Indian Railways coaching stock

Indian Railways offers various travel classes on their coaches. Depending upon their travel class, the passenger cars feature different seating arrangements or berths subject to availability.

Coaches

The following table lists combinations of class-accommodations in normal operation.

Class[1] Description[2][3]
1A AC first class: The most expensive class, with fares almost on par with airfares. There are eight cabins (including two coupes) in full AC first class coach and three cabins (including one coupe) in half AC first class coach. The coach has an attendant, and bedding is included in the fare. This air-conditioned coach, present only on popular routes, can carry 28 passengers (full coach) or 10 passengers (half coach).
2A AC two tier: These air-conditioned coaches have sleeping berths across eight bays. Berths are usually arranged in two tiers in bays of six: four across the width of the coach and two lengthwise across the corridor, with curtains along the corridor. Bedding is included in the fare. A coach can carry 48 (full coach) or 20 passengers (half coach).
FC First class: Similar to 1A, but without air-conditioning. No bedding is available in this class, and the berths are narrower than 1A. There is an attendant. Only heritage trains still have this class.
3A AC three tier: Air-conditioned coaches with 64 sleeping berths. Berths are similar to 2A, but with three tiers across the width and two lengthwise for eight bays of eight. They are slightly less well-appointed, usually with no reading lights or curtains. Bedding is included in the fare.
3E AC three tier (economy): Air-conditioned coaches with sleeping berths on the Garib Rath Express. Berths are usually arranged as in 3A, but with three tiers across the width and three lengthwise. Appointments are similar to 3A but bedding is not included.
EC Executive chair car: An air-conditioned coach with spacious seats and legroom. With four seats in a row, it is used for intercity day travel and is available on the Tejas, Shatabdi Express and Gatimaan Express.
CC AC chair car: An air-conditioned coach with five seats in a row, used for intercity day travel. Air-conditioned double-deck coaches used on the Double Decker Express have similar accommodation.
SL Sleeper class: The sleeper class is the most common coach on IR, with ten or more SL coaches attached to a train rack. They are sleeping coaches with three berths across the width and two lengthwise, without air-conditioning. They carry 72 passengers per coach.
2S Second seater: similar to CC, without air-conditioning. Double-deck second seaters are used on the Flying Ranee.
UR/GEN Unreserved/General: The least expensive accommodation. Seats are not guaranteed. Tickets are valid on any train on a route if used within 24 hours of purchase.

Classification of berths

Berths are classified as follows:

  • LB = Lower Berth.
  • MB = Middle Berth (Found only in 3A, 3E and SL classes).
  • UB = Upper Berth.
  • SLB = Side Lower Berth.
  • SMB = Side Middle Berth (Found only in 3E class).
  • SUB = Side Upper Berth.

In older ICF rakes, 3-tier AC coaches (AC) would normally have 64 seats/berths while Sleeper coaches (SL) would have 72 seats/berths. New LHB rakes have 72 seats/berths for 3-tier AC coaches (3A). Side middle berths are found in 3-tier AC Economy coaches (3E). Each AC coach would have four entrances, two on either side of the coach and two at their ends. These coaches had the seat/berth numbers painted above each of the windows.

The Second seater coaches have 108 seats and with two additional entrances in the middle of the coaches on either side. These coaches have a total of six entrances.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Accommodation Classes in Indian Railways". Indian Railways. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "General Information on travelling by IR". IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
  3. ↑ "Class of Travel". indiarail.co.uk. S.D. Enterprises Ltd. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
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