Citizendia

This article is about the technical workings and operations of railways in India which are run by the Indian Railways. Indian Railways (भारतीय रेल Bhāratīya Rail) abbreviated as IR (hi भारे is a Department of the Government of India under the Ministry
See also History of rail transport in India. This article is part of the History of rail transport by country series
Map showing the Indian rail network and travelling times between major stations
Map showing the Indian rail network and travelling times between major stations

Rail transport is a commonly used mode of long-distance transportation in India. Traditional means Walking In ancient times people often covered long distances on foot India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Almost all rail operations in India are handled by a state-owned company, Indian Railways, under the federal Ministry of Railways. Indian Railways (भारतीय रेल Bhāratīya Rail) abbreviated as IR (hi भारे is a Department of the Government of India under the Ministry The rail network traverses the length and breadth of the country, covering a total length of 63,140 kilometres (39,233 mi). The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States [1] It is said to be the 2nd largest railway network in the world, transporting over 5 billion passengers and over 350 million tonnes of freight annually. The EMD E9 was a, A1A-A1A Passenger train -hauling Diesel locomotive built by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange This article is about the tonne or metric ton For other tons see Ton. Cargo (or freight) refers to goods or produce transported generally for Commercial gain by ship, aircraft, train, [1] Its operations cover twenty-eight states and three union territories and also provide limited service to Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. India is a union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and

Railways were introduced to India in 1853,[2] and by the time of India's independence in 1947 they had grown to forty-two rail systems. The term " Indian independence movement " is diffuse incorporating various national and regional campaigns agitations and efforts of both Nonviolent and Militant In 1951 the systems were nationalised as one unit—Indian Railways—to form one of the largest networks in the world. Nationalization, also spelled nationalisation, is the act of taking an industry or assets into the Public ownership of a national government Indian Railways (भारतीय रेल Bhāratīya Rail) abbreviated as IR (hi भारे is a Department of the Government of India under the Ministry Locomotives manufactured at several places in India are assigned codes identifying their gauge, kind of power and type of operation. A locomotive is a railway Vehicle that provides the motive power for a Train. Colour signal lights are used as signals, but in some remote areas of operation, the older semaphores and disc-based signalling are still in use. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. Accommodation classes range from general through first class AC. Trains have been classified according to speed and area of operation. Many trains are officially identified by a four-digit code, though many are commonly known by unique names. The ticketing system has been computerised to a large extent, and there are reserved as well as unreserved categories of tickets.

Contents

Track

Broad gauge is the most predominant gauge used by the Indian railway.
Broad gauge is the most predominant gauge used by the Indian railway. Broad gauge Railways use a Rail gauge (distance between the rails greater than the Standard gauge of. Rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the two parallel rails that make up a railway track.

The total length of track used by Indian Railways is about 108,805 km (67,608 mi) while the total route length of the network is 63,465 km (39,435 mi). [3] About 28% of the route-kilometre and 40% of the total track kilometre is electrified. [3] Track sections are rated for speeds ranging from 75 to 160 km/h (47 to 99 mph). (For the South African airport with IATA code "KMH" see Johan Pienaar Airport. Indian railways uses three gauges, the Broad gauge (wider than the standard gauge—4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)); the metre gauge; and the narrow gauge (narrower than the standard gauge). Broad gauge Railways use a Rail gauge (distance between the rails greater than the Standard gauge of. The standard gauge (also named the Stephenson gauge after George Stephenson, or Normal gauge) is a widely-used Rail gauge. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to A narrow gauge railway (or narrow gauge railroad) is a Railway that has a Track gauge narrower than the of Standard gauge railways A narrow gauge railway (or narrow gauge railroad) is a Railway that has a Track gauge narrower than the of Standard gauge railways

Broad gauge—1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)—is the most widely used gauge in India with 89,771 km (55,781 mi) of track. In some regions with less traffic, the metre gauge—1,000 mm (3 ft 3. 7 in)—is common, although the Unigauge project is in progress to convert all tracks to broad gauge. Narrow gauge is present on a few routes, lying in hilly terrains and in some erstwhile private railways (on cost considerations), which are usually difficult to convert to broad gauge. Narrow gauge covers a total of 3,350 km (2,080 mi). [3] The Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway are two notable hill lines that use narrow gauge. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR connects the town of Mettupalayam with the Hill station of Udagamandalam (Ooty in the Nilgiri Hills of southern The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the "Toy Train" is a gauge Narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West [4]

