Train numbering in India

In accordance with an Indian Ministry of Railways decision, Indian Railways switched from its previous four-digit numbering system for passenger trains to a five-digit system on December 20, 2010.[1][2][3]

First digit
Sign on a train window
09302 Holiday Special at the Indore-Mumbai Bandra terminus

The first digit of the train number indicates the type of train:

  • 0 (0XXXX): Special trains, such as summer, holiday and exam specials and trains to clear large passenger loads

Train Numbers starting with first two digits as 12 or 22 are super fast trains. Remaining are express trains.

Second digit

If the first digit is 0, 1 or 2, the second digit indicates the railway zone:

If the first digit is 3, the second digit indicates:

  • 0 to 7 (Eastern Railway zone):
    • 31XXX: From Sealdah towards Naihati
    • 32XXX: From Sealdah towards Dankuni
    • 33XXX: From Sealdah towards Barasat
    • 34XXX: From Sealdah towards Ballygunge Junction (Sealdah South section)
    • 35XXX From Barddhaman Junction towards Katwa Junction
    • 36XXX: From Howrah towards Dankuni
    • 37XXX: From Howrah towards Bandel Junction
  • 8 or 9 (38XXX or 39XXX, South Eastern Railway zone): May indicate destination(s) or branch line(s)

If the first digit is 4, the second digit indicates:

If the first digit is 5, 6 or 7, the second digit identifies the railway zone where the train is operated or maintained:

  • 0 (E0XXX): Konkan Railway
  • 1 (E1XXX): Some Central and West Central Railway zone trains
  • 2 (E2XXX): Some Northern, North Central, North Western, North Eastern and East Central Railway zone trains
  • 3 (E3XXX): All Eastern and some East Central Railway zone trains
  • 4 (E4XXX): Some Northern, North Central and North Western Railway zone trains
  • 5 (E5XXX): Northeast Frontier and some North Eastern Railway zone trains
  • 6 (E6XXX): Some Southern and South Western Railway zone trains
  • 7 (E7XXX): South Central and some South Western Railway zone trains
  • 8 (E8XXX): South Eastern, South East Central and East Coast Railway zone trains
  • 9 (E9XXX): Western and some West Central and North Western Railway zone trains

If the first digit is 8, the second digit is 2.[4] If the first digit is 9, the second digit identifies the railway zone where the train is operated or maintained:

Third digit

If the first digit is 0, 1 or 2 and the second digit is 2, the third digit identifies the railway zone where the train is maintained, except for 0 (Y20XX, the Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi Express in all zones):

  • 1 (Y21XX): Central and some West Central zone trains
  • 2 (Y22XX): Some Northern, North Central, North Western and Southern zone trains
  • 3 (Y23XX): Eastern and East Central zone trains
  • 4 (Y24XX): Some Northern, North Central and North Western zone trains
  • 5 (Y25XX): Northeast Frontier and North Eastern zone trains
  • 6 (Y26XX): Some Southern and South Western zone trains
  • 7 (Y27XX): South Central and some South Western zone trains
  • 8 (Y28XX): South Eastern, South East Central and East Coast zone trains
  • 9 (Y29XX): Western, some West Central and North Western zone trains

If the second digit is other than 2, the second and third digits identify the railway division where the train is operated and maintained.[5]

If the first digit is 4 and the second digit is 0, the third digit indicates service between:

  • 400XX: Chennai Beach and Tambaram
  • 401XX: Chennai Beach and Tambaram
  • 403XX: Chennai Beach and Tambaram
  • 404XX: Chennai Beach and Tambaram
  • 405XX: Chengalpattu and Tambaram
  • 406XX: Chengalpattu and Tambaram
  • 407XX: Chengalpattu and Tirumalpur
  • 408XX: Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram

If the second digit is 3, the third digit indicates service between:

  • 430XX: Chennai Central and Avadi
  • 431XX: Chennai Central and Pattabiram
  • 432XX: Chennai Central and Thiruvalluvar
  • 434XX: Chennai Central and Arakkonam
  • 435XX: Chennai Central and Thiruttani
  • 436XX: Chennai Beach and Avadi
  • 438XX: Chennai Beach and Arakkonam

If the second digit is 5 or 6, the third digit indicates the direction of travel:

If the first digit is 5, 6 or 7, the second and third digits indicate the division where the train is operated and maintained:

If the first digit is 8, the third digit identifies the zone where the train is operated or maintained:[4]

  • 1 (821XX): Central and West Central zones, Konkan Railway and some North Central zone trains
  • 2 (822XX): As authorized by the Railway Board
  • 3 (823XX): Eastern zone and a some East Central zone trains
  • 4 (824XX): Northern zone and some North Central and North Western zone trains
  • 5 (825XX): Northeast Frontier and North Eastern zone and some East Central zone trains
  • 6 (826XX): Southern zone and some South Western zone trains
  • 7 (827XX): South Central and some South Western zone trains
  • 8 (828XX): South Eastern, South East Central and East Coast zone trains
  • 9 (829XX): Western and some North Western zone trains

Fourth and fifth digits

The fourth and fifth digits are random numbers, making each five-digit train number unique. However, on the Delhi Suburban Railway the fourth digit (4NXPX) indicates the following:

  • 0 to 2: MEMU
  • 3 to 5: Electric multiple unit
  • 6 and 7: Conventional passenger coach
  • 8: Diesel multiple unit
  • 9: Other rolling stock

See also

References
  1. "Government Of India Circular" (PDF). 15 November 2010 – via Railway Board.
  2. "Railways replace 4-digit numbering system with 5-digit". 12 December 2010 – via The Times Of India.
  3. "Ministry of Railways". 18 November 2010 – via Press Information Bureau.
  4. "Suvidha train numbering scheme" (PDF). 10 June 2016 – via Ministry of Railways.
  5. "IRFCA".
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