Railways Transport System in India

History + Types of Railways in India ( including Luxury Trains)

1. RAILWAYS TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN INDIA SUBMITTED BY: Priyanka Mangla BBA (2016-19) IITTM, Noida SUBMITTED TO: Dr. Pawan Gupta

2. RAILWAYS TRANSPORT SYSTEM line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

3. RAILWAYS TRANSPORT SYSTEM Indian Railways, the fourth largest railway network in the world, has over 70,000 passenger coaches and more than 11,000 locomotives. It is managed by the Ministry of Railways and is headed by a cabinet minister who presents the rail budget every year in the parliament. It runs long-distance and suburban rail systems and as of September 2016, India has around 324 km of operational urban rail transit lines. The Indian Railways was founded on May 8, 1945 and within 172 years, has spread its wing to become one of the busiest yet low-cost travel modes for the passengers. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Mountain Railways of India are among the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

4. _ HISTORY _ Indian Railways The first commercial train journey in India between Bombay and Thane on 16 April 1853 in a 14 carriage long train drawn by 3 locomotives named Sultan, Sindh and Sahib. It was around 21 miles in length and took approximately 45 minutes . The first India’s locomotive electric train ran between Bombay (Victoria Terminus) and Kurla , a distance of 16 kms , on February 3, 1925 along the city’s harbour route.

5. Following independence in 1947, India inherited a decrepit rail network. About 40 per cent of the railway lines were in the newly created Pakistan. Many lines had to be rerouted through Indian territory and new lines had to be constructed to connect important cities such as Jammu. A total of 42 separate railway systems, including 32 lines owned by the former Indian princely states existed at the time of independence spanning a total of 55,000 km.

6. TOY TRAINS The word called ‘toy train’ brings back childhood memories of joy rides. These generally used to operate through amusement parks and fairs or exhibitions. However in India, these toy trains travel through the Indian Rail Lines through historical sites. To name a couple of them these include hill stations like Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Highway .

7. BULLET TRAINS Like the name suggests they are super fast trains that operate in parts of India. They offer spearhead services in major commercial cities in India like Mumbai – Ahmadabad & Bangalore – Mysore. This is to add the connectivity between cities and various parts of India.

8. PASSENGER TRAINS Passenger trains are to transport people who travel from one city to another by rail. There are various types of passenger trains available. These include local trains, express trains, inter- city trains, inter –state trains, etc . There are 9 types of passenger trains, namely Gatiman Express, Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express , Duranto Express, Garibrath Express, AC Express, Superfast (includes all the special category trains like Mahamana Express), Mail/Express, Passengers/MEMU/DEMU. 

9. LOCAL TRAINS There are many local districts within the states of India. So in order to connect the travel between these districts there are local trains. Tickets can be purchased minutes before the train’s arrival at the train stations. People use these local rail services even to travel from one city to another within a city or district on a daily basis.

10. EXPRESS TRAINS Some of them are famous names like the Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani Express, etc. They guarantee the fast paced travel and can reach the destination almost half time of the ordinary trains. They do this by avoiding a few stops and leaving people at major destinations. There are intercity and interstate trains too.

11. Jan Shatabdi The Jan Shatabdi are express trains with more affordable variety with both AC and non-AC accommodation along with only Chair Car. Jan Shatabdi express trains run on broad gauge, list of Jan Shatabdi Express trains are Amritsar Haridwar Jan Shatabdi Express, Una Jan Shatabdi Express, Dehradun Jan Shatabdi Express and Raigarh Gondia Jan Shatabdi Express.

12. Jan Sadharan Jansadharan trains are recently proposed number of trains in the budget, these Jansadharan trains will be for common man across the county. The railway administration has decided to run various Jansadharan special trains in view of summer rush, such as Chhapra -Mumbai Jansadharan Express and Anand ViharT -Patna RajendraNagar JanSadharan Express.

13. Rajya Rani Rajya Rani trains are a series of express trains connect state capitals with other cities important for tourism, pilgrimage or business. List of Rajya Rani Express includes Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Rajya Rani Express ,Mysore-Bangalore Rajya Rani Express and Nilambur – Trivandrum Rajya Rani Express.

14. Vivek Express The Vivek Express are four pairs of Express Trains on the Indian Railways network, one from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari ; is the longest route on the Indian Railways network. Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari Vivek Express is the 9th longest in the world. Other are Okha to Thoothukudi Vivek Express, Santragachhi to Mangalore Central Vivek Express and Bandra Terminus Jammu Tawi Vivek Express.

15. SEMI HIGH SPEED TRAIN The semi-high speed train is named Gatimaan Express and that proposes to reduce travelling time between Delhi and Agra to 105 minutes. India’s first semi-high speed train on Delhi-Agra route to run at a speed of 160km/ph.

16. LUXURY TRAINS These are sophisticated train travel meant for expensive holiday tours. They have a special travel circuit and touch on heritage spots and interesting tourist destinations. Some of them include the Maharajas Express, Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, etc. They provide the best ambience that resembles the kings of olden times. Even the interiors are sculpted alike palaces.

