Indian Railways

Page issues

Indian Railways (reporting mark IR) is a state-owned national railway system of India.
Operated by the Ministry of Railways, in fiscal 2015-2016, IR carried 8.107 billion
passengers (more than 22 million passengers per day), transported 1.101 billion tons of
freight, and had 7,216 stations.[2] It is the fourth largest railway network in the world by size,
comprising 119,630 kilometres (74,330 mi) of total track[4] and 92,081 km (57,216 mi) of
running track over a route of 66,687 km (41,437 mi) at the end of 2015-16.[2] Forty-five
percent of its routes are electrified,[5] using entirely 25 kV AC electric traction.[2] The track is
mostly broad gauge with small stretches of metre and narrow gauge track. 37% of the
tracks are double or multiple tracked.[5]

IR operates both long distance and suburban rail systems. IR ran on average 13,313
passenger trains daily in 2015-16. The trains have a five-digit numbering system. Mail or
express trains, the most common types, run at an average speed of 50.9 km/hr.[6] As of the
end of 2015-16, IR's rolling stock comprised over 254,006 freight wagons, 70,241
passenger coaches and 11,122 locomotives (39 powered by steam, 5,869 by diesel fuel
and 5,214 by electricity).[2] It also owns locomotive and coach production facilities at
several places in India.

IR is the world's eighth biggest employer and had 1.33143 million employees at the end of
2015-16.[3] In 2015–2016, IR had revenues of ₹1.683 trillion (US$27 billion), consisting of
₹1.069 trillion (US$17 billion) freight earnings and ₹442.83 billion (US$7.0 billion)
passengers earnings.[2] It had an operating ratio of 90.5% in 2015-16.[2]
Indian Railways

Indian Railways head

Native name भारतीय रे

Type Public s

Industry Railway

Founded 8 May 1

Headquarters New De
Area served India
Key people Piyus
of Ra
Ashw
(Chai
Board
Services Passeng
Freight
Parcel c
Catering
Services
Parking
Other re

Revenue ₹1.683
(US$27 
16)
Net income ₹105.0
(US$1.7
16)
Owner Governm

Number of 1.331 m
employees 2016)

Parent Ministry
through
Divisions 17 Railw

Subsidiaries IRCTC
RailTe
Website www.in
indianra
Indian Railways

Schematic network ma
of the Indian Railways

Map of Indian Railway

network with populatio
density

Reporting IR
mark

Locale India

Dates of 16 April 185
operation Present

Track 1,676 mm
gauge (5 ft 6 in)
1,000 mm
(3 ft 33⁄8 in)
762 mm
(2 ft 6 in)
610 mm (2 f

Length 66,687
kilometres
(41,437 mi)
(route)[2]
92,081
kilometres
(57,216 mi)
(running
track)[2]
119,630
kilometres
 (74,330 mi)
(total track)[

History
The first proposals for railway in India were made in Madras in 1832.[7] The first train in
India, Red Hill Railway built by Sir Arthur Cotton for transporting granite stones for road
building, ran from Red Hills to Chintadripet bridge in Madras in 1837.[7] The first passenger
train in India, hauled by 3 steam locomotives (Sahib, Sindh and Sultan), ran 34 km carrying
400 people in 14-carriages on 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge track between Bori Bunder
(Bombay) and Thane on 16th April 1853.[8][9] The first railway bridge in India was built over
"Dapoorie viaduct" over Ulhas river when Bombay-Thane line was extended to Kalyan in
May 1854.[10] The first passenger railway train in eastern India ran from Howrah, near
Calcutta to Hoogly, for distance of 24 miles, on 15 August 1854.[1] The first passenger train
in South India ran from Royapuram / Veyasarapady (Madras) to Wallajah Road (Arcot) on
1st July 1856, for a distance of 60 miles.[11] On 24th February 1873, the first tramway (a
horse-drawn tramway) opened in Calcutta between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street, a
distance of 3.8 km.[12] In 1897, lighting in passenger coaches was introduced by many
railway companies. On 3rd February 1925, first electric passenger train in India ran between
Victoria terminus and Kurla.[13]

The re-organisation of railways in India into regional zones began in 1951,[14] when
Southern Railway (14 April 1951), Central Railway (5 November 1951) and Western Railway
(5 November 1951) were created.[15] In 1951, fans and lights were mandated for all
compartments in all classes of passenger accommodation and sleeping accommodation
was introduced in coaches. In 1956, the first fully air-conditioned train was introduced
between Howrah and Delhi.[16] In 1966, first containerized freight services were started,
between Bombay and Ahmedabad. In 1986, computerized ticketing and reservation was
introduced in India, for the first time, at New Delhi.[17] In 1988, the first Shatabdi Express
was introduced in the country between New Delhi and Jhansi (later extended to Bhopal).[18]
In 1990, first Self-Printing Ticket Machine (SPTM) was introduced, at New Delhi. In 1993,
AC 3-tier coaches and Sleeper Class were introduced on IR for the first time, separate from
Second Class. In September 1996, CONCERT system of computerized reservations was
fully deployed at New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. In 1998, Coupon Validating Machines
(CVMs) were introduced at Mumbai CST. The complete networked nationwide CONCERT
system became operational on 18 April 1999. In February 2000, Indian Railways web site
was deployed.[19] On 3rd August 2002, IR began online train reservations and ticketing over
the Internet.[20] On 31st March 2017, IR announced that the entire rail network in the
country will be electrified by 2022.[21]

India's first Gatiman

passenger Express,
train India's
between fastest train
Bombay and introduced in
Thane in 2016
1853

Organisation
Organisational structure

The apex management organisation is the 5-member Railway Board headed by a Chairman
who reports to the Ministry of Railways. IR is divided into 17 zones headed by the general
managers who along with the head of production units report directly to the Railway
Board,[22][23] which are further sub-divided into a cumulative total of 68 divisions headed by
the divisional railway managers (DRM).[24][25][26][27] The divisional officers, of engineering,
mechanical, electrical, signal and telecommunication, accounts, personnel, operating,
commercial, security and safety branches, report to the respective Divisional Railway
Manager and are in charge of operation and maintenance of assets. Further down the
hierarchy tree are the station masters, who control individual stations and train movements
through the track territory under their stations' administration.