In most places sleepers (ties) used are made of prestressed concrete, or steel or cast iron posts, though teak sleepers are still in use on few older lines. A railroad tie, cross tie, or railway sleeper is a rectangular object used as a base for Railroad tracks. Prestressed concrete is a method for overcoming the Concrete 's natural weakness in tension. Teak ( Tectona) is a genus of tropical Hardwood Trees in the family Verbenaceae, native to the south and southeast of Asia The prestressed concrete sleeper which is in wide use today is based on RDSO Drawing No. RDSO=T-2496. Metal sleepers were also extensively used before the advent of concrete sleepers. Indian Railways divides the country into four zones on the basis of the range of track temperature. Temperature is a physical property of a system that underlies the common notions of hot and cold something that is hotter generally has the greater temperature The greatest temperature variations occur in Rajasthan, where the difference may exceed 70 °C (158 °F). Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724

Locomotives

A DMU Train
A DMU Train
Main article: Indian locomotives

Indian Railways use a specialised classification code for identifying its locomotives. Indian locomotive fleet consists electric and Diesel engines Steam engines are no longer used except for heritage trains Engines are also called The code is usually three or four letters, followed by a digit identifying the model (either assigned chronologically or encoding the power rating of the locomotive). [5] This could be followed by other codes for minor variations in the base model.

The three (or four) letters are, from left to right, the gauge of tracks on which the locomotive operates, the type of power source or fuel for the locomotive, and the kind of operation the locomotive can be used for. [5] The gauge is coded as 'W' for broad gauge, 'Y' for metre gauge, 'Z' for the 762 mm narrow gauge and 'N' for the 610 mm narrow gauge. The power source code is 'D' for diesel, 'A' for AC traction, 'C' for DC traction and 'CA' for dual traction (AC/DC). The operation letter is 'G' for freight-only operation, 'P' for passenger trains-only operation, 'M' for mixed operation (both passenger and freight) and 'S' for shunting operation. A number alongside it indicates the power rating of the engine. [5] For example '4' would indicate a power rating of above 4,000 hp (2,980 kW) but below 5,000 hp (3,730 kW). The watt (symbol W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one Joule of energy per Second. A letter following the number is used to give an exact rating. For instance 'A' would be an additional 100 horsepower (75 kW); 'B' 200 hp (150 kW) and so on. For example, a WDM-3D is a broad-gauge, diesel-powered, mixed mode (suitable for both freight and passenger duties) and has a power rating of 3400 hp (2. 5 MW). The watt (symbol W) is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one Joule of energy per Second.

The most common diesel engine used is the WDM-2, which entered production in 1962. The class WDM-2 is Indian Railways ' workhorse Diesel locomotive. This 2,600 hp (1. 9 MW) locomotive was designed by Alco and manufactured by the Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, and is used as a standard workhorse. The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco (or less frequently ALCo) was a builder of Railroad Locomotives in DLW redirects here For the DL&W railroad in the United States, see Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Varanasi ( Sanskrit: वाराणसी Vārāṇasī, pronunciation) also commonly known as Benares ( or Banaras (बनारस [6] It is being replaced by more modern engines, ranging in power up to 4,000 hp (3 MW).

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site, and one of the few steam engines in operation in India.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a World Heritage Site, and one of the few steam engines in operation in India. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the "Toy Train" is a gauge Narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex

There is a wide variety of electric locomotives used, ranging between 2,800 to 6,350 hp (2. 1 to 4. 7 MW). [6] They also accommodate the different track voltages in use. Most electrified sections in the country use 25,000 volt AC, but railway lines around Mumbai use the older 1,500 V DC system. The volt (symbol V) is the SI derived unit of electric Potential difference or Electromotive force. An alternating current ( AC) is an Electric current whose direction reverses cyclically as opposed to Direct current, whose direction remains constant Mumbai ( Marathi:,, IPA: formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial Direct current ( DC) is the unidirectional flow of Electric charge. [7] Thus, Mumbai and surrounding areas are the only places where one can find AC/DC dual locomotives of the WCAM and WCAG series. All other electric locomotives are pure AC ones from the WAP, WAG and WAM series. Some specialised electric multiple units on the Western Railway also use dual-power systems. An electric multiple unit or EMU is a Multiple unit train consisting of many carriages using Electricity as the motive power The Western Railway is one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest Railway networks in India. There are also some very rare battery-powered locomotives, primarily used for shunting and yard work.

