17 Different Types of Trains Operated by Indian Railways
You have a lot of experience traveling by train. However, the world’s largest railway network is the most popular mode of transport in India. It operates different types of trains. Some people enjoy first-class trains, while most travel by high-speed trains. Indian railways are designed according to the capacity of each type of train.
The world’s largest railway network covers about 68,000 km of routes, operates about 14,000 passenger trains and carries 24 million passengers every day. The average train speed in India varies between 36 km/h and 112 km/h. To know more about Indian Railways, see its different types of trains.
Indian Railways operates 17 different types of trains
1) Rajdhani Express
Rajdhani Express is a passenger train service of the Indian Railways that connects the capital of India with the capitals of various states of the country. On its maiden journey, the Kolkata-New Delhi Rajdhani Express departed from Howrah on 3 March 1969. It is a high-class train of the Indian Railways with all coaches fully air-conditioned ie. first AC, second AC and third. AC.
Rajdhani Express travels at a maximum speed of 130-140 km/h. Trivandrum- Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express is India’s longest non-stop train covering 528 km. This train has 24 pairs of Rajdhani Express trains running in the country. They connect New Delhi to other state capitals in India. These trains have fewer stops and only stop at major stations along the route.
2) Shatabdi Express
Shatabdi Express trains are a series of express trains connecting major, central and commercial cities of India. Shatabdi Express operates during the daytime and completes the journey from origin to destination in a day. It only offers seats to passengers who can book their tickets only in AC seat cars. There are 25 pairs of Shatabdi Express trains that connect metro cities with other major cities in India.
3) Gatimaan Express
Gatimaan Express is the first semi-fast train in India. Its maximum speed is 160 kilometers per hour. This train runs between Delhi and Jhansi. The WAP5 electric locomotive engine powers the Gatimaan Express. The train has LHB coaches to ensure that no life or property is lost in the event of an accident. Like airlines, the train has AC passenger coaches, executive class tickets and luxury coaches. The main objective of the government in running this train is to promote tourism in India. This train runs throughout the week except Friday because the Taj Mahal remains closed on that day.
4) Vande Bharat Express
Indian Railways first domestic train, Vande Bharat Express. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this train on 15 February 2019. Two days later (17 February 2019), it started commercial service from New Delhi to Varanasi. Vande Bharat Express between New Delhi and Varanasi covers the journey in about eight hours. This train runs all week except Mondays and Thursdays. The country’s second Vande Bharat Express completes the journey between New Delhi and Katra in 8 hours. This train travels at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour. It is also known as Train18.
5) Duronto Express
Duronto Express trains run between metro cities in India and major state capitals. The special feature of these trains is that, apart from technical breaks, they run from the source to the destination without stopping. Duronto Express runs under the non-stop trains of Indian Railways and is known as the fastest and most punctual train on the Grand Chord route between metro cities. New Delhi Duronto Express is a Superfast Express train that runs between Sealdah and New Delhi.
6) Tejas Express
Tejas Express, the country’s first corporate train, has air passengers for passengers. Tejas Express is a semi-fast train of Indian Railways with modern amenities. Its maximum speed is 160 km/h. The Tejas Express has excellent passenger features such as a personal LCD entertainment and information display with headphones, built-in Wi-Fi, modular bio-toilets and comfortable seats. This train has automatic entry and exit doors similar to the metro network. These doors provide security and prevent people from boarding and disembarking before the train is on the platform.
7) Maharaja Express
The Maharaja Express train leaves from Agra and takes passengers to Ajanta. It is a premium tourist train of Indian Railways and many foreign tourists also prefer to travel in this train. Maharaja Express offers passengers all kinds of luxurious amenities. Maharaja Express coaches offer deluxe cabins, junior suites, suites, and presidential suite. Deluxe cabins offer royal amenities to passengers. This train has a total of 23 carriages. This train can comfortably transport 88 passengers. The minimum daily fare for this train is Rs 36,000 and the maximum fare is Rs 112,500.
8) Humsafar Express
Humsafar Express is a fully air-conditioned AC tri-level train with 16 coaches. In addition to the two carts of the package generator car, there is also one supply car. So there are 21 carriages in the train. It is considered the first class train of Indian railways. In Humsafar Express, passengers get facilities not found in any other train in India. GPS is available in all carriages of this train. Passengers are constantly informed about the real location of the train in the bus.