Recruitment and training

Staff are classified into gazetted (Group 'A' and 'B') and non-gazetted (Group 'C' and 'D')
employees.[28] The recruitment of Group 'A' gazetted employees is carried out by the Union
Public Service Commission through exams conducted by it.[29] The Recruitment of Group
'B' for the following post Section Engineers, Junior Engineers, Depot Material
Superintendent posts is conducted by Railway Recruitment Board. The recruitment to
Group 'C' and 'D' employees on the IR is done through 21 Railway Recruitment Boards and
Railway Recruitment Cells which are controlled by the Railway Recruitment Control Board
(RRCB).[30] The training of all cadres is entrusted and shared between six centralised
training institutes.

IR recruits for lower level positions like ASM, Goods Guard, Clerk, TA, CA, JE, Staff Nurse,
Group D etc. through it RRB NTPC (Railway Recruitment Board Non-Technical )
Examination. For the year 2016, the examination was conducted to recruit around 18,000
positions; however, later IR reduced the vacancies by 4000.[31]

Rolling stock
Locomotives

A WAP 7 class broad gauge AC electric locomotive.

A WDM-3D broad gauge diesel locomotive.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, one of the only few running steam locomotives, in India

Locomotives in India consist of electric and diesel locomotives. Few CNG (Compressed
Natural Gas) locomotives are also being used.[32] Steam locomotives are no longer used,
except in heritage trains. In India, locomotives are classified according to their gauge,
motive power, the work they are suited for and their power or model number. The class
name includes this information about the locomotive. It comprises 4 or 5 letters. The first
letter denotes the track gauge. The second letter denotes their motive power, Diesel or
Alternating current (Electric), and the third letter denotes the kind of traffic for which they
are suited (goods, passenger, Multi or shunting). The fourth letter used to denote
locomotives' chronological model number. However, from 2002 a new classification
scheme has been adopted. Under this system, for newer diesel locomotives, the fourth
letter will denote their horsepower range. Electric locomotives don't come under this
scheme, and even all diesel locos are not covered. For them, this letter denotes their model
number as usual.

A locomotive may sometimes have the fifth letter in its name which denotes a technical
variant or subclass or subtype. This fifth letter indicates some smaller variation in the basic
model or series, perhaps different motors, or a different manufacturer. With the new
scheme for classifying diesel locomotives (as mentioned above) the fifth item is a letter
that further refines the horsepower indication in 100 hp increments: 'A' for 100 hp, 'B' for
200 hp, 'C' for 300 hp, etc. So in this scheme, a WDM-3A refers to a 3100 hp loco, while a
WDM-3D would be a 3400 hp loco and WDM-3F would be 3600 hp loco.

Note: This classification system does not apply to steam locomotives in India as they have
become non-functional now. They retained their original class names such as M class or WP
class.

Diesel Locomotives are now fitted with Auxiliary Power Units which saves nearly 88% of
Fuel during the idle time when train is not running.[33]

Goods wagons

IR's share in goods traffic was 30% (65% in 1951) versus 70% (35% in 1951) share of goods
traffic on roads. Number of goods wagons (239,321 on 31st March 2012, 405,183 on 31st
March 1980 and 205,596 on 31st March 1951) is far less than the requirement, which
carried 1010 million tonnes of goods in 2012–13 (93 million tonnes in 1950–51).[34] Since
the 1990s, IR has stopped single-wagon consignments and provides only full rake freight
trains. Wagon types include:[35] BCACBM, BCCN, BCNA, BCNHL, BOBRN, BOBYN, BOXN
(BOXN-HL, BOXN-HS, BOXN-HL, BOXN-CR, BOXN-LW, BOXN-AL, BOXN-EL), BRH, BTPGLN,
BTPN and VVN.

Passenger coaches
IR has several types of passenger coaches. The coaches used in IR are produced at
Integral Coach Factory, Rail Coach Factory, Modern Coach Factory, Raebareli; including the
new LHB coaches. IR had 53,282 coaches in 2012, including 46,722 passenger coaches
and 6,560 Other coaches (luggage coach, parcel van, guard's coach, mail coach, etc).
Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) coaches are used for suburban traffic in large cities – mainly
Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. These coaches
numbered 7,793 on 31st March 2012. They have second class and first class seating
accommodation.

Manufacturing
The Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in Chittaranjan makes electric locomotives. The Diesel
Locomotive Works in Varanasi makes diesel locomotives. The Integral Coach Factory in
Perambur, Chennai makes integral coaches. These have a monocoque construction, and
the floor is an integral unit with the undercarriage. The Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala
also makes coaches. The Rail Wheel Factory at Yelahanka, Bangalore and Rail Wheel Plant,
Bela, Chhapra, Bihar manufactures wheels and axles, Diesel-Loco Modernisation Works,
Patiala upgrade the WDM-2 Diesel loco from 2600 hp to 3100 hp. Some electric
locomotives have been supplied by BHEL, Jhansi and Palakkad, and locomotive
components are manufactured in several other plants around the country.[36]

Network
Tracks

Comparison of different gauges in India with the standard gauge

The total track length of network is 119,640 km (74,340 mi) while the total route length of
the network is 66,687 km (41,437 mi). Track sections are rated for speeds ranging from 80
to 200 km/h (50 to 124 mph), though trains don't really clock speeds of 200 km/h.
Maximum speed attained by passenger trains is 177 km/h-180 km/h (110 mph).
Indian gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) (a broad gauge) is the predominant gauge used by IR
with 108,500 km (67,400 mi) of track length (94% of entire track length of all the gauges)
and 59,400 km (36,900 mi) of route-kilometre (91% of entire route-kilometre of all the
gauges). It is the widest gauge in passenger use in the world. The first railway line in India
from Mumbai (Bori Bunder) to Thane in 1853 was built in broad gauge.

Urban rail transit lines which serve the urban areas are in 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in)
standard gauge (except suburban rail which is in Indian gauge). These encompass metro
and trams. As of 2016, lines in operation are Trams in Kolkata, Delhi Metro, Rapid MetroRail
Gurgaon, the Bangalore Metro and the Mumbai Metro. These lines are not operated by
IR.[37]

On decreasing routes, the 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) metre gauge and 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) and
610 mm (2 ft) narrow gauges are present. These were initially introduced in hilly regions for
cost considerations and simpler engineering. The metre gauge has about 5,000 km
(3,100 mi) of track length (4% of entire track length of all the gauges) and 4,100 km
(2,500 mi) of route-kilometre (6% of entire route-kilometre of all the gauges), while narrow
gauges have 1,500 km (930 mi) route-kilometre (2% of entire route-kilometre of all the
gauges), as of 31 March 2016.