The only steam engines still in service in India operate on two heritage lines (Darjeeling and Ooty) and on the tourist train Palace on Wheels. Darjeeling ( Nepali:) is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Ooty, short for Ootacamund (officially Udhagamandalam Tamil: உதகமண்டலம் The Palace on Wheels was the first of four luxury Trains on Indian Railways. [8] Plans are afoot to re-convert the Neral-Matheran to steam. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Neral is a town in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Matheran is a city and a Municipal council in Raigarh district in the Indian

Traction

As of March 2007, 17,810 kilometres (11,067 mi) of the total 63,465 km (39,435 mi) route length is electrified. [9] Most places use 25,000 V AC through overhead catenary delivery. In Physics and Geometry, the catenary is the theoretical Shape of a hanging flexible Chain or Cable when supported at its ends and [10] A major exception is the entire Mumbai section, which uses 1,500 V DC. [10] This is currently undergoing change to the 25,000 V system, and is scheduled for completion by 2008. Another exception is the Kolkata Metro, which uses 750 V DC delivered through a third rail. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway A third rail is a method of providing Electricity to power a railway through a continuous rigid conductor alongside the railway track or between the rails

Traction voltages are changed at two places close to Mumbai. Mumbai ( Marathi:,, IPA: formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial Central Railway trains passing through Igatpuri switch from AC to DC using a neutral section that may be switched to either voltage while the locomotives are decoupled and swapped. The Central Railway is one of the largest of the 16 zones of Indian Railways. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Igatpuri is a city and a Municipal council in Nashik District in the Indian state Western Railway trains switch power on the fly, in a section between Virar (DC) and Vaitarna (AC), where the train continues with its own momentum for about 30 m through an unelectrified section of catenary called a dead zone. The Western Railway is one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest Railway networks in India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> The name Virar comes from Eka-viraa For the Vaitarna river mentioned in Hinduism and Garuda Purana visit Vaitarna river Vaitarana is a place north of the city of Bombay, In Physics and Geometry, the catenary is the theoretical Shape of a hanging flexible Chain or Cable when supported at its ends and [10] All electric engines and EMUs operating in this section are the necessary AC/DC dual system type (classified "WCAM" by Indian Railways).

Signalling systems

See also: Railway signal and Railway signalling

The Indian Railways makes use of colour signal lights, but in some remote areas of operation, the older semaphores and discs-based signalling (depending on the position or colour) are still in use. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. Railway signalling is a system used to control Railway traffic safely essentially to prevent Trains from colliding. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. [11] Except for some high-traffic sections around large cities and junctions, the network does not use automatic block systems. Basic Automatic Block Signals Automatic Block Signal or ABS systems consist of a series of signals that govern blocks of track between the signals Safety therefore depends completely on the skill and vigilance of the personnel operating the individual signals and the drivers.

Coloured signalling makes use of multi-coloured lighting and in many places is automatically controlled. There are three modes:[11]

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 have to be placed very 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.

Semaphores make use of a mechanical arm to indicate the line condition. Several subtypes are used:[11]

Production units

Locomotives and coaches are produced in the following locations in India. [5]

Research and development

The Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) at Lucknow is the research and development wing of the Indian Railways. Lucknow is also a mansion in New Hampshire Lucknow ( लखनऊ لکھنؤ Lakhnaū) is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh [12][13] It functions as a consultant to the Indian Railways on technical matters. It also provides consultancy to other organisations connected with railway manufacture and design. RDSO has been reorganized with effect from January 1, 2003 by elevating its status from ‘Attached Office’ to ‘Zonal Railway’ to give it greater flexibility and a boost to the research and development activities. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. [1]

Accommodation classes

A standard passenger rake contains many coaches of different classes. The following table lists the classes in operation. Not all classes may be attached to a rake though.

