Sleeper coaches normally have nine cabins holding eight berths each (72 berths total).
- From either end, the second cabin was converted: middle and upper berths, including side berths, were removed to leave just the lower berth widened by 90 mm for comfort
- Cabin partitions: one had a half partition sheet and half curtain, the other used two full plastic curtains .
- One cabin’s panels were wrapped in vinyl for aesthetics.
- Added mosquito wire mesh instead of shutters, two stainless‑steel bottle holders, dustbins with cover, and three 5‑amp sockets per cabin with switches
Toilet / Hygiene Upgrades
- End‑to‑end Indian-style toilets were converted into bathing areas, wash basins removed, and floors given PVC with drain holes
- Additional height-adjusted taps, health faucets, and shower facilities installed.
- Provided bucket, stool, mug in the bathing area
📅 Why It Mattered
- This initiative formed part of SCR’s larger plan to pilot isolation facilities in coaches before scaling conversions—a precursor to converting hundreds of coaches later across zones
- These early prototypes were part of broader efforts: SCR ultimately converted around 486 coaches into isolation wards across its various divisions (Lallaguda workshop alone modified 76 coaches)
✅ Summary
| Feature | Prototype Isolation Cabins |
|---|---|
| Coach type | Non‑AC Sleeper Class (GSCN 00205) |
| Cabins modified | Two cabins (second from each end) |
| Berth adjustments | Removed all but lower berth; widened by 90 mm |
| Partitions | Half-sheet/curtain in one, full plastic curtains in the other |
| Amenities added | Sockets, bottle holders, dustbins, vinyl wrapping in one cabin |
| Toilet upgrades | Converted to bathing facility with shower, taps, drainage etc. |
| Objective | Test bed for coach-based isolation wards for COVID-19 preparedness |
💭 Significance & Design Strategy
- This reflected South Central Railway’s rapid innovation, leveraging a standard sleeper coach design to swiftly prototype isolation cabins within existing rolling stock.
- Combining privacy, hygiene facilities, electrical provision, and basic comfort enhancements, these cabins aimed to emulate hospital wards within the constraints of rail coaches.
- It served as a proof-of-concept before broader conversion of coaches across SCR and other zones.
Would you like more details on subsequent large-scale isolation coach conversions, or plans from other zones based on these prototypes?