Sleepers (ties) are mostly made up of prestressed concrete. Metal and teak sleepers are
still in use on a few lines. These are under conversion to concrete sleepers.

Electrification

Around 23,555 km (14,636 mi) of the route-kilometre or 43,357 km (26,941 mi) of running

track was electrified, as of March 31, 2016. India uses 25 kV AC traction on all of its
electrified tracks.[38]

Railway electrification in India began with the inauguration of the first electric train between
Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla on Harbour Line on February 3, 1925, on the then
existing Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) at 1500 V DC. Heavy gradients on the
Western Ghats necessitated the introduction of electric traction on the GIPR up to Igatpuri
on the North East line and to Pune on the South East line. 1500 V DC traction was
introduced on the suburban section of the then existing Bombay, Baroda and Central India
Railway between Colaba and Borivili on January 5, 1928, and between Madras Beach and
Tambaram of the then existing Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway on May 11, 1931.
All this was primarily to meet the growing traffic on these metros.
The electrification of the Howrah-Burdwan section of the Eastern Railway was done at
3000 V DC and completed in 1958. The first 3000 V DC EMU services were inaugurated in
Howrah-Sheoraphuli section on December 14, 1957.

The 25 kV AC system of traction emerged as an economical system of electrification as a

result of research and trials in Europe, particularly on French Railways (SNCF). Railways
decided in 1957 to adopt the 25 kV AC system of electrification as a standard, with SNCF
as their consultant in the initial stages. The first section electrified on the 25 kV AC system
was Raj Kharswan – Dongoaposi on the South Eastern Railway in 1960. The first 25 kV AC
EMUs which were for Kolkata suburban services were inaugurated in September 1962. With
a view to provide continuity of traction system, the Howrah – Burdwan section of the
Eastern Railway and Madras Beach – Tambaram section of the Southern Railway were
converted to the 25 kV AC system by 1968.

Considering the limitations in the existing DC traction system, a decision was taken to
convert to 25 kV AC traction during 1996-97. Conversion from DC traction to AC traction
was completed in the year 2012 by Western Railway and in 2016 by Central Railway. With
this, the entire electrified mainline rail network in India now uses 25kV AC. Since then, DC
traction is used only for metros and trams.

Signaling systems

The IR mostly use colour signal lights. Earlier the older semaphores and discs-based
signalling (depending on the position or colour) were used, but these were replaced by
colour signals.[39] Except for some high-traffic sections around large cities and junctions,
the network does not use automatic block systems. However, the signals at stations are
almost invariably interlocked with the setting of points (routes) and so safety does not
depend on the skill of the station masters. With the planned introduction of Cab
signalling/Anti collision devices the element of risk on account of drivers overshooting
signals will also be eliminated.

Coloured signalling uses multi-coloured lighting, and in many places is automatically

controlled. There are three modes:[39]

Two aspect signalling, which uses a red (bottom) and green (top) lamp
Three aspect signalling, which uses an additional amber lamp in the centre
 Four (multiple) aspect signalling uses four lamps. The fourth is amber and is placed
above the other three.

Multiple aspect signals, by providing several intermediate speed stages between 'clear' and
'on', allow high-speed trains sufficient time to brake safely if required. This becomes very
important as train speeds rise. Without multiple-aspect signals, the stop signals must be
placed far apart to allow sufficient braking distance and this reduces track utilisation. At
the same time, slower trains can also be run closer together on track with multiple aspect
signals.

Rail links with adjacent countries

Existing rail links:

 Bangladesh, India-Bangladesh Rail links – Same gauge. The Maitree Express between
Dhaka and Kolkata started in April 2008 using the Gede-Darsana route and Bandhan
Express between Kolkata-Khulna re-introduced on the route of pre-1965 Barisal Express,
in addition to a Freight Train service from Singhabad and Petrapole in India to Rohanpur
and Benapole in Bangladesh. A second passenger link between Agartala, India and
Akhaura Upazila, Bangladesh was approved by the Government of Bangladesh and India
in September 2011.[40]
   Nepal – Same gauge. Jayanagar - Janakpur line.
 Pakistan – Same gauge. Thar Express to Karachi and the more famous Samjhauta
Express international train from Lahore, Pakistan to Amritsar (Attari).

Under construction / Proposed links:

 Bhutan – Railways Under Construction – Same gauge

 Myanmar train connectivity;– break-of-gauge – from Jiribham in Manipur to Kalemya
in Myanmar.[41]
 Thailand Look-East connectivity– possible if Burma Railway is rebuilt.[42]
 Vietnam Look-East connectivity;– On 9th April 2010, the Indian government announced
that it is considering a rail link from Manipur to Vietnam via Myanmar.[43]

Services
Passenger services

Classes of service
Interior of a First Class(1A) compartment in the Rajdhani Express

Interior of a 3-tier AC(3AC) compartment of the Dakshin Express

Interior of an air-conditioned Chair Car (CC) coach in a Jan Shatabdi Express.

IR has several classes of travel with or without air conditioning. A train may have just one or
many classes of travel. Slow passenger trains have only unreserved seating class whereas
Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Garib Rath Express, Duronto Express, Double Decker
Express, Tejas Express, Humsafar Express and Yuva Express trains have only air-
conditioned classes. The fares for all classes are different with unreserved seating class
being the cheapest. The fare of Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains includes food served
in the train, but the fare for other trains does not include food that has to be bought
separately. From September 2016, the IR have introduced dynamic fares for all
accommodation classes for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains(except 1AC and EC
classes) to shore up revenue.[44] In long-distance trains a pantry car is usually included and
the food is served at the berth or seat itself. Food in pantry cars, run by private vendors are
usually 100% overpriced due to wide spread yet well known corruption in Indian Railways.
Luxury trains such as Palace on Wheels have separate dining cars, but these trains cost as
much as or more than a five-star hotel room.

A standard passenger rake has four unreserved (also called "general") compartments, two
at the front and two at the end, of which one may be exclusively for ladies. The exact
number of other coaches varies according to the demand and the route. A luggage
compartment can also exist at the front or the back. In some mail trains, a separate mail
coach is attached. Lavatories are communal and feature both the Indian style as well as
the Western style.

