Different types of Indian trains.

1. Duronto Express- FASTEST TRAIN IN INDIA
   
   
   
   Need speed? 
   Go for Duranto! Duranto train is the newest and fastest kind of  trains on Indian Railway network. Its becoming a cheaper alternative then flying especially on distances ranging between 500-1000 km routes.
   
   Name meaning: Duranto - made up of  दूर (far) अन्तो (End). Means ending distances
   Launched:  in 2010
   Coaches:     AC3,  AC2, AC1  some trains also have CC EC ,  3E and sleeper
   Avg speed:  82 kmph
   Purpose:    To become a flying alternative and connect long distance cities.If you want to quickly reach to other part of the country using land mode of transport then Duranto is the answer!
   
   Special facts:
   
   • Theouterdesign of the train is distinct style.
   • This train has no stops between source and destination station. (except a couple of technical stops)
   • It is the fastest travel way to travel on land in India.
   
   
   Routes
   
   • Connects major cities of India, new trains will be added soon. 
     Following services are operational
     
     Delhi with Kolkata, Lucknow, Allahabad, Chennai, Pune, Ernakulum, Secundarabad, Kolkata
     Mumbai to Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Kolkata 
     Bangalore to Kolkata
   
   
2.  Rajdhani Trains- THE OLD GOLD !
   
   
   This is the old-gold name in Indian Railway for luxury and speed. Rajdhani is the second fastest train type in India avg speed going upto 80kmph. 
   
   
   Difference between Rajdhani and Duranto:
   
   
   • Duranto has no stops between two large stations. Rajdhani stops on few major stations on the route.
   • Few stops in Rajdhani makes a tiny difference in time taken in Rajdhani Vs Duranto.
   • Rajdhani is still preferred choice of traveling long distances. Because travelers get free food, snacks, tea/coffee on the board! Which Duranto does nt.
   • Rajdhani trains only have AC1, AC2, AC3 classes while each Duranto train has different set of classes.
   • Rajdhani trains do not have a Tatkal Quota.
   
   Name meaning:
   Rajdhani means Capital. Rajdhani trains connect different parts of country to the Capital New Delhi. 
    
   Launched:  in 1969
   Coaches:     AC3,  AC2, AC1  
   Avg speed:  80 kmph
   Purpose:   It was started to connect the Capital (Rajdhani) to other major parts of India. It is a preferred travel train for upper middle class section of the society. It offers comfortable overnight travel option.
   
   
   Other facts:
   
   •     The design of the train is very new and different.
   •     This train has no stops between source and destination station. (except a couple of technical stops)
   •     It is the second fastest travel way to travel on land in India.
   
   Routes
   Connects New Delhi withalmost all major parts of the country.To see a complete list of trainsclick here
   
   
   
3. Shatabdi Express   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Intro 
   Shatabdi are perfect alternative to bus travel. 
   
   These trains connect major cities all over India and runs MOSTLY during day time. It does not have sleeper classes like the other trains. From inside they look like aeroplane's sitting arrangement.
   
   They are perfect for business travelers, who quickly want to get to other city for a meeting without prior plans. 
   
   Easier to get tickets on
   These trains are beneficial because they accommodate more number of seats in the same coach size. And hence availability of seats is not much of an issue on these trains.  
   
   Another reason that these trains have easier availability of tickets because it covers comparatively shorter routeswherebus travel is also popular.
   
   Features
   
   • Quick travel for distances upto 1000 kms. Avg speed 80 kmph.
   • Inter- connects major cities all over India and not just the capital.
   • Coach types: Chair Car and Executive Class
   • Last minute tickets: You can buy a ticket even 5 minutes before the train departure, much like a bus ticket.
   • Affordable luxury: Is comparatively cheaper than Rajdhani.
   • Meals: Free meals and snacks are offered on the board. 
   • Routessome of the popular stations include: Mumbai -Ahmedabad,Goa, Delhi- Ajmer,Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur and several others.
     
     
4. Garib Rath    
   
   
   
   
   
   Travel like rich without putting a hole in your pocket!
   
   Garib Rath (Chariot of the poor) is a newly introduced train which is comprised of 3E AC compartments. Some of these trains also have CC coaches. 
   
   Features
   
   
   
   • These are first trains to introduce the concept of 3E class. 
      
   • This is very much like the 3AC class the only difference is that there is an additional berth on the side seats.
     
     
   
   
   
   • Fully air conditioned trains.
   •  Designed for those who cannot afford to travel in the expensive Shatabti and Rajdhani Express. 
   •  Garib Rath means "Chariot of the Poor". The maximum speed is 130 km/h.
   • Runs on long distance routes.
   
   
5. Jan Shatabdi  
   
   
   
   
   
   Want to travel long routes, in quick time without spending much money? Go for Jan-Shatabdi! 
   
   These trains are best for frugal travelers who do not want to spend too much money on luxury. The Non-AC chair car is very cheap on this train. Itcosts almost equal to the unreserved class in express/mail trains.
   
   For example, a comfortable train ticket from Mumbai to Goa covering a distance of 800 km will cost you 197 Rs ($4) on this train!
   
   Another benefit is that unlike the sleeper coach express trains there are almost always seats available. So you don't have to worry much about reservation!
   
   
   
   FEATURES
   
   
   • Jan Shatabdi Express are a more affordable variety of the Shatabdi Express,
   • It has both CC AC and non-AC classes 2nd sitting. 
   • The maximum speed is 130 km/h. Avg speed is almost equal to Shatabdi.
   • This train mostly runs during only daytime and connects cities with distance between 500-1000 km
     
     
6. Sampark Kranti Express    
   
   
   
   Sampark Kranti Express trains provide quick connectivity from different states to the national capital, New Delhi.
   
   Meaning of name
   Sampark means connectivity. Kranti means revolution. The revolution to connect other parts of the nation to the capital!
   
   
   Looks like express runs like Rajdhani
   These trains have the coach composition of common Express/Mail trains (combination of Sleeper, AC, unreserved coaches) and speed touching shoulders of Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains. 
   
   
   When to use these trains
   These trains are good second alternative if you do not get availability in Garib Rath and other trains.  
   
   Also suitable for an overnight journey in sleeper or AC class. These trains not only offer good speed but are also very comfortable.
   
   
   
    
7. Superfast Express/Mail
   
   
   
   • These trains run on longer routes and have more number of stops as compared to trains discussed above.
   • These trains usually stops on smaller stations and small towns.
   • It is the oldest and most common type of trains in India. It is also one of the preferred way to travel for middle class.
   • The average speed of these trains is at least 55 KMPH
   • There is an extra super-fast charge applied on this train which does not exist in other lower train types.
     
     
8. Express Trains
   
   These are the most common kind of trains in India. This has more stops than their super-fast counterparts, but they stop only at relatively important intermediate stations.
   
   
9. Passenger/Superfast passenger
   
   
   These trains usually ply on short distances within a state or bordering state.   These trains stop at small stations and sometimes even very small villages.
   
   
10. Suburban trains    
    
    
    These trains operate in the urban areas of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and between Kanpur & Lucknow,usually stop at all stations and have unreserved seating accommodation.
    
    In some cities these trains can get very very crowded!
    
11. Metros and Monorails
    

    

    Mumbai_monorail_trial_run_wikipedia_Mrt3366

    Currently these trains ply in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore. Delhi and Kolkata has best network of Metro trains in India

On April 16, 1853, India's first train ran from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane for around 34 kilometres.

Here are some points you must know:

• