Railway Coaches Types
Railway Coaches Types
Overview
Indian Railways classifies its passenger coaches (also called “rolling stock”) into 18 distinct “Coach Types” whose first-letter codes decide the ticket fare, priority of marshalling in a train, maximum permissible speed and the type of accommodation provided. Every coach carries a 5-digit “ICF / LHB” classification number painted on its ends and a 21-digit RFID tag for asset tracking. Since 2018, only LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) stainless-steel coaches are produced; the older ICF (Integral Coach Factory) design is being steadily withdrawn.
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total authorised coach holding (2024) | ≈ 74,000 coaches |
| Production units | ICF-Chennai, RCF-Kapurthala, BEML-Bengaluru, Rail Coach Navegant-Raebareli |
| LHB design speed | 160 km/h (certified for 200 km/h) |
| ICF design speed | 110 km/h |
| Standard LHB coach length | 23.54 m |
| Standard LHB coach tare weight | 39–44 t (AC) / 35–38 t (non-AC) |
| Coupler used in LHB | Centre-buffer-coupler (AAR H-type) |
| Brake system on LHB | Dual-block disc brake + electro-pneumatic |
| Coach coding letter “E” | Stands for “Extra fare” (Chair car) |
| Coach coding letter “S” | Second class (non-AC) ordinary |
| Highest priority code | “H” – High capacity (Vistadome) |
| Lowest priority code | “D” – Driving trailer |
| Rajdhani rakes have | Only AC coaches (A1, A2…, B1, B2…, H1) |
| Garib Rath rakes have | Only AC 3-tier Economy (M) coaches |
| Antyodaya rakes have | Only UR (second class) unreserved coaches |
| Vande Bharat trains have | Only “C” (Chair car) & “E” (Executive) self-propelled units—technically coaches |
| Deen Dayalu coaches are upgraded | UR coaches with bio-toilets & cushioned seats |
| First all-women crewed LHB coach | Flagged off in 2021 (WR) |
Important Points
- Code letter is painted in 300 mm high Helvetica font on both sides of every coach.
- First two digits of 5-digit coach number indicate year of manufacture; last three are serial.
- “B” = AC 3-tier, “A” = AC 2-tier, “H” = AC 1st class, “M” = AC 3-tier Economy.
- “S” coaches have 72 seats (ICF) or 78 seats (LHB); “J” = Jan-Shatabdi non–AC chair car.
- “EOG” (End-on-Generation) power car is technically a coach but is not passenger-carrying.
- LHB coaches are anti-telescopic, thus mandatory for trains running ≥130 km/h.
- Colour band on coach ends: Blue = ICF, Silver = LHB.
- Pantry car is coded “PC”; its maximum speed is restricted to 130 km/h.
- Vistadome coaches (code “V”) have 180° rotatable cushioned seats & 40 % extra fare.
- Every coach has an “RDSO class-index” plate showing axle load, brake type & gauge.
- Bio-toilets (40 L retention tank) are now 100 % fitted in both ICF & LHB designs.
- LED lighting & fire-smoke detection systems are standard fitment in LHB since 2016.
- “Self-generating” coaches have 4.5 kW underslung alternators; “End-on” coaches draw 750 V from power car.
Frequently Asked in Exams
- Difference between ICF & LHB coaches (speed, material, coupler, safety).
- Full-form and salient features of “Deen Dayalu” & “Vistadome” coaches.
- Coach numbering system – how to read 5-digit & 21-digit UID.
- Which trains use only AC coaches and which use only non-AC.
- Production centres of LHB coaches and their annual installed capacity.
Practice MCQs
Question:01 Which letter code is used for AC 3-tier Economy class coach in Indian Railways?
A) E
B) M
C) B
D) G
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Indian Railways uses the letter code “M” to designate AC 3-tier Economy class coaches.
Question:02 The maximum permissible speed of an LHB coach in service is
A) 130 km/h
B) 140 km/h
C) 150 km/h
D) 160 km/h
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: As per Indian Railways’ 2026 coaching stock rules, Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches are cleared to run up to 160 km/h in regular service, subject to track and signalling conditions.
Question:03 Deen Dayalu coaches are an upgraded version of which type of coaches?
A) AC 3-tier coaches
B) Second class (UR) unreserved coaches
C) AC Chair Car coaches
D) Sleeper class coaches
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Deen Dayalu coaches are the upgraded version of Second class (UR) unreserved coaches, offering improved amenities for unreserved passengers.
Question:04 Which of the following is NOT an LHB production unit?
A) ICF, Chennai
B) RCF, Kapurthala
C) BEML, Bangalore
D) CLW, Chittaranjan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: CLW (Chittaranjan Locomotive Works) manufactures electric locomotives, not LHB coaches, hence it is NOT an LHB production unit.
Question:05 What does the railway code “PC” stand for?
A) Passenger Coach
B) Parcel Car
C) Pantry Car
D) Power Car
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: In Indian Railways, the code “PC” denotes Pantry Car, the coach equipped to prepare and serve meals to passengers on board.
Question:06 Which colour band is painted on the ends of an ICF coach?
A) Red
B) Yellow
C) Blue
D) White
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Indian Railways paints a distinctive blue band on both ends of every ICF coach to indicate its ICF (Integral Coach Factory) design origin.
Question:07 The first digit-pair in a 5-digit coach number indicates
A) Coach type code
B) Year of manufacture
C) Railway zone code
D) Serial production number
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In Indian Railways, the initial two digits of a 5-digit coach number denote the year the coach was built.
Question:08 Which coach type features 180° rotatable seats and carries a 40 % fare premium?
A) AC First (1A)
B) Vistadome (V)
C) Executive Chair Car (EC)
D) Anubhuti (EA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Vistadome (V) coaches are equipped with 180° rotatable aircraft-style seats and panoramic windows; Indian Railways levies an extra 40 % fare over the base Mail/Express fare for this tourist-oriented experience.
Question:09 Vande Bharat Train-sets do NOT contain which type of coach?
A) AC Chair Car
B) Executive Chair Car
C) Sleeper
D) Second Sitting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Vande Bharat Train-sets are designed for day inter-city services and are equipped only with chair-car accommodation; they do not include sleeper coaches.
Question:10 In which year did Indian Railways decide to completely halt the production of ICF coaches?
A) 2015
B) 2016
C) 2018
D) 2020
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Indian Railways announced in 2018 that it would cease manufacturing ICF coaches and switch entirely to the safer, lighter LHB design.
BETA