The following table lists the classes in operation. A train may not have all these classes.
Class[45] Description[46][47]
1A AC first class: This is the most expensive class, where the fares are almost at par
with air fare. There are eight cabins (including two coupes) in the full AC First
Class coach and three cabins (including one coupe) in the half AC First Class
coach. The coach has an attendant to help the passengers. Bedding is included
with the fare. This air conditioned coach is present only on popular routes and can
carry 18 passengers (full coach) or 10 passengers (half coach). The sleeper
berths are extremely wide and spacious. The coaches are carpeted, have sleeping
accommodation and have privacy features like personal coupes.
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 berths longways on the other side of the corridor, with
curtains along the gangway or corridor. Bedding is included with the fare. A coach
can carry 48 passengers (full coach) or 20 passengers (half coach).
FC First class: Similar as 1AC, but without air conditioning. No bedding is available in
this class. The berths are not as wide and spacious as in 1AC . There is a coach
attendant to help the passengers. This class has been phased out completely.
However heritage trains still have this class.
3A AC three tier: Air conditioned coaches with 64 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 or curtained off gangways. Bedding is included with fare. It carries
64 passengers per coach.
3E AC three tier (economy): Air conditioned coaches with sleeping berths, present in
Garib Rath Express trains. Berths are usually arranged as in 3A 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 not included with fare.
EC Executive chair car: An air-conditioned coach with large spacious seats and
legroom. It has a total of four seats in a row used for day travel between cities.
This class of travel is available on Tejas Express and Shatabdi Express trains.
CC AC chair car: An air-conditioned seater coach with a total of five seats in a row
used for day travel between cities. AC Double Deck sitter coaches are used in
Double Decker Express.
SL Sleeper class: The sleeper class is the most common coach on IR, and usually ten
or more coaches of SL could be attached to a train rake. These are regular
 sleeping coaches with three berths across the width and two longways, without air
conditioning. It carries 72 passengers per coach.
2S Second seater: similar as CC, without the air-conditioning. Non-AC Double Deck
sitter were introduced to few Mumbai-Pune trains and the Flying Ranee. However
Flying Ranee is the only train that uses Non-AC Double Decker sitter coaches.
UR/GEN Unreserved/General: This is the cheapest accommodation. These coaches are
usually over-crowded and a seat is not guaranteed. Tickets issued are valid on any
train on the same route if boarded within 24 hours of buying the ticket.

At the rear of the train is a special compartment known as the guard's cabin. It is fitted with
a transceiver and is where the guard usually gives the all clear signal before the train
departs.

Types of passenger trains

Gatiman Express. A semi high speed train

Mumbai Rajdhani Express. Rajdhanis are long-distance high-speed and high-priority trains connecting major state
capitals with New Delhi

Secunderabad Yeshwanthpur Garib-Rath Express. Garib-Raths are low cost A/C trains

Trains are sorted into various categories that dictate the number of stops along their route,
the priority they enjoy on the network, and the fare structure. Each express train is identified
by a five-digit number, the first digit as 1 and 2 for long-distance Express trains. If the first
digit is 0, then the train is a Special. The first digit as 5 denotes a passenger train. The
second digit indicates the zone that operates the train, the third the division within the zone
that controls the train and is responsible for its regular maintenance and cleanliness, and
the last two digits are the train's serial number.[48] The system was changed from four
digits from 20 December 2010,[49] to accommodate an increasing number of trains.

For super-fast trains, the second digit is always 2 (the first remains 1 or 2),[48] the third digit
is the zone, the fourth is the division and only the last digit is the serial number within the
division. Trains travelling in opposite directions along the same route are usually labelled
with consecutive numbers.[48] However, there is considerable variation in train numbers and
some zones, such as Central Railway, has a less systematic method for numbering
trains.[48] Most express trains also have a unique name that is usually exotic and taken
from landmarks, famous people, rivers and so on.[50][51]

Trains are classified by their average speed.[52] A faster train has fewer stops ("halts") than
a slower one and usually caters to long-distance travel.
S.no Train Description

It is a semi-high speed full AC train introduced by Indian Railways, featuring newer modern on-board facilities. The inaugural run of Tejas Express was on 24th May 2017. It covers
1 Tejas Express 551.7 km in 8 hours and 30 minutes. Coaches have bio-vacuum toilets, water level indicators, tap sensors, hand dryers, integrated braille displays, LED TV for each passenger with
phone sockets, local cuisine, celebrity chef menu, WiFi, tea and coffee vending machines, magazines, snack tables, CCTV cameras, fire & smoke detection and suppression system.

2 Gatimaan It is the first semi high speed train full AC that runs between Delhi and Agra in India. It operates at a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and is the fastest train in India. The train takes a travel
Express time of 100 minutes to cover 188 km (117 mi) journey from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantonment railway stations.

3 Shatabdi The Shatabdi trains are air-conditioned, intercity trains for travel during daytime. Unlike the Rajdhani or Duronto Expresses, all Shatabdi expresses, it makes a round trip on same day.
Express The Bhopal Shatabdi Express (Train no: 12001/12002) is second fastest train in India, between New Delhi and Agra cantonment, this train travels at an average speed of 90 km/h
(56 mph) and touches top speed of 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph). They have seats and executive class seats, Some also have 3-tier AC berth. They have limited stops. It has on
board Wi-fi facility.[53]

4 Rajdhani These are air-conditioned trains linking major cities to New Delhi. They have high priority and are one of the fastest trains in India, travelling at a maximum speed of around 130–
Express 140 km/h (81–87 mph). They have limited stops. In the Railway budget of 2014, it was proposed that the speed of Rajdhani express, and Shatabdi Expresses would be increased up
180 km/h (110 mph).

5 Duronto These are the non-stop (except for technical halts) point to point rail services introduced for the first time in 2009, but since January 2016 it is possible to book tickets from those
Express technical stops. They connect the metros and major state capitals of India and were introduced to travel as fast or faster than the Rajdhani Express. They provide first AC, two-tier AC
and three-tier AC accommodation. Some of them provide non air-conditioned Sleeper Class accommodation.

6 Humsafar These are fully AC 3 tier coaches trains. It is also called semi-luxury train. These train provide so facilities like LED screen display to show information about stations and train speed,
Express Speakers for announcement system, Vending machines for tea and coffee, Charging ports for charging electronic devices such as mobiles and laptops, Bio toilets in compartments,
Safety measures in compartments such as introduction of smoke alarms and CCTV cameras, Heating chamber as well as a refrigerating box for keeping food, curtains to maintain
privacy, Providing with new khadi bed rolls etc.

7 AC Express These are fully air-conditioned trains linking major cities in the country. They have high priority and are one of the fastest trains in India, travelling at about 130 km/h (81 mph). They
have limited stops.

