Indian Railways coaching stock

Indian Railways run a number of different types of coaches, with different patterns of seating or berths, depending on the class of travel.

Accommodation Types

The following class-accommodation combinations have been created for the system.

On 1 October 2009 a new class was introduced: Third AC Economy (3E). The class is designated for the coaches, which have an additional berth in the side section (SM type - Side Middle). This type of accommodation is created for less well off people, who wish to travel in AC 3-tier for a lesser price.


The following table lists the classes in operation. Not all classes may be attached to a rake though.

Class[1] Description[1][2]
1A The First class AC: This is the most expensive class, where the fares are on par with airlines. Bedding is included with the fare in IR. This air conditioned coach is present only on popular routes between metropolitan cities and can carry 18 passengers in ICF coaches whereas accommodates 24 passengers in LHB coach (present in so Rajdhanis, Duronto and AC Expresses). The coaches are carpeted, have sleeping accommodation and have privacy features like personal coupes.
2A AC-Two tier: Air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths, ample leg room, curtains and individual reading lamps. Berths are usually arranged in two tiers in bays of six, four across the width of the coach then the gangway then two berths longways, with curtains provided to give some privacy from those walking up and down. Bedding is included with the fare. A broad gauge coach can carry 46 passengers in case of ICF coach whereas 52 in the new LHB coaches.For privacy, curtains are provided.
FC First class: Same as 1AC, without the air conditioning. This class was a Non-AC 2 tier sleeper with 26 berths(3 Coupes of 2 berths and 5 cabins of 4 berths)-The advent of 3A/Ac--three tier class less expensive than the First class rendered lesser patronage to this first Class which initiated complete stop in manufacturing of new coaches of this class-this class is present in very few Express today
3A AC three tier: Air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths. Berths are usually arranged as in 2AC but with three tiers across the width and two longways as before giving eight bays of eight. They are slightly less well-appointed, usually no reading lights,but recently the trend has been to furnish the 3A coaches better. . Bedding is included with fare. It carries 64 passengers in broad gauge in the old Integral Coach Factory rakes and 72 in the new LHB coach rakes manufactured by Rail Coach Factory owing to longer coaches
3E AC three tier (Economy): Air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths, present in Garib Rath Trains. Berths are usually arranged as in 3AC but with three tiers across the width and three longways. They are slightly less well-appointed, usually no reading lights or curtained off gangways. Bedding is usually excluded from fare and is available with a payment of Rs.25\- per passenger.
CC AC chair car: An air-conditioned seater coach with a total of five seats in a row used for day travel between cities.
EC Executive class chair car: An air-conditioned seater coach with a total of four seats in a row used for day travel between cities.
SL Sleeper class: The sleeper class is the most common coach, and usually ten or more coaches could be attached.It is also known as second class. These are regular sleeping coaches with three berths vertically stacked. In broad gauge, it carries 72 passengers per coach in regular ICF coaches and 78 berths in the new LHB coaches manufactured(Present in Durontos at present)
2S Seater class: same as AC Chair car, but with bench style seats and without the air-conditioning.108 seats per coach. Comfortable for day travel.
UR/GEN Unreserved: The cheapest accommodation, with seats made of pressed wood and are cushioned nowadays. Although entry into the compartment is guaranteed, a sitting seat is not guaranteed. Tickets issued are valid on any train on the same route if boarded within 24 hours of buying the ticket. These coaches are usually very crowded.

Classification of berths

Berths are classified as follows:

This is applicable to the Broad Gauge coaches, however on the Metre Gauge, coaches don't have side berths (SLB, SMB & SUB). While the Narrow Gauge coaches don't have sleeper berths.

Indian Railways is mostly composed of (Indian) Broad Gauge, while the already less Meter Gauge is being phased out, with mostly undergoing a Gauge Conversion, to the Broad Gauge. A remaining exception will be the Narrow Gauge rail. Two of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

On Broad Gauge trains, there would normally be 64 seats/berths for 3 tier AC coaches (3A) and 72 seats/berths for 3 tier Sleeper coaches (SL) with the coaches having four entrances two each on either sides of the coach at their ends. These coaches would display the seat/berth numbers painted just above each of their windows that would be in alignment to that particular window. The Higher classes have reduction in their seating/berth capacity, for passenger comfort, based on their class respectively. New LHB rakes have 72 seats/berths for 3 tier AC coaches (3A).

Middle berths are found in AC 3-tier Economy class coaches (3E), these coaches are meant for not so well off people, who desire a comfortable travel at lesser fare.

The "second sitting" have 108 seats but with two additional entrances right in the middle of the coaches on their either sides. Therefore these coaches have six entrances.

Gallery of different types of Coaches

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Travelling by train in India". IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 2007-06-03.
  2. ↑ "Class of Travel". indiarail.co.uk. S.D.Enterprises Ltd. Retrieved 2007-06-03.

External links

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