Class[14]Description[14][15]
1AThe 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. The coaches are carpeted, have sleeping accommodation and have privacy features like personal coupes.
2AAC-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 48 passengers.
FCFirst class: Same as 1AC, without the air conditioning. This class is not very common.
3AAC 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 or curtained off gangways. Bedding is included with fare. It carries 64 passengers in broad gauge.
CCAC chair car: An air-conditioned seater coach with a total of five seats in a row used for day travel between cities.
ECExecutive class chair car: An air-conditioned seater coach with a total of four seats in a row used for day travel between cities.
SLSleeper class: The sleeper class is the most common coach, and usually up to ten coaches could be attached. These are regular sleeping coaches with three berths vertically stacked. In broad gauge, it carries 72 passengers per coach.
2SSeater class: same as AC Chair car, but without the air-conditioning.
G orURGeneral or Unreserved: The cheapest accommodation, with seats made of pressed wood and are rarely cushioned. 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.
A typical sleeper class coach
A typical sleeper class coach
Typical activity while getting off, esp in General compartments
Typical activity while getting off, esp in General compartments

At the rear of the train is a special compartment known as the guard's cabin. A caboose (North American Railway terminology) or brake van or guard's van (British terminology is a manned rail transport vehicle coupled at It is fitted with a transceiver and is where the guard usually gives the all clear signal before the train departs. A transceiver is a device that has both a Transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing A standard passenger rake generally has four general compartments, two at the front and two behind, of which one is exclusively for ladies. The exact number varies according to the demand and the route. A luggage compartment can also exist at the front or the back. In some trains a separate mail compartment is present. In long-distance trains a pantry car is usually included in the centre. A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a

Nomenclature

Trains are sorted into various categories which 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 four-digit number[16]—the first digit indicates the zone that operates the train, the second 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.

For super-fast trains, the first digit is always '2',[16] the second digit is the zone, the third 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. [16] However, there is considerable variation in train numbers and some zones, such as Central Railway, has a less systematic method for numbering trains. The Central Railway is one of the largest of the 16 zones of Indian Railways. [16] Most express trains also have a unique name attached to them which are usually exotic and are taken from landmarks, famous people, rivers and so on. [17][18] Some notable examples are:

  1. Charminar Express between Hyderabad and Chennai, named after the Charminar monument in Hyderabad. Charminar ( Devanagari: चार मीनार Nastaliq: چار مینار meaning "Four Towers" or " Mosque of the four Minarets
  2. Ashram Express between Ahmedabad and New Delhi, after Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram
  3. Gitanjali Express between Mumbai CST and Howrah (Kolkata), after Rabindranath Tagore's famous work. Ahmedabad (અમદાવાદ Amdāvād, Hindi: अहमदाबाद) is the largest city in New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmʧən̪d̪ gän̪d̪ʱi (2 October 1869 – 30 January Sabarmati Ashram ( Gujarati: સાબરમતી આશ્રમ also known as Gandhi Ashram Harijan Ashram or Satyagraha Ashram is located Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (छत्रपती शिवाजी टरमीनस formerly Victoria Terminus, and better known by its abbreviation CST or Bombay
  4. Parasuram Express between Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram, after Parasurama. Mangalore ( Kannada:, Mangalūru; Tulu: Kudla, ಕುಡ್ಲ Konkani: Kodial, ಕೊಡಿಯಾಲ್ Thiruvananthapuram ( Malayalam: തിരുവനന്തപുരം Tiruvanantapuraṁ) also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Parashurama a Brahman ( Sanskrit: परशुराम or Parasurama ( Axe-wielding Rama) the sixth Avatar of Vishnu,
  5. Prayag Raj Express between Allahabad and New Delhi, after Prayag, a sacred pilgrimage spot and the ancient name of Allahabad. Allahabad ( Hindi: इलाहाबाद Urdu: الہ آباد Ilāhābād) is a city in the north Indian state of Uttar New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. Allahabad ( Hindi: इलाहाबाद Urdu: الہ آباد Ilāhābād) is a city in the north Indian state of Uttar
  6. Lal Bagh Express between Bangalore and Chennai, after the famous Lal Bagh botanical gardens in Bangalore. Bangalore ( officially Bengaluru ( Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. For the locality in Mangalore, see Lalbagh Mangalore. For the Mughal fort in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  7. Godavari Express between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam after the Godavari River in South India. Visakhapatnam ( Telugu: విశాఖపట్టణం (also Visakhapattanamu, shortened and anglicized Visakha/Vizag or Vizagapatnam is a coastal port This article is about the river Godavari in India. For other uses see Godavari (disambiguation The Godavari ( Marathi language:गोदावरी
  8. Nilgiri (Blue Mountain) Express between Chennai and Coimbatore after the Nilgiri hills. Coimbatore (கோயம்புத்தூர் also known as Kovai (கோவை is a major industrial city in India and the second largest city in the
  9. Purshottam Express (New Delhi-Puri)
  10. Kashi Vishwanath Express (New Delhi-Varanasi)
  11. Mangla Express
  12. Bagh Express (Howrah-Kathgodam)
  13. Ala Hazarat Express (Bareilly-Bhuj)
See also: Trains of SCR

