Indian Railways Trains’ Colour Codes: This Is What Each Colour Signifies

There is a reason for these particular colours to be used and there is a massive difference in the coaches themselves. Yes, the different colours denote different coach models. Even the colour of the stripes on the side of the coaches denotes something very important.

After reading this article, you would be able to tell what class of seating the particular coach possesses, what sort of train it is, etc. Let's get digging.

Indian Railways Colour Codes For Trains

Blue-Coloured ICF Coach

A vast majority of trains in the Indian Railways use the Blue-coloured coaches. This denotes that it is an ICF coach. ICF here stands for Integral Coach Factory at Perambur near Chennai which is where the design for these coaches was developed.

It is the most conventional coach in India and is seen across mails, expresses and other passenger trains. These coaches have a tested top speed of 140km/h and is the entry-level coach in India.

These coaches feature different stripes to show that it serves different purposes. Diagonal yellow or white stripes at the end of the coach above the window line denotes that it is an unreserved general class compartment. no The absence of these stripes show that it is a sleeper coach.

LHB Coaches & Their Different Colours

LHB here stands for Linke-Hofmann-Busch which is the company that first designed these coaches. The company is based in Poland and produced its coaches in Germany. The first batch of coaches was imported and then the Indian Railways developed their own version of the design, christening it LHB.

These coaches are made of stainless steel and aluminium which makes them lighter than ICF. This also means, it can go faster. Though it could go up to 200km/h, the Indian Railways has only tested it up to 180km/h and have been operated at speeds of up to 160km/h. Once again, different colours mean different operating capabilities.

LHB Rajdhani
These coaches are Red in colour with a Grey shade at the bottom and on top.

LHB Shatabdi
LHB Shatabdi coaches use a shade of light blue with grey on top and at the bottom

LHB Double-Decker
This is one of the most unique trains in India and currently runs on only a few select routes. It is a double-decker with seats instead of sleepers thereby signifying a relatively short journey. It is decked in yellow and orange.

LHB Duronto
Multiple colours on the side of the coaches characterise the LHB Duronto. It is too complicated to be a paint job and hence is a vinyl wrap.

LHB Humsafar
These are the trains that look out of the ordinary and are a rare find. The coaches have a unique blue vinyl with orange and green at the bottom.

LHB Gatimaan
The Gatimaan is one of the newest additions to the Indian Railways and is known for its sheer speed. The train regularly clocks over 150km/h. It has blue coaches and with grey at the bottom and a yellow stripe where the grey begins.

LHB Tejas
The Tejas is one of the most modern coaches in the Indian Railways. The doors of the coaches are automated and the coaches feature unique yellow and orange vinyl with an interesting pattern.

LHB Antyodaya Express
These are LHB coaches and the entire Antyodaya Express is unreserved, making it unique in the way it operates. The coaches are red in colour and feature yellow at the window line.

Thoughts On Indian Railways Trains & Their Unique Colour Codes

India is a vast country and the rail network needed to connect the country is equally massive. It is little surprise then, that the Indian Railway is the largest employer in the world. It is said that the Indian Railways operates 22,593 trains on a regular basis. These are excluding the trains that are scheduled during special times.

With such a large number of trains, colour coding them and keeping the colours simple and easy to understand is a challenge that the Indian Railways has absolutely aced.