MUMBAI, Nov. 16 -- The city will host a high-speed trial of the Vande Bharat Sleeper on Sunday, as a new prototype undergoes a 130 kmph oscillation test run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. Oscillation trials are tests conducted to measure the train's stability and riding comfort at various speeds. The 16-coach train, the second prototype currently being tested on this route, is part of Indian Railways' push to introduce premium overnight travel by mid-2026. A separate, orange-black prototype has already touched 180 kmph in the Kota division. Sunday's run is a confirmatory oscillograph trial, during which a specialised Research, Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) coach will monitor the train's behaviour through sensors and precision equipment. The rake comprises 11 AC 3-tier, four AC 2-tier and one First AC coach, and arrived in Mumbai late Saturday after departing Ahmedabad. "This oscillatory trial at 130 kmph is strictly for testing ride quality and suspension performance. It does not indicate where the train will run once commissioned. However, the Mumbai-Vadodara-Ahmedabad corridor is fully capable of handling the Vande Bharat Sleeper in future," a senior railway official said. The trials will run only during daylight to ensure better inspection, with an uninterrupted path allocated for monitoring. Mandatory operational speed restrictions for other rail traffic will continue to apply during the run. The prototype has been under intensive testing since January 2025 across varied terrains and conditions. Sources said the VB sleeper should enter passenger service by mid-2026. This second prototype incorporates improvements based on feedback from the first: upgraded toilets, redesigned berths, repositioned holding arms and fixtures, Type A and Type C charging ports, foldable snack tables, integrated lighting and laptop charging points. Parallel to the trials, the WR is pushing ahead with major expansion across its network to increase the number of both local and long-distance services....