8 Double These are fully air-conditioned two floor express trains. They have high priority and limited stops. These trains are used for daytime travel.
Decker
Express

9 Uday Express Same as Double Decker Express, these are fully air-conditioned two floor express trains. They have high priority and have limited stops. These trains have berth facility and are used for
night travel.

10 Garib Rath Air-conditioned no-frills trains with seats and 3-tier Economy AC berths. The maximum speed is 130 km/h (81 mph). Some of them have AC Chair cars also.

11 Yuva Express These trains were started along with Duronto Express trains to provide air conditioned travel to youth of the country. Sixty percent of the seats of these trains were reserved for
passengers between 18 – 45 years of age. These trains did not enjoy much success. Today these trains only operate on the Delhi - Howrah and Delhi - Mumbai routes.

12 Jan Shatabdi Jan Shatabdi Express are more affordable variety of the Shatabdi Express, which have both AC and non-AC classes. The maximum speed is 110 km/h (68 mph). They have stops and
Express priority similar to that of Shatabdi Express.

13 Sampark These are a series of trains which provide super fast Express-like connectivity to the national capital Delhi. Currently many pairs of these trains operate on the network.
Kranti
Express

14 Kavi Guru These trains were introduced in honor of Rabindranath Tagore. Currently four pairs of these trains operate on the network.
Express

15 Vivek Express These trains were introduced to commemorate the 150th birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in 2013. Currently four pairs of Vivek Express run in the country.

16 Rajya Rani These trains were introduced to connect state capitals to important cities in that state.
Express

17 Mahamana It is the new version of coaches with modern benefits and facilities. The livery of the train is also different from other train. It is a tri-weekly superfast train service which runs between
Express the city of Varanasi and New Delhi via Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Lucknow and Moradabad.

18 Intercity These trains were introduced to connect important cities for short routes. These appear in both Superfast Express speed and Express speed category. Some of the famous legendary
Express Intercity Express are Deccan Queen, Flying Ranee and Bilaspur Nagpur Intercity Express.

19 Antyodaya These are fully non reserved super fast trains. Antyodaya Express operates on peak routes. These trains are run to reduce the pressure on other trains on that route. These trains have
Express LHB coaches.

20 Jan Sadharan These are fully non reserved express trains. Jan Sadharan Express operates on peak routes. These trains are run to reduce the pressure on other trains on that route.
Express

21 Superfast These trains travel at a speed greater than 100–110 km/h (62–68 mph). Tickets for these trains have an additional superfast surcharge.
Express/Mail

22 Express/Mails These are the most common kind of trains in India. They have more stops than their super-fast counterparts, but they stop only at relatively important intermediate stations.

23 Fast These are slow trains that stop at most or every station along the route and are the cheapest trains. The trains generally have unreserved seating accommodation but some night trains
Passenger have sleeper and 3-tier AC compartments. These trains travel at about 40–80 km/h (25–50 mph).
and
Passenger

24 Suburban These trains operate in the urban areas of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune and between Kanpur and Lucknow, usually stop at every stations
trains and have unreserved seating accommodation.

25 Metro These trains are designed for city transport. The first metro constructed was Kolkata Metro for the city of Kolkata.

26 Luxury Trains IR also operate luxurious trains like Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Maharaja Express, Deccan Odyssey, The Golden Chariot, Mahaparinirvan Express. Fairy Queen has
also gained tourist attraction because it is the oldest steam engine in the world in operation, also hauling a luxurious train from Delhi to Alwar.

27 Mountain These are railways that run in hilly regions in India. Three of these lines were combined declared a World Heritage site as "Mountain Railways of India" by UNESCO.[54]
railways of
India

Luxury trains

Palace on Wheels is a specially designed luxury tourist train service, frequently hauled by
a steam locomotive, for promoting tourism in Rajasthan.[55] The train has a 7 nights & 8
days itinerary, it departs from New Delhi (Day 1), and covers Jaipur (Day 2), Sawai
 Madhopur and Chittaurgarh (Day 3), Udaipur (Day 4), Jaisalmer (Day 5), Jodhpur (Day 6),
Bharatpur and Agra (Day 7), return to Delhi (Day 8).
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels a luxury tourist train service covers various tourist
destinations in Rajasthan. The train takes tourists on a 7-day/8-night tour through
Rajasthan. The train starts from New Delhi's Safdarjung railway station (Day 1), and has
stops at Jodhpur (Day 2), Udaipur and Chittaurgarh (Day 3), Ranthambore National Park
and Jaipur (Day 4), Khajuraho (Day 5), Varanasi and Sarnath (Day 6), Agra (Day 7) and
back to Delhi (Day 8).[56]
Maharaja Express a luxury train operated by IRCTC runs on five circuits[57] covering more
than 12 destinations across North-West and Central India, mainly centered around
Rajasthan between the months of October to April.

The Maharajas Express, one of the world's most luxurious trains.

Deccan Odyssey luxury tourist train service covers various tourist destinations in
Maharashtra and Goa. The 7 Nights / 8 Days tour starts from Mumbai (Day 1) and covers
Jaigad Fort, Ganapatipule and Ratnagiri (Day 2), Sindhudurg, Tarkarli and Sawantwadi
(Day 3), Goa (Day 4), Kolhapur and Pune (Day 5), Aurangabad and Ellora Caves (Day 6),
Ajanta Caves and Nashik (Day 7), and back to Mumbai (Day 8).[58]
The Golden Chariot luxury train runs on two circuits Pride of the South[59] and Splendor of
the South.[60]
Mahaparinirvan Express an a/c train service also known as Buddhist Circuit Train which is
run by IRCTC to attract Buddhist pilgrims. The 7 nights/8 Days tour starts from New Delhi
(Day 1) and covers Bodh Gaya (Day 2), Rajgir and Nalanda (Day 3), Varanasi and Sarnath
(Day 4), Kushinagar and Lumbini (Day 5 and 6), Sravasti (Day 7), Taj Mahal (Agra) (Day 8)
before returning to New Delhi on (Day 8).[61]

Ticketing

An Indian Railway Ticket from Chennai Central to Vijayawada by Howrah Mail.