17. THE DURONTO EXPRESS This express train is one of the fastest trains in the country. They can be compared to the Rajdhani Express & the Shatabdi Express in terms of speed. The specialty of this train is that it only connects the major capital cities in the country. Moreover these are long – distances trains and make a non-stop super fast journey to connect major metros.

18. SUPER FAST TRAINS This new age type of express trains will make you feel like you are flying away. They zoom past at distances of around 70 km to 90- km per hour. Up and down journeys that exceed these speed limits or equal these speed limits fall under the Super Fast Train category.

19. GARIB RATH These trains are with reduced fares to cater top services within very less amount. The best part about this train is that it is not only A/C with lesser fares but is a super fast train. It beats speeds of the express trains for travel in India and also the super fast trains too. All these services are within a lesser fare.

20. GOODS CARRIER TRAINS Like the name suggests they are used to transport large amount of goods including coal, fish, vegetables, etc. In olden times they were used by people who were migrating from one state to another to transport their household furniture, vehicles, etc. They are usually for long –distance trains like inter – state travel.

21. METRO RAIL These metro trains have become an increasing mode of travel in the busiest areas or developing cities. The first of its type was the Delhi Metro Rail and Kolkata Metro rails. Soon other states and cities are following the same to decrease traffic and increase various travel.

22. TRAMS Trams are shorter versions of trains. They originated in the city of Kolkata which was back then known as Calcutta. These electric operating trams are more like trolleys, streetcars, etc. They have their tramways across and along with the roadways.

23. MONORAIL This is one of the latest types of transport in the most developed regions in India. Monorail is the big project to expand the public transport where there are more working people and crowded population. As of now there is Mumbai Monorail and Pune Monorails in India.

24. SUBURBAN RAILWAYS In order to cover fast travel from one city to other cities and suburbs, the Indian Railways have developed the major suburban railways. Some of the examples are Kolkata Suburban Railways, Chennai Suburban Railways and the Mumbai Suburban Railways.

25. TOURIST TRAINS IN INDIA

26. TOURIST TRAINS IN INDIA

27. MAHARAJAS' EXPRESS The tour circuit on this vast Indian landscape is made convenient by the Maharajas' Express - the latest Luxury Train and provides Luxury on wheels.  It offers five luxury train circuits on wheels to let one choose the best way to discover and explore the treasure trove and amazing Indian kaleidoscope. The unmatched ambience, contemporary amenities, impeccable service and luxurious decor provide a Royal Tours on board this Palace on wheels. Maharajas' Express by providing an Experience Unsurpassed, with its mélange of providing immaculate on-board services and well designed Luxury Tour Circuits had made.

28. Tour Circuits by Maharaja Express

29. BHARAT DARSHAN Bharat Darshan Special Tourist Train, one of the most affordable all inclusive tour package, covering all the important tourist places in the country. The Bharat Darshan tour packages costs Rs. 800/- Per Person Per day, which is inclusive of providing comfort of travel by train in IInd Class sleeper coaches, besides it, the cost is inclusive of following: Hall accommodation at places of night stay / morning freshening up. Quality vegetarian meals. Tourist buses for visiting sightseeing spots. Guides / Tour escorts for announcements and information. Security arrangement for each coach. A Railway Staff on train as Train Superintendent. Currently Bharat Darshan tours commence from South and West zone only.

30. BUDDHIST CIRCUIT TOURIST TRAIN The Buddhist Circuit Special Train is an exclusive air conditioned train for Buddhist circuit destinations and does not carry passenger other than the tourist booked with IRCTC for this special tour. The passengers can choose from an assortment of sumptuous hot meals ( Veg / Non Veg ), snacks and cold drinks. Packaged drinking water, tea and coffee are also available to the passengers in ample quantity. Tourists are requested to obtain a proper Visa for visiting Lumbini (Nepal) before arriving in India. However, IRCTC provides assistance in obtaining Visa at the time of entry in Nepal as per extant rules.

31. TIGER EXPRESS WITH CITY OF LAKES UDAIPUR Indian Railways In Collaboration With IRCTC Launches Tiger Express with City of Lakes Udaipur. IRCTC proudly announce the departures of new itinerary by Rajdhani type train with dining car facility and AC road transportation. This fascinating odyssey will cover Udaipur, Chittorgarh and Ranthambore on its Tiger Safari with City of Lakes Circuit in 04 nights & 05 days. All train journeys are scheduled to operate on Saturday from Oct'17 to Mar'18 .

