Sudhanshu Mani, a distinguished retired officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has left an indelible mark on Indian Railways with a career spanning 37 years. Throughout his tenure, he held numerous key positions and accumulated vast experience in projects, railway operations, R&D, technology, and rolling stock design. His journey culminated as the General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the world’s largest railway coach manufacturing facility. Mani also served as the senior-most representative of Indian Railways abroad.
Starting his career in 1976 as a trainee at the Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Jamalpur, Mani went on to hold pivotal roles, including Chief Design Engineer at Diesel Locomotive Works and Director/Executive Director of Motive Power at the Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO). He was involved in locomotive technology projects at both national and international levels, working with global industry leaders such as Siemens, Alstom, EMD, Bombardier, ABB, and Bosch.
One of his most notable contributions was the development of Train 18, also known as Vande Bharat India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed train set capable of speeds up to 180/160 km/h, as well as the Tejas rake, a modern high-speed train. His leadership in projects like the 5500 hp locomotive, a collaboration with EMD/USA, highlighted his deep expertise in rolling stock engineering and technology within Indian Railways.
A graduate in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Mani received specialized training as a Special Class Railway Apprentice (SCRA), a prestigious program for Class I Railway Officers. Over the years, his leadership and contributions were recognized through several accolades, including the Transformation and Environment Award in 2017-18.
Beyond his technical achievements, Mani has a passion for art and railways, which led to the creation of the “Safar” art movement in Bangalore in 2011. This initiative, detailed in his book Art and Railways: A Bangalore Saga, reflects his broader interests and contributions beyond traditional railway roles.
Since retiring, Mani has remained actively engaged, leveraging his extensive knowledge in railway technology, project management, and organizational transformation. He frequently delivers talks at prestigious institutions such as the IIMs, IITs, and leading corporations like CII, focusing on government sector transformation.
Outside of his professional life, Mani’s diverse interests include art, theatre, music, Urdu poetry, reading, and sports, all of which contribute to his well-rounded and dynamic persona.
Below is the video of our Podcast with Sudhanshu Mani, the brain behind Vande Bharat Train.
What's Your Reaction?
