India’s First Brand-Named Train Gets a Fizzier Identity: ‘Sprite Tejas Express’

India’s railway landscape is about to get a distinctly fizzy makeover. The Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express, already known for its premium onboard experience, is set to run as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’, becoming the first train in India to be commercially branded and named after a private brand.The new identity comes through an advertising agreement between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Sprite, a Coca-Cola brand. The arrangement is designed to generate non-fare revenue for the railway ecosystem while giving brands a new platform to connect with passengers.The Sprite branding will be displayed through vinyl wrapping on five coaches, while the train will also be announced as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ at stations along its route.From Tejas to Sprite TejasIntroduced in 2019, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is operated and maintained by IRCTC and is regarded as India’s first corporate-operated train on the Indian Railways network.The train’s coaches, manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, are designed to handle speeds of up to 200 kmph. Track-related restrictions, however, currently limit its operational speed to 160 kmph.The Sprite branding arrangement is scheduled to run from August 19 to November 11, 2026. And there is an important distinction: despite the new commercial name, the train itself has not been privatised. The branding is an advertising and revenue-generation initiative.512 Km in Just 6 Hours 35 MinutesThe Sprite Tejas Express covers 512 km between Lucknow and New Delhi in around 6 hours and 35 minutes. Operating six days a week, except Tuesday, the train makes three stops along the route: Ghaziabad, Tundla Junction and Kanpur Central.Train 82502 leaves New Delhi at 3:30 pm and reaches Lucknow Junction at 10:05 pm. In the opposite direction, train 82501 departs Lucknow at 6:10 am, arriving in New Delhi at 12:35 pm.Passengers can choose between Executive Chair Car (EC) and AC Chair Car (CC).A New Chapter in Railway BrandingWhile the name may grab attention, the experiment represents something bigger. Indian Railways and its associated organisations are increasingly exploring non-fare revenue, using commercial opportunities beyond traditional ticket and freight earnings.For now, commuters on the Lucknow-Delhi route will get to see a familiar Tejas Express wrapped in an entirely new identity. And for the first time, a private brand will quite literally have its name announced as a train rolls into Indian railway stations.Keywords: Sprite Tejas Express, Tejas Express, Indian Railways, IRCTC, Lucknow Delhi Train, Railway Branding, Non-Fare Revenue, Commercial Branding, Indian Railways Innovation