32. DESERT CIRCUIT SEMI LUXURY TOURIST TRAIN Indian Railways In Collaboration With IRCTC Launches Desert Circuit Semi Luxury Tourist Train. IRCTC proudly announce the departures of new itinerary on Desert Circuit by Rajdhani type train and AC road transportation. This fascinating odyssey will cover Jaisalmer , Jodhpur & Jaipur on its Desert Circuit in 04 nights & 05 days. All train journeys are scheduled to operate on Saturday from Oct'17 to Mar'18

33. Golden Chariot The Golden Chariot, south India's first and only luxury train is the prolific outcome of the MOU signed between Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Ministry of Indian Railways in 2002. The Golden Chariot Train operates on two different circuits of South India : Pride Of South covering Goa Southern Splendour covering Kerala Backwaters The on board facilities : Passenger Saloons Restaurant Coaches  Lounge Bar Coach Spa & Gym Facility Golden Chariot ensures lavish stay in 44 cabins.

34. Pride of South Golden Chariot This circuit starts from Bangalore and ends at Goa. The Cost of this circuit : Single Occupancy: Foreign Nationals- Rs 3,53,920/- Indian National - Rs 1,82,000 /- Double Occupancy: Foreign Nationals- Rs 5,28,640/- Indian National - Rs 3,08,000 /- The Schedule for this train in 2018 will start on 5 th March .

35. Southern Splendour Golden Chariot This circuit starts from Bangalore and ends at Kochi. The Cost of this circuit : Single Occupancy: Nationals- Rs 3,92,000/- Indian National - Rs 2,17,000/- Double Occupancy: Foreign Nationals- Rs 5,95,840/- Indian National - Rs 3,50,000 /-

36. Deccan Odyssey Deccan Odyssey comprises of 21 luxuriously appointed coaches. Out of these 21 coaches, 11 are to accommodate guests and the rest are used for different purposes such as dining, lounge etc. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) got a green signal from the Railway Board to start the work on Deccan Odyssey in the year 2002 . The dawn of 16th January, 2004 brought a new turn to the Maharashtra tourism industry with the inaugural ceremony of the regal journey of Deccan Odyssey Indian from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Mumbai . The world famous Taj Group of Hotels had also joined their hands with Deccan Odyssey to offer a 5 star hotel facility onboard to the guests. Approximate Tariff: Starting at INR 4.27 Lakh

37. A. Maharashtra Splendor Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Nashik - Ellora Cave - Ajanta Caves - Kolhapur - Goa - Sindhudurg – Mumbai B. Susegado Goa Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai – Goa – Mumbai C. Indian Odyssey Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: New Delhi - Sawai Madhopur - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Vadodara - Ellora Caves - Mumbai D. Jewels of the Deccan Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Bijapur - Aihole - Pattadakal - Hampi – Hyderabad- Ellora Caves - Ajanta Caves - Mumbai E. Maharashtra Wild Trail Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Ellora Caves - Aurangabad - Pench ( Ramtek ) - Tadoba - Ajanta - Nashik - Mumbai F. Hidden Treasures of Gujarat Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Vadodara - Palitana - Sasan Gir & Somnath - Little Rann of Kutch - Modhera & Patan - Nashik - Mumbai G. Indian Sojourn Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Vadodara - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Agra - Sawai Madhopur - Jaipur - Delhi Circuits Of Deccan Odyssey

38. PALACE ON WHEELS The  Palace on Wheels  is a luxury tourist train . It was launched by the Indian Railways in association with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation to promote tourism in Rajasthan. The train service was refurnished and relaunched in August 2009 with a new decor, itinerary and cuisine. It was voted the 4th luxurious train in the world in 2010 . There are 23 coaches in the train. 104 tourists can travel in train . The Palace on Wheels train only operates from September to April annually & there is no train services between summer months of May till August.

39. Palace on Wheels 7 Nights/8 Days Tour Approximate Tariff: Starting at INR 3.63 Lakh This train starts from New Delhi- Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur- New Delhi

40. THE ROYAL ORIENT The Royal Orient is an Indian luxury tourism train that runs between Gujarat and  Rajasthan The train started as a joint venture between the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the Indian Railways in 1994-95 . This popular luxury train offers eight days and seven nights' journey for a memorable experience. The royal expedition takes passengers through Delhi, Chittorgarh , Udaipur, Junagarh , Somnath , Sasan Gir National Park, Ahmedpur , Mandvi , Ahmedabad and Jaipur . The Royal Orient Train operates between September to April from Delhi Cantonment on every Wednesday of the week.

41. Ferry Queen The Fairy Queen, is the oldest working Steam Locomotive in the world, built in 1855. It was completely over hauled in 1996 & resumed commercial operations in 1997 for 2 Days/1 Nights Tourist circuit from Delhi to Alwar with overnight stay in Sariska Tiger Reserve, as Fairy Queen train tour In 1998. It was Certified as the world's oldest working locomotive by the Guinness Book of World Records.

42. The Steam Express has a 60-seater air-conditioned chair car specially designed with a large glass. As an added attraction, the coach has a beautiful lounge in the front, which provides a scenic view of the countryside. In Sariska you stay in RTDC Tourist Bungalow/similar. The Steam Express Train Tour is jointly operated by Indian Railways & IRCTC and arrangements in Alwar & Sariska are managed by RTDC.