India has some of the lowest train fares in the world, and passenger traffic is heavily
subsidised by more expensive higher class fares.[62] Until the late 1980s, Indian Railway
ticket reservations were done manually. In late 1987, the Railways started using a
computerised ticketing system. The entire ticketing system went online in 1995 to provide
up to date information on status and availability. Today the ticketing network at railway
stations is computerised to a large extent, with the exception of some remote places for
which passengers can use online UMANG app. Computerized tickets can be booked for
any two points in the country. Tickets can also be booked through the internet and via
mobile phones, though this method carries an additional surcharge.

Discounted tickets are available for senior citizens (above sixty years) and some other
categories of passengers including the disabled, students, sports persons, persons
affected by serious diseases, or persons appearing for competitive examinations. One
compartment of the lowest class of accommodation is earmarked for ladies in every
passenger carrying train. Some berths or seats in sleeper class and second class are also
earmarked for ladies.[63] Season tickets permitting unlimited travel on specific sections or
specific trains for a specific time period may also be available. Foreign tourists can buy an
Indrail Pass,[64] which is modelled on the Eurail Pass, permitting unlimited travel in India for
a specific time period.

For long-distance travel, reservation of a berth can be done for comfortable travel up to 120
days before the date of intended travel.[63] Details such as the name, age and concession
(if eligible) are required and are recorded on the ticket. The ticket price usually includes the
base fare, which depends on the classification of the train (example: super-fast surcharge if
the train is classified as a super-fast), the class in which one wishes to travel and the
reservation charge for overnight journeys.

If a seat is not available, then the ticket is given a wait listed number; else the ticket is
confirmed, and a berth number is printed on the ticket. A person receiving a wait listed
ticket must wait until there are enough cancellations to enable him to move up the list and
obtain a confirmed ticket.[63][64] If his ticket is not confirmed on the day of departure, he
may not board the train. Some of the tickets are assigned to the RAC or Reservation
against Cancellation, which is between the waiting list and the confirmed list.[63][64] These
allow the ticket holder to board the train and obtain an allotted seat decided by a ticket
collector, after the ticket collector has ascertained that there is a vacant (absentee) seat.
Reserved Railway Tickets can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering
and Tourism Corporation Ltd.[65] and also through mobile Phones and SMS. Tickets booked
through this site are categorised into iTickets and eTickets. iTickets are booked by a
passenger and then printed and delivered to the passenger for carrying during journey.
eTickets are printed by the passenger and carried while travelling. While travelling on an
eTicket, one must carry one of the authorised valid Photo Identity Cards. Cancellation of
eTickets are also done online, without the requirement for the passenger to go to any
counter. Unreserved tickets are available for purchase on the platform at any time before
departure. An unreserved ticket holder may only board the general compartment class. All
suburban networks issue unreserved tickets valid for a limited time period. For frequent
commuters, a season pass (monthly or quarterly) guarantees unlimited travel between two
stops.

Freight services

In 1999, the Konkan Railway Corporation introduced the Roll on Roll off (RORO) service, a
unique road-rail synergy system, on the section between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in
Goa,[66] which was extended up to Surathkal in Karnataka in 2004.[67][68] The RORO service,
the first of its kind in India, allowed trucks to be transported on flatbed trailers. It was highly
popular,[69] carrying about 110,000 trucks and bringing in about ₹ 740 million worth of
earnings to the corporation till 2007.[70]

UNESCO world heritage sites

There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites on IR, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Terminus[71] and the Mountain Railways of India.[72] The latter consists of three separate
railway lines located in different parts of India, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a 610 mm
(2 ft) narrow gauge railway in Lesser Himalayas in West Bengal, the Nilgiri Mountain
Railway, a 1,000 mm (3 ft 33⁄8 in) metre gauge rack railway in the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu
and the Kalka-Shimla Railway, a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) narrow gauge railway in the Siwalik Hills
in Himachal Pradesh.[72]

Issues
Cash strapped IR Railways carry an annual social obligation of over ₹200 billion
(US$3.2 billion). IR passenger segment had a loss of ₹300 billion (US$4.7 billion) in fy
2013-2014, leading to 23 paise (0.36¢ US) loss per passenger-km and residual cash
surplus of just ₹6.9 billion (US$110 million).[73] Operating ratio was unhealthy 109% in April-
Dec 2016.[74]

Between 2004 and 2014, 99 new rail line projects were announced in the annual Railway
Budgets without securing additional funding for those, only 1 project is complete till date,
completion of the remaining 98 will require ₹5 trillion (US$79 billion), including 4
incomplete projects that are 30 years old (c. 2014).[73]

The railway is consistently losing market share to other modes of transport both in freight
and passengers.[75]

Future
IR's Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), undertakes research, designs
and standardisation. IR has undertaken several initiatives to upgrade its ageing
infrastructure and enhance its quality of service. The Indian government plans to invest
₹9.05 trillion (US$140 billion) to upgrade the railways by 2020.[76]

Infrastructure

Infrastructure modernisation projects include, High-speed rail in India with first Ahmdabad-
Mumbai train being operation from 2025,[77][78][79][80][81] Redevelopment of 400 railway
stations by monetizing 2700 acres of spare railway land under the ₹1,070,000 crore
(US$169 billion) plan,[82] doubling of tracks to reduce congestion and delays while
improving safety (15,000 km double tracks already exist by 2016 and funding for 12,500 km
more track doubling was approved in 2016)[83] Railway coach refurbishment to refurbish 12
to 15 years old coaches at Carriage Rehabilitation Workshop in Bhopal to enhance
passenger amenities and fire safety measures,[84][85] Global Positioning System (GPS)
enabled tracking of trains to improve safety and service,[86]

Digital India driven ₹3,500,000 million (US$55 billion) digitalisation of railway to

improvement efficiency and reduce cost (2016),[83] rainwater harvesting with 1885
Rainwater Harvesting systems already installed at different locations by December
2016,[87] and reforestation on the railway land and along the tracks being undertaken.[88]

Electrification and power

electrification of all routes to save on the imported fuel costs (48% network is already
electrified by May 2016 and 100% will be electrified by March 2021)[83] Off-the-grid solar
powered trains by installing 1 gigawatt of solar and 130 megawatts of wind power between
2017-2022 (India introduced world's first solar powered train in June 2017 as well as 50
coaches with rooftop solar farms),[89][90][91][92] Rooftop solar electricity at stations to reduce
long-term fuel cost and protect environment,[93] and sustainable LED lighting on all stations
by March 2018 to cut electricity costs.[94] introduction of bio-toilets (2,285 from April to July
2014), and modernisation of locomotive factories (including 2 new factories in of Bihar at
Madhepura (electric locomotive) and at Marhaura (Diesel Locomotive).[95][96][97][98] In the
same month, a ₹200 billion (US$3.2 billion) partnership with Alstom to supply 800 electric
locomotives from 2018 to 2028 was announced.[76]