9) Samjhauta Express
Samjhauta Express Train runs between India and Pakistan. The train runs from Delhi to Attar (Shyam Singh Railway Station) in Punjab. From Attar, a Pakistan Railway engine leads to Lahore through the Wagah border. At that time, it will be monitored by border guards. This train from India departs twice a week from Old Delhi railway station on Wednesdays and Sundays at 23:10. This train also built a separate platform at Old Delhi station.
Passengers go through a security check before boarding the train. Samjhauta Express has six Sleeper Coax and one Air-conditioned Third class (third AC) coach. After leaving Delhi, this train does not stop till Attar. It is said to be better than Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express and other major trains of Indian Railways.
10) Mountain railway
Mountain railways are train connections that provide services in the mountainous regions of India. Indian Railways currently has seven mountain train lines across the country. Three of the seven wave paths belong to the UNESCO World Heritage. These are:
(I) Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a World Heritage Site. Shahrukh Khan’s song “Chal Chaiyan-Chaiyan” was shot on this toy train. Although it is the slowest train in the country, it can only travel at a speed of 16 km/h. The Nilgiri Mountain Train journey from Mettupalayam to Ooty is exciting. During the journey, it passes through approximately ten stations.
(II) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (toy train) runs between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in December 1999. The distance of this train is about 78 kilometers. The views outside the train are incredible on this journey. A visit to Darjeeling is considered incomplete without traveling by this train.
(III) Kalka-Shimla Heritage Track
The historic toy train on the Kalka-Shimla Heritage line is an easy way to reach Shimla. The route of this toy train was designed by himself in 1903. Nowadays, it is the main center of attraction for tourists visiting Shimla. The train is 96 km long and passes through 20 stations. This train takes 5 hours to cover the entire distance. It starts from Kalka near Chandigarh and goes to Shimla. On the way, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery in the train.
11) Suvidha Express
In Suvidha Express operations, passengers are accommodated at the last minute so that passengers get confirmed tickets even on peak days. It is a high-class train of Indian Railways. Only approved and RAC tickets are booked in this train. 12) Uday Express
12) Uday Express
The first double-decker train Uday Express started running between Coimbatore and Bengaluru in June 2018. The train has an air-conditioned passenger carriage. This train mainly runs in areas where the number of passengers is higher. Indian Railways’ second double-decker Uday Express runs between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada in the East Coast Railway Zone. Uday Express amenities include Wi-Fi, cushioned seats and screens. 13) Antyodaya Express
13) Antyodaya Express
In 2016, former railway minister Suresh Prabhu announced his plans to run the Antyodaya Express. Currently, 30 Antyodaya Express are flying in the country. No reservation is required to travel with Antyodaya Express. The purpose of the train is to uplift the weaker section of society.
Services: Antyodaya Express
• Drinking water filter
• vending machine for tea, coffee and milk
• There are surveillance cameras in every carriage of the train
• Bio toilets in every bus
14) Mono Rail
The monorail has a single-track. People also call it an elevated railway system. Mumbai saw the first monorail in India. In addition, Pune, the IT hub of Maharashtra, has received a proposal to build a monorail.
15) Yuva Express
Former Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee announced plans to launch Yuva Express between Dhanbad and New Delhi for unemployed youth. In this train, sixty percent of seats are reserved for the youth of the country. Currently, two Yuva Express trains are operating in India.
16) Tram train
There is a tram system in Kolkata. People also call it a tram because it runs along it. It is the only electric tram system in Asia.
17) Metro Train
Metro train has another name, the express train service. It’s like a bus. In India, Kolkata saw the first subway. Later, Delhi got the first modern metro. Nowadays, the Delhi Metro is the capital’s lifeline. Currently, 10 cities in India have metro trains. These different types of trains are the capital of the Indian Railways serving the same purpose as the Indian Railways to facilitate the travel experience of the passengers. You can board any train as per your requirement and train availability to travel in India.
Are there different types of trains?
Yes! There are different types of trains in India. The railway system classifies these types of trains on various bases such as distance, electrification, speed, etc. Some of the express trains are Vande Bharat, Shatabdi Express, Tejas Express, and Train18. Tram and Monorail are trains that are only available in one or two cities. What are the most popular trains in India?
Vivek Express, Himsagar Express, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Palace on Wheels, etc are the most popular trains in India. You can experience the fascinating beauty of India by boarding these trains.
Train travel can be enjoyed by ordering food on the train from the Travelkhana-e-catering app and website. It also allows you to order bulk food on the train to keep your gang in a happy traveling mood. Travelkhana offers a lot to satisfy your appetite during train journeys. Travelkhana’s menu is full of Aloo Tikki al Chai, a perfect meal for thali Shahi Biryani. Get any delicacy on the train and enjoy it.