Hierarchy of trains

Trains are classified by their average speed. The South Central Railway operates various trains between different stations providing a well-developed and interconnected railway route and is considered a crucial zone connecting trains [19] A faster train has fewer stops ("halts") than a slower one and usually caters to long-distance travel.

Bholu is the mascot of the Indian Railways, adopted in 2003.
Bholu is the mascot of the Indian Railways, adopted in 2003.
RankTrainDescription
1Rajdhani ExpressesThese are all air-conditioned trains linking major cities to New Delhi. Rajdhani Express is a Passenger train service in India connecting National Capital New Delhi with other important destinations especially capitals of States in India New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. The Rajdhanis have the highest priority and are the fastest trains in India, travelling at about 140 km/h (87 mph). There are only a few stops on a Rajdhani route.
2Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi ExpressesThe Shatabdi trains are AC intercity seater-type trains. Shatabdi Expresses are a series of superfast Passenger trains which are being operated by Indian Railways, to serve as connections between Metro towns Jan-Shatabdi trains are generally non-AC and thus cheaper.
3Super-fast Expresses or MailThese are trains that have an average speed greater than 55 km/h (34 mph). Mail, or post, is a method for transmitting information and tangible objects wherein written Documents typically enclosed in Envelopes and also Tickets for these trains have an additional super-fast surcharge.
4ExpressThese are the most common kind of trains in India. Express trains (also sometimes referred to as "fast trains" are a form of rail service They have more stops than their super-fast counterparts, but they stop only at relatively important intermediate stations.
5Passenger and Fast PassengerThese are slow trains that stop at every single station, and are the cheapest trains. This article is about passengers in commercial transportation for other uses see Passenger (disambiguation A passenger is a term broadly used The entire train consists of the General-type compartments.
6Suburban trainsTrains that operate in urban areas, usually stop at all stations.

Ticketing

A ticket reservation office in Guntur Division.
A ticket reservation office in Guntur Division. Train trasit is a common mode of transportation in Guntur City and its region

India has some of the lowest train fares in the world, and passenger traffic is heavily subsidised by freight. [20] 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 is computerised to a large extent, with the exception of some remote places. 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. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks

Discounted tickets are available for senior citizens (above sixty years) and some other categories of passengers including the disabled, students, sportspersons, persons afflicted by serious diseases, or persons appearing for competitive examinations. Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the Average life span of Human beings and thus the end of the human life cycle. 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. [21] 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,[22] which is modelled on the lines of the Eurail Pass, permitting unlimited travel in India for a specific time period. An Indrail Pass is a special Railway pass available to foreign nationals created along the lines of the Eurail Pass for unlimited travel without reservation of a The Eurail Group GIE is a Netherlands -based company registered in Luxembourg, that sells passes and tickets for European railroads to residents of Europe and other

An Indian Railway Ticket from Chennai to Vijayawada by Howrah Mail.
An Indian Railway Ticket from Chennai to Vijayawada by Howrah Mail. Vijayawada ( (విజయవాడ also known as Bezawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the Krishna River

For long-distance travel, reservation of a berth can be done for comfortable travel up to two months prior to the date of intended travel. [21] 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 will have to wait until there are enough cancellations to enable him to move up the list and obtain a confirmed ticket. [21][22] 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. [22][21] 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 Limited,[23] and also through mobile Phones and SMS. Short Message Service ( SMS) is a Communications protocol allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices. Tickets booked through this site are categorised in to iTickets and eTickets. iTickets are those, which are booked by a passenger and then printed and delivered to the passenger for carrying during journey. eTickets are those, which the passenger can print himself at his end and carry while travelling. For booking an eTicket, one needs one of the authorised valid Photo Identity Card. Cancellation of eTickets are also done online, without the requirement for the passenger to go to any counter. Non-reserved tickets are available for purchase on the platform at any time before departure. A non-reserved ticket holder may only board the general compartment class. All suburban networks issue non-reserved tickets valid for a limited time period. For frequent commuters, a season pass (monthly or quarterly) guarantees unlimited travel between two stops.

