The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) is an Indian state-owned manufacturer of rolling stock and electrical multiple units, operating as a premier production unit of the Indian Railways. Located in Perambur, Chennai, it is one of the largest rail coach manufacturing facilities globally.
The factory's origin dates back to the post-Independence era, when the Government of India sought to reduce the import of rail coaches. The site was chosen in 1951, and the factory was formally established in 1955, being inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on October 2, 1955. Its creation was facilitated by a technical agreement with the Swiss company, Swiss Cars and Elevator Manufacturing Corporation, for the transfer of coach-building technology.
ICF's mechanism is divided into two main parts: the Shell Division, which fabricates the coach body and bogies, and the Furnishing Division, which handles the interior, painting, and electrical equipment. While the factory initially manufactured the conventional ICF coaches (production ceased in 2018), it now focuses on modern rolling stock.
ICF connects directly to the German-designed LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches, which have replaced the older ICF design due to their superior safety and speed features. The factory also manufactures advanced train-sets like the semi-high speed Vande Bharat and various Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs). A recent change involves the withdrawal of older ICF-designed coaches, such as those used for Garib Rath trains, from passenger service, with the Railway Board directing their replacement with LHB rakes. ICF achieved a historic milestone by rolling out its 80,000th coach in February 2026.