Organisation Profile
The foundation stone of Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala was laid down by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi on 17.08.1985. The objective of this project was to enhance the production capacity of passenger coaches for the ever increasing demand of Indian Railways (IR) and to generate employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab. The project was sanctioned at an initial cost of Rs. 423 Crs. in 1985, however expansion projects had been taken up later. The production at RCF commenced on 19.09.1987 i.e. just after two years from the inception of the project and the first coach was rolled out on 31.03.1988. RCF started manufacturing ICF design coaches made of corten steel, however after transfer of technology from Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) of Germany in 1998, it started manufacturing modern stainless steel coaches having speed potential upto 160 kmph. These are extensively being used in premium trains like, Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express etc. India's first TEJAS train was rolled out from RCF on 18.05.2017 and was pressed into service on 22.05.2017 on Mumbai-Karmali ( Goa) route. Thereafter, coaches for Buddhist Circuit rake were turned out in November 2018. On 19.03.2019, coaches for first UDAY rake were rolled out from RCF. RCF is the only Production Unit of IR to roll out all five types of New Genre coaches viz. Tejas Humsafar, Uday Antyodaya and Deendayalu.on 30.01.2020,RCF introduced High Capacity Parcel Van to carry high volumetric load at high speed. Later in the year , a prototype of Double Decker of 160 kmph speed potential was rolled out on 18.11.2020. On 11.02.2021,RCF had another jewel in its crown, when it rolled out Indian Railway’s first Air Conditioned Economy Class coach with enhanced speed and berth capacity.Later in the same year , first rake of MEMU coaches with 3 Phase Electrics were rolled out on 27.11.2021. Four Narrow Gauge prototype coaches for Kalaka Shimla Railway were unveiled on 29.05.2023 for oscillation trials on KSR section. The test run of First basic unit of Vande Metro was succesfully done on 30.04.2024 and the rake was finally rolled out in Sept 2024. In September,2024, RCF achieved yet another milestone when it rolled out its 45000th Coach . On 31.03.2025, the manufacturing of first rake of Amrit Bharat coaches was completed.
Rail Coach Factory , Kapurthala has achieved its highest-ever annual coach production, manufacturing 2383 coaches during the financial year 2025–26. This marks an impressive 14% increase over the 2102 coaches produced in the previous financial year, taking RCF’s cumulative coach production to more than 48,500 coaches since its inception. RCF also recorded a significant milestone in the production of LHB coaches ,registering a 17% growth compared to 2024–25 by manufacturing a record 2058 LHB coaches during the year. During FY 2025–26, RCF gained special recognition at the national level through the manufacturing of several advanced coach products. A total of 15 Amrit Bharat rakes were produced, featuring push-pull technology with upgraded non-AC 3-tier sleeper, pantry, and unreserved coaches aimed at enhancing long-distance passenger comfort. To strengthen fast intercity connectivity, RCF manufactured 309 Three-Phase Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEEMU) coaches during the year. In another significant development, on 31.03.2026 RCF rolled out its version of the Vande Bharat train rake for oscillation trials to be conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The production of this indigenously developed Vande Bharat rake represents a major step towards smoother, faster, and more comfortable rail travel, redefining passenger experience through continuous innovation. Besides, RCF has also produced Meter Gauge (MG) coaches, which have been exported to African and South East Asian countries, besides manufacturing LHB Coaches for Bangaldesh. RCF has been an ISO-9001 certificate holder since 1995. In July 1999, RCF became the first organization in the country to be awarded ISO-14001 certification for workshop as well as its residential complex and hospital in Environment Management. Today RCF has certified to IMS (Integrated Management System) which includes ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001:2004 (Environment Management System) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) since May 2009. Also, RCF has got certification of ISO:50001 in May 2017 which envisages using energy efficiently to save money as well as helping to conserve resources and tackle climate change. ISO 50001 supports to use energy more efficiently, through the development of an energy management system (EnMS).RCF is also an IRIS Silver certified organization since 16.01.2022.RCF was bestowed upon Golden Peacock Award-2024 for Energy Efficiency on 27.06.2024 in recognition to its services in energy conservation. RCF has been awarded the Best Production Unit Award for outstanding performance in the year 2023-24 under the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Awards. The Best Production Unit Shield was presented by Shri Ashwini Vaishnav , Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & IT to Shri. S S Mishra, GM/RCF at a felicitation ceremony held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 21 December,2024 .This shield has been awarded to RCF jointly with Chittaranjan Locomotive Works,Chittaranjan. RCF has an integrated township with Shopping Centres, Banks, Post Office, Recreational and Sports facilities. Women's Welfare organization is active in promoting social and cultural values among the family members. This organization is running a Creche, a Computer Centre for women & children, a School and a Sewing Training Centre, besides Vatsalya-a centre for specially abled children. RCF Sports Association is actively associated with promotion of sports amongst employees and their wards. It has a 18-hole golf course and Hockey Stadium with superturf and churns out players of international caliber year after year. RCF can pride itself upon the achievements of its several players which have own laurels in International and National level championships. Besides other sports infrastructure, RCF has a Cricket Stadium, built according to the BCCI norms.