International links

India has rail links with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially [24] It also plans to install a rail system in southern Bhutan. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Before the Partition of India there were eight rail links between what are now India and Pakistan. The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, However, currently there are only two actively maintained rail links between the two countries. The first one is at Wagah in Punjab. Wagah ( Hindi: वाघा Urdu:, Punjabi: ਵਾਘਾ is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan and lies on the Grand Trunk Punjab ( ਪੰਜਾਬ پنجاب, पंजाब پنجاب also Panjab (پنجاب meaning "Land of the Five Rivers") (c The Samjhauta Express plies on this route from Amritsar in India to Lahore in Pakistan. The Samjhauta Express ( Hindi: समझौता एक्सप्रेस Urdu: سمجھوتا اکسپريس commonly called the Friendship Express Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state ( lahor is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and is the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. [24] The second one, opened in February 2006 runs between Munabao (in Rajasthan in India) and Khokhrapar (in Sindh in Pakistan). Munabao is a town in Rajasthan in India bordering Pakistan. Transport In February 2006 the two nations reopened the railway line Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area This article is about Khokhrapar a border town in Sindh, Pakistan. Sindh ( Sindhī: سنڌ Urdu: سندھ is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhis. Other disused links are:[24][25]

After the creation of East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), many trains that used to run between Assam and Bengal had to be rerouted through the Siliguri Corridor (Chicken's Neck). Sialkot ( Urdu / Punjabi:) the capital of Sialkot District, is a city situated in the north-east of the Punjab province in East Pakistan ( Bengali: পূর্ব পাকিস্তান Purbo Pakistan, Urdu: مشرقی پاکستان Mashriqi Pakistan) was The Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck or is a narrow stretch of land which connects India 's north-eastern states to the rest of India However as of 2005 there are no passenger links between India and Bangladesh. A metre gauge link exists between Mahisasan (Mohishashon) and Shahbazpur. Another link is between Radhikapur and Birol. These last two links are used occasionally for freight. [24][25]

There are two links between India and Nepal: Raxaul Jn. Sealdah (In Bengali: শিয়ালদহ is one of the major Train stations serving Kolkata (Calcutta in India, the others WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Bangaon (বনগাঁ is a city and a Municipality in North 24 Parganas district Jessore (or Jashahor) is a district in south western Bangladesh with a population of 154000 in 1991 Gede (also known as Gedi) is a village on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, lying south of Malindi and north of Watamu. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Haldibari (হলদিবাড়ি is a city and a Municipality in Koch Bihar district Siliguri (শিলিগুড়ি ''Shiliguṛi'') is a rapidly developing metropolis in the Indian state of West Bengal. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Katihar is a city and a Municipality in Katihar district in the Indian state , Bihar–Sirsiya, Parsa and Jaynagar, Bihar–Khajuri, Dhanusa. [25] The former is broad gauge, while the latter is narrow gauge. A move to link the Indian and Sri Lankan railways never materialised. A ferry service however connects the closest railheads between Indian and Sri Lanka.

Private railways

Though the Indian Railways enjoys a near monopoly in India, a few private railways do exist, left over from the days of the Raj, usually small sections on private estates, etc. Indian Railways (भारतीय रेल Bhāratīya Rail) abbreviated as IR (hi भारे is a Department of the Government of India under the Ministry There are also some railway lines owned and operated by companies for their own purposes, by plantations, sugar mills, collieries, mines, dams, harbours and ports, etc. The Bombay Port Trust runs a BG railway of its own, as does the Madras Port Trust. [26] The Calcutta Port Commission Railway is a BG railway. The Vishakhapatnam Port Trust has BG and NG (2 ft 6 in) railways.

