Indian Railways Coach Classes
Well, a variety of classes of accommodation can be expected on the Indian Railway Accommodation. On any particular train, few or all of the classes can be found, though very few Indian Trains possess coaches of all classes. Overall, there are 8 classes in Indian Railways accommodation.
Super Deluxe Indian trains like Jan Shatbadi, Rajdhani, deccan Queen, Gwalior- Taj Express, Hazrat Nizamuddin, etc have reserved railway accommodation, while few others do have provision for unreserved travelling.
The different classes in Indian Railways are as follows:
AC First Class: The most expensive railway accommodation, AC first Class is mostly preferred by affluent class of Indian people. These plush classes in Indian Railways offer well carpeted, spacious and lockable compartments along with a washbasin. Toilets are available are available at both the ends of the coach. Clean sheets, towels, blankets and pillows are provided.
AC 2 Tier: This is another luxurious Railway accommodation and is a little cheaper than AC first Class. Coaches are fully Ac with sleeping berths and tidy curtains. Here, berths are arranged I bays of 4 (2 upper & 2 low) on one side of the aisle, and 2 above and below the window on the other side of aisle. Toilets are available on either side of the carriage. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided.
AC 3 Tier: This is almost similar to AC 2 Tier. The only difference if that here there are 3 tiers of bunks, namely lower, middle and upper arranged in cubicles of 6 on side of the aisle and 2 (lower & upper) along the side of aisle. Again, it’s a little cheaper than AC 2 Tier. Here too, attendant distributes pillows, sheets and blankets to passengers.
First class: This is non AC coach but has lockable four berth and two berth compartments. It does not have bedding facility, however, passengers can avail it for a small extra charge while doing advance bookings. Well, this is one classes in Indian Railways that’s disappeared now almost in most of the trains.
AC Chair Car: Well, this railway accommodation can only be found in important trains like ‘Shatabdi Express’ or on other super fast trains.
Sleeper Class: This is the class by which most of the Indian population travels their long distance journeys. Sleeper class includes open plain berths with lower, middle and upper bunks arranged in the cubicles of 6 on one side of aisle and 2 (lower & upper) on the other side of the aisle. Well this railway accommodation doesn’t offer bedding. In summers, there’s fan on the ceilings and windows to offer breeze. In winters, people carry their own blankets to save oneself from cold. This class is often used by the adventurous freaks who are always ready to test their rough side.
Second Sitting 2S: In different classes in Indian Railways, this one is the cheapest. Te coaches are really ordinary with seating arrangements in 2 rows of three seats each.
This is how railway accommodation is classified in Indian trains.