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The Indian Railways will conduct a trial run of a 16-coach Vande Bharat between Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru on September 5. Check the complete schedule, stops and timings here
An empty 16-coach Vande Bharat rake will be used to assess the route and operational requirements under controlled conditions before a commercial service is considered.
Passengers waiting for a Vande Bharat service between Bengaluru and Mangaluru have a major update, with the Indian Railways set to conduct a trial run of an empty 16-coach Vande Bharat rake on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
The trial will be conducted between Yeshwantpur Junction and Mangaluru Central to assess the train’s speed, journey time, operations through the challenging ghat section and traffic arrangements at different stations.
The rake will make the journey without passengers, and the timings announced for the trial run should not be treated as the final timetable for a future commercial service.
Vande Bharat To Leave Yeshwantpur At 6:05 AM
The Vande Bharat rake will depart from Yeshwantpur Junction at 6:05 AM on September 5. It will reach Hassan Junction at 9 AM, where it will have a five-minute halt before departing at 9:05 AM.
The train will then proceed towards Sakleshpur, reaching Sakleshpur at 9:55 AM and departing at 10 AM. From Sakleshpur, the rake will enter the challenging ghat section towards Subrahmanya Road. It is scheduled to reach Subrahmanya Road at 12:30 PM and depart five minutes later at 12:35 PM. The train will then continue towards Mangaluru Central.
It is expected to pass Padil at around 1:50 PM, but there will be no halt at Padil. The rake will reach Mangaluru Central at 2:25 PM.
Mangaluru To Yeshwantpur Return Schedule
The rake will not remain at Mangaluru Central for long after completing the onward trial. The return journey to Yeshwantpur is scheduled to begin at 3 PM. On the return journey, the rake will pass Padil at around 3:25 PM, again without stopping. It will reach Subrahmanya Road at 4:30 PM and depart at 4:35 PM.
The next scheduled halt will be Sakleshpur, where it is expected to arrive at 6:30 PM and depart at 6:35 PM.
The rake will reach Hassan at 7:20 PM, with departure scheduled for 7:30 PM. It will then continue towards Bengaluru and is scheduled to reach Yeshwantpur at 11:00 PM.
Complete Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Trial Run Timetable
The complete provisional schedule for the September 5 trial run is as follows:
| Station | Arrival | Departure | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeshwantpur (YPR) | – | 6:05 AM | Trial run begins |
| Hassan (HAS) | 9:00 AM | 9:05 AM | 5-minute halt |
| Sakleshpur (SKLR) | 9:55 AM | 10:00 AM | 5-minute halt |
| Subrahmanya Road (SBHR) | 12:30 PM | 12:35 PM | 5-minute halt |
| Padil (PADL) | 1:50 PM | – | Passing through; no halt |
| Mangaluru Central (MAQ) | 2:25 PM | 3:00 PM | Return journey begins |
| Padil (PADL) | 3:25 PM | – | Passing through; no halt |
| Subrahmanya Road (SBHR) | 4:30 PM | 4:35 PM | 5-minute halt |
| Sakleshpur (SKLR) | 6:30 PM | 6:35 PM | 5-minute halt |
| Hassan (HAS) | 7:20 PM | 7:30 PM | 10-minute halt |
| Yeshwantpur (YPR) | 11:00 PM | – | Trial run ends |
How Long Will The Trial Journey Take?
Based on the provisional timings, the onward journey from Yeshwantpur to Mangaluru Central will take around 8 hours and 20 minutes. The return journey is scheduled to take approximately 8 hours, with the rake leaving Mangaluru Central at 3 PM and reaching Yeshwantpur at 11 PM.
However, these timings are for the trial run and should not be interpreted as the final commercial journey time.
The actual travel time, once passenger services begin, could change depending on the train’s permitted speed, signalling arrangements, movement of other trains, operational requirements and safety restrictions along the route.
Why The Sakleshpur-Ghat Section Is Crucial
One of the biggest challenges for the Railways is the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya Road ghat section of the Bengaluru-Mangaluru railway line. The stretch has sharp curves, gradients and difficult terrain, making it particularly important to assess how the Vande Bharat performs before any commercial service is introduced.
During the trial, railway authorities will be able to assess the train’s braking, speed control and operational performance on sloping terrain. Emergency response and the train’s ability to negotiate the challenging section safely will also be important considerations.
The use of a suitable rake equipped with an Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system is also being given importance for operations through the ghat section.
Why Is An Empty Rake Being Used?
The September 5 journey is a trial run, meaning the train will operate without passengers. An empty 16-coach Vande Bharat rake will be used to assess the route and operational requirements under controlled conditions before a commercial service is considered.
The trial will help the Railways evaluate how the train performs over the entire Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru route, including the difficult ghat section.
The timings at Hassan, Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road will also provide railway officials with an indication of how long different sections of the journey take under the planned operating conditions.
Will These Be The Final Vande Bharat Timings?
No. The September 5 schedule is specifically for the trial run. The timings, stops and overall journey time could change if and when a regular passenger service is introduced. Commercial operations would depend on the outcome of the trial, safety assessments, railway operating requirements, signalling arrangements and other approvals.
For now, the September 5 trial is an important step towards assessing the possibility of a Vande Bharat connection between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Passengers should therefore treat the timings announced for Saturday as a test schedule and not a confirmed commercial timetable.
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Ask News18The Indian Railways is conducting a trial run of an empty 16-coach Vande Bharat rake between Yeshwantpur Junction and Mangaluru Central on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
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September 04, 2026, 16:15 IST
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