The Bhilai Steel Plant has a BG railway network. Bhilai Steel Plant, located in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, is India 's only producer of Steel rails and is a major producer of steel plates and structural [26] The Tatas (a private concern) operate funicular railways at Bhira and at Bhivpuri Road (as well as the Kamshet–Shirawta Dam railway line which is not a public line). The Tata Group ( Hindi: टाटा समूह is a multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai, India. These are not common carriers, so the general public cannot travel using these. The Pipavav Rail Corporation holds a 33-year concession for building and operating a railway line from Pipavav to Surendranagar. [26] The Kutch Railway Company, a joint venture of the Gujarat state government and private parties, is involved (along with the Kandla Port Trust and the Gujarat Adani Port) to build a Gandhidham–Palanpur railway line. [26] These railway lines are principally used to carry freight and not for passenger traffic.

Although generally IR has decided the freight tariffs on these lines, recently (February 2005) there have been proposals to allow the operating companies freedom to set freight tariffs and generally run the lines without reference to IR.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Salient Features of Indian Railways. This is a list of India 's fastest long-distance trains by commercial speed (i Indian Railways (भारतीय रेल Bhāratīya Rail) abbreviated as IR (hi भारे is a Department of the Government of India under the Ministry Indian locomotive fleet consists electric and Diesel engines Steam engines are no longer used except for heritage trains Engines are also called 1981 June 6, 1981 &ndash Bihar train disaster, India: Hundreds are killed (300-800 when a train falls "Railroad" and "Railway" both redirect here For other uses see Railroad (disambiguation. A signal is a mechanical or electrical device erected beside a Railway line to pass information relating to the state of the line ahead to train drivers/engineers. Railway signalling is a system used to control Railway traffic safely essentially to prevent Trains from colliding. A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a track ( Permanent way) to transport freight or passengers from one place to another Indian Railways. Retrieved on 2007-05-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre.
  2. ^ Indian Railways in Postal Stamps. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-05-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre.
  3. ^ a b c India Yearbook 2007. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting,Govt. Of India, p 817. ISBN 81-230-1423-6.  
  4. ^ Toy Trains Of India. Our Trips - Royal Train Tours. India Calling Tours (P) Limited. Retrieved on 2007-05-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre.
  5. ^ a b c d Locomotives — General Information – I. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China.
  6. ^ a b Diesel and Electric Locomotive Specifications. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China.
  7. ^ Paranjape, Shirish (December 2000). The Nomenclature System of Locomotives on IR. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China.
  8. ^ Palace On Wheels History. aboutpalaceonwheels. com. Retrieved on 2007-05-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre.
  9. ^ General Information. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification. Ministry of Railways, Government of India. Retrieved on 2007-06-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians
  10. ^ a b c Electric Traction - I. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-19. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1179 - The Norwegian Battle of Kalvskinnet outside Nidaros.
  11. ^ a b c Signalling System. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China.
  12. ^ India Yearbook 2007. Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, p. 819. ISBN 8123014236.  
  13. ^ Wadhwa, Gopal Krishan (September 2003). "An Overview of the R&D Center of Indian Railways" (PDF). Japan Railway & Transport Review 36 (September): pp. 26–28.  
  14. ^ a b General Information on travelling by IR. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  15. ^ Class of Travel. indiarail. co. uk. S. D. Enterprises Ltd. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  16. ^ a b c d The system of train numbers. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  17. ^ Train names. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  18. ^ Sekhsaria, Pankaj. "What's in a Train Name?", The Hindu Business Line, June 24 2005. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Retrieved on 2007-06-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China.  
  19. ^ railway operations - I. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes.
  20. ^ Joshi, V; I. M. D. Little (1996-10-17). "Industrial Policy and Factor Markets", India's Economic Reforms, 1991-2001. USA: Oxford University Press, p. 184. ISBN 0198290780. Retrieved on 2007-06-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians  
  21. ^ a b c d Reservation Rules. Indian Railways. Retrieved on 2007-06-25. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians
  22. ^ a b c General Information on travelling by IR. Travelling by Train in India, IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-11. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes.
  23. ^ Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited. www. irctc. co. in. Retrieved on 2007-06-03. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering
  24. ^ a b c d Geography : International. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish
  25. ^ a b c d Railways other than IR in India. IRFCA. org. Indian Railways Fan Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 618 - Coronation of the Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries

References

External links

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