Safety

Safety projects include, elimination of Unmanned Level Crossings at an average of 1217

per year by building an average of 1066 Road Over Bridges (ROB) and Road Under Bridges
(RUB) per year (May 2016),[99][83] automated fire alarm system project by installing
automated fire alarm System in Rajdhani Express trains from 2013 onward (these will be
installed in the AC coaches of all regular trains),[100] and GPS-enabled Fog Pilot Assistance
System railway signalling devices in place of the old practice of putting firecrackers on train
tracks to alter train divers (6,095 installing devices in four most affected zones in 2017,
Northern Railway zone, North Central Railway zone, North Eastern Railway zone and North
Western Railway zone).[101]

See also
Rail transport in India
List of countries by rail transport network size
Indian Railways Fan Club

References
1. "[IRFCA] Indian Railways FAQ: IR History: Early Days - 1" . www.irfca.org.
2. "Indian Railways Statistical Publications 2015-16: Statistical Summary" (PDF). Ministry of
Railway. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
3. "Indian Railways Statistical Publications 2015-16: Annual Reports & Accounts" (PDF).
Ministry of Railway. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
4. "Indian Railways Statistical Publications 2014-15: The Network" (PDF). Ministry of Railway.
Retrieved 9 February 2017.
5. "Indian Railways Statistical Publications 2015-16: Year Book 2015-16" (PDF). Ministry of
Railway. p. 62. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
6. "Indian Railways Statistical Publications 2015-16: Year Book 2015-16" (PDF). Ministry of
Railway. p. 23. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
7. "[IRFCA] India's First Railways" . www.irfca.org.
8. "164 Years Ago On This Day, India's First Train Ran From Mumbai To Thane" .
9. "India's 1st train: When Sahib, Sindh & Sultan blew steam - Times of India" .
10. "Facts about the Indian Railways that will surprise you!" . 11 December 2015.
11. "Legacy of First Railway Station of South India" . RailNews Media India Ltd.
12. "Kolkata's trams – A ride through history" . 2 March 2016.
13. "Welcome to Official Website of CORE" . www.core.indianrailways.gov.in.
14. "History of Railways" . www.kportal.indianrailways.gov.in.
15. http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ir_zones.pdf
16. "160 years of Indian Railways: Here's how AC trains were kept cool" . 2 April 2013.
17. http://icisa.cag.gov.in/audit_report/2/15db5cf8539e7f66e05214564e6b5d01.pdf
18. "Shatabdi Express - Shatabdi Express Train, Shatabadi Express Timetable, Shatabadi
Express Schedule Booking India" . www.iloveindia.com.
19. "Indian Railway" . www.indianrailways.gov.in.
20. "IRCTC Next Generation eTicketing System" . www.irctc.co.in.
21. "48 per cent rail tracks electrified, aim to double it in 5 years: Govt" . 31 March 2017.
22. "Organization Structure" (PDF). Indian Railways. 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
23. "Indian Railways Report" (PDF). Indian Railways. 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
24. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved
13 January 2016.
25. Singh, Vijay Pratap (27 February 2010). "SMS complaint system: A Northern Railway
brainwave spreads" . Indian Express. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
26. Indian Railways Facts and Figures (2011–2012) . Ministry of Railways, Government of
India. 2012. p. personnel. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
27. "Zones and their Divisions in Indian Railways" (PDF). Indian Railways. Archived from the
original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
28. "Railway Board Directorates" . INDIAN RAILWAY ESTABLISHMENT CODE. Indian Railways.
29. "Indian Railways level which constitutes the Governing Council of Association" . irts.org.in.
30. "Indian Railways Establishment Manual" . rrcb.gov.in.
31. "RRB NTPC exam 2016" . indianexpress.com.
32. "India's first CNG train flagged off" .
33. "New Technology allows Railways to save Rs 20 Lakhs Diesel per Engine" . Retrieved
6 September 2013.
34. Indian Railways joins 1 billion tonne club in freight loading - Yahoo! News India .
In.news.yahoo.com (2 April 2013). Retrieved on 16 July 2013.
35. "BLC-A Container Flat Wagon" . Titagarh Wagons Limited. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
36. "Locomotives — General Information – I" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved
4 June 2007.
37. "Railways opts for standard gauge first time in 160 yrs - Latest News & Updates at Daily
News & Analysis" . 3 June 2013.
38. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification
39. "Signalling System" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
40. "India approves new railway link with Bangladesh" . TwoCircles.net. Retrieved
15 December 2012.
41. "Rail link from Manipur to Vietnam on cards: Tharoor" . The Times Of India. 9 April 2010.
42. "Neighbours to the west get closer" . Bangkok Post. 28 February 2012. Retrieved
15 December 2012.
43. "Rail link from Manipur to Vietnam on cards: Tharoor" . The Times of India. 9 April 2010.
44. "Premium railway fares hiked up to 50 per cent in new dynamic pricing model" . 8
September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
45. "Accommodation Classes in Indian Railways" . Indian Railways. Retrieved 15 November
2016.
46. "General Information on travelling by IR" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved
3 June 2007.
47. "Class of Travel" . indiarail.co.uk. S.D. Enterprises Ltd. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
48. "The system of train numbers" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 3 June
2007.
49. "New Train Number Enquiry" . Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Inquiry. Centre For
Railway Information Systems. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
50. "Train names" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
51. Sekhsaria, Pankaj (24 June 2005). "What's in a Train Name?" . The Hindu Business Line.
Retrieved 4 June 2007.
52. "railway operations — I" . IRFCA.org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
53. "RRB Railway Recruitment" . Archived from the original on 20 March 2017.
54. "Toy Trains of India" . Our Trips – Royal Train Tours. India Calling Tours (P) Limited.
Retrieved 12 May 2007.
55. "NPalace on wheels - Exclusive Indian train was originally used by royalty" . Times of India.
13 October 2012.
56. "Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Itinerary | Tour Program for 2014–15" .
Royalsrajasthanonwheels.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
57. "The Maharajas' Express Train Journeys Season 2014–2015" . The-maharajas.com.
Retrieved 27 April 2014.
58. Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)
59. "Tour Itinerary - Tour Itinerary of Golden Chariot Train, Itinerary of Golden Chariot Train" .
Goldenchariottrain.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
60. "Southern Splendour Tour - South India Tour and South India Tour Package" .
Goldenchariottrain.com. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
61. "Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)" . Indianrailways.gov.in. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
62. Joshi, V; I. M. D. Little (17 October 1996). "Industrial Policy and Factor Markets". India's
Economic Reforms, 1991–2001 . USA: Oxford University Press. p. 184. ISBN 0-19-829078-0.
Retrieved 25 June 2007.
63. "Reservation Rules" . Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 24 June 2007.
Retrieved 25 June 2007.
64. "General Information on travelling by IR" . Travelling by Train in India, IRFCA.org. Indian
Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
65. "Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited" . www.irctc.co.in. Retrieved
3 June 2007.
66. "Road-Rail Synergy System" . Press release, Press Information Bureau, dated 2004-20-05.
Retrieved 22 December 2008.
67. "New Konkan Rly service begins" . Online edition of the Business Standard, dated 2004-06-
16. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
68. "RORO service again on Konkan Railway" . Online edition of The Hindu Business Line,
dated 2004-06-11. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
69. S. Vydhianathan. "Convergence on the Konkan Railway" . Online edition of The Hindu,
dated 2003-14-11. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
70. "ROLL ON- ROLL OFF (RORO) SERVICE ON KONKAN RAILWAY" (PDF). Official webpage of
the Konkan Railway Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2009. Retrieved
22 December 2008.
71. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)" . World Heritage List.
World Heritage Committee. 2004. Retrieved 5 January 2009.
72. "Mountain Railways of India" . World Heritage List. World Heritage Committee. 1999.
Retrieved 5 January 2009.
73. "Railway Budget 2014-15" (PDF).
74. Sood, Jyotika (16 February 2017). "Railways' operating ratio touches a record 109% in
April–December" . Livemint. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
75.
http://www.livemint.com/r/LiveMint/Period1/2014/07/08/Photos/w_Rail_Budget_Precursor_g
rfx.jpg
76. "GE, Alstom land $5.6-billion deals to supply locomotives for railways" . Economic Times.
10 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
77. BJP Manifesto 2014
78. Diamond quadrilateral of high-speed trains - A Dastidar, Indian Express, 10 June 2014
79. India to sign deal with Japan to get first bullet train - The Hindu
80. Japan's High-Speed Rail Breakthrough | The Diplomat
81. India Said to Pick Japan for High-Speed Rail Project - WSJ
82. Railways appoints IRSDC as nodal agency for station redevelopment , Livemint, 5 Dec
2017.
83. Indian Railways orders conversion to Broad Gauge , Rail Digest, 12 Apr 2017.
84. "Indian Railways gets first model rake of luxury 'Make in India' coaches" . The Economic
Times. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
85. "Indian Railways unveils 'Make in India' train coaches with new look" . The Financial
Express. The Indian Express Group. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
86. "Just like your cabs, you can soon track trains in real time via GPS | Latest News &
Updates at Daily News & Analysis" . dna. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
87. Rain Water Harvesting System In Indian Railway , 7 Dec 2016.
88. India Plants 50 Million Trees in One Day, Smashing World Record , National Geographic,
July 2016.
89. "India's first solar-powered DEMU train launched" . The Hindu. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
90. Railways, IIT-Madras tie up to power AC coaches with solar energy | News | Eco-Business -
Asia's Cleantech & Sustainable Business Community . Eco-Business (5 August 2013).
Retrieved on 17 August 2013.
91. India’s new solar-powered train is the first in the world , June 2017
92. Ghoshal, Devjyot. "India is rolling out trains with solar-powered coaches that'll save
thousands of litres of diesel" . Quartz. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
93. "NORTHERN RAILWAYS TO INSTALL 5 MW ROOFTOP SOLAR IN FOUR OF ITS STATIONS" .
94. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/all-railway-stations-to-be-100-pc-led-lit-by-april-
2018-rlys/articleshow/62138170.cms Indian Railways plans to make all stations 100% LED lit
by March 31, 2018], Times of India, 19 Dec 2017.
95. kumar, prabhat (1 October 2016). "wrongly mentioned loco type" . Retrieved 1 October
2016.
96. "Locomotive Factories in Bihar: In cold storage for years, two Railway projects to start
soon" . Indian Express. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
97. "GE Gets $2.6 Billion Indian Railways Contract" . Wall Street Journal. 9 November 2015.
Retrieved 9 November 2015.
98. "Rail ministry awards Rs 14,656-cr Marhowra locomotive project to GE" . Business
Standard. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
99. Indian Railways commissions around 4800 kilometer of broad gauge track in last two
financial years which is a record performance , 12 May 2016.
100. "Indian Railways develops Automatic Fire and Smoke Detection System" . Retrieved
5 September 2013.
101. "Indian Railways to use GPS-enabled devices to fight fog this season" , The Economic
Times, 12 December 2017.

