Different Colour Schemes of Train Coaches: All That You Need to Know
Special types of symbols are used to explain different things in the Indian Railways like track symbols, platform symbols, etc. These railways symbols are required so that people are aware of the signals, rules and regulations of the train. A special type of symbol is used in train coaches to take all this into account.
What do the different coloured stripes on coaches signify?
Indian Railways always seek to make their passenger’s journey convenient. You must have seen different-coloured stripes on the coaches of trains. Have you also wondered what these stripes signify? What is the meaning of yellow or red stripes on train coaches? If yes, you are going to get the answer now.
Diagonal yellow stripes on coaches
It is drawn at the end of the car in the ICF coach. This means it is a general unreserved compartment. When the train enters the station, many people are confused about the location of the general bogie, but people can easily understand that it’s the general coach by looking at these stripes.
Sometimes, there are white stripes or pale blue stripes on coaches to denote that that is an unreserved general class coach.
You can easily tell the difference by just looking at the stripes that on the left coach, there is a sleeper coach and on the right, there is a general coach.
Green stripes on EMU/DEMU trains
There is a green stripe in EMU or MEMU trains. It means that it is a Ladies compartment.
These colour patterns are included only for the new Auto Door Closing EMU in Mumbai, Western Railway.
Red stripes on EMU/DEMU trains
There is a red stripe on EMU/ MEMU where there is a first-class compartment in local trains.
Different Types of Coaches in Indian Railways
ICF Coaches
This is the ICF coaches’ standard colour code in Sleeper Class, AC First Class, AC 3 Tier Sleeper, AC 2 Tier Sleeper, AC Chair Car, Non-Class Chair Car and ICF Style second class coaches.
LHB Express/Superfast
This is a standard LHB coach for Mail/Express/Superfast trains of Indian Railways. Indian Railways is replacing the old coaches with new strong LHB coaches in different trains. LHB coaches with the aluminium body are lighter in weight and safer for operations. When compared to the old coaches, these coaches are longer and can accommodate more passengers.
LHB Rajdhani
The LHB sleeper coaches, whether they’re non-AC Sleeper or AC, are by default red in colour. Earlier used in Rajdhani Express trains only, these coaches are now used in other express trains as well.
LHB Shatabdi
This is the standard coach colour of LHB Shatabdi and some other trains with chair cars. Any LHB chair car, whether they are AC Chair Car, Executive Chair or Non-AC Chair Car, uses this colour. These coaches are used in Shatabdi and other intercity trains as well. The first LHB type introduced to India by the Indian Railways is Lucknow Shatabdi followed by the Bhopal Shatabdi.
LHB Double Decker
The Double Decker train coaches in India have a combination of yellow and red. They are unique, and no other train uses this colour combination.
LHB Duronto
These multicoloured coaches are the same LHB coaches used in Rajdhani Express trains over which vinyl wrap of Duronto livery is pasted.
LHB Humsafar Express
Similar to Duronto express trains, these coaches are also the same LHB coaches used in Rajdhani Express trains over which vinyl wrap of Humsafar livery is pasted. Only a few modifications like Curtains, CCTV, Tea/Coffee vending machines are there with special linen, unlike other trains. It is a full AC 3 Tier train only.
LHB Gatimaan
Its livery is very similar to that of the AC Chair Car but with Yellow Stripes at the bottom. These stripes show that the coaches are meant for speed greater than 155 km/hr.
LHB Tejas Express
Tejas Express LHB Chair Car coaches are similar to the LHB Chair Car coaches, but unlike the others, the doors are automated and are equipped with modular facilities like CCTV etc.
LHB Antyodaya Express
The Antyodaya Express trains of Indian Railways which use modern LHB coaches are fully unreserved. Each compartment has modern facilities and amenities. These coaches are none other than LHB Second Class Unreserved Coaches of Rajdhani liveried on which the Antyodaya livery vinyl wrap is glued.
New Colour Scheme for Indian Railways Coaches
Indian Railways is looking to implement a new mail/express colour scheme! For those travellers who are annoyed by the blue painting scheme on Indian Railways Mail/Express trains, you have good news.
In the sleeper coaches of mail/express trains, Northern Railways has tested 7 different colour schemes. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani then inspected coaches of various vibrant colours. Indian Railways has decided to initially work on a combination of teak and fawn shades with additional changes. Further changes are made on the basis of feedback from different people.
Indian Railways introduced a number of brand new colour schemes – blue and orange colours for Humsafar Express, or yellow or orange shades for Tejas Express, etc. The new trains also feature anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping to prevent scratching and to keep trains clean.