Further reading
Aguiar, Marian. Tracking Modernity: India's Railway and the Culture of Mobility (University
of Minnesota Press; 2011) 226 pages; draws on literature, film, and other realms to
 explore the role of the railway in the Indian imagination. excerpt and text search
Bear, Linda. Lines of the Nation: Indian Railway Workers, Bureaucracy, and the Intimate
Historical Self (2007) excerpt and text search
Kerr, Ian J. Railways in Modern India (2001) excerpt and text search
Kerr, Ian J. Engines of Change: The Railroads That Made India (2006)
Kumar, Sudhir, and Shagun Mehrotra. Bankruptcy to Billions: How the Indian Railways
Transformed Itself (2009)
"IR History: Early Day" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 19 June 2005.
"Zones" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Locomotives" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Production Units & Workshops" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Signalling Systems" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Geography : International" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Rolling stock" . Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Signal Aspects and Indications – Principal Running Signals" . Indian Railways Fan Club.
Retrieved 26 June 2005.
"Salient Features of Indian Railways" . Indian Railways. Archived from the original on 18
June 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2005.
"Indian Railways Online Passenger Reservation Site" . Indian Railways. Archived from the
original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2005.

External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Indian Railways.

Listen to this article (info/dl)

This audio file was created from a revision of the article "Indian Railways" dated 2006-03-15, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)

More spoken articles

Indian Railways Live Information, Official website
Ministry of Indian Railways, Official website
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_Railways&oldid=817303775"

Last edited 12 days ago by Fylindfotberserk

Content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0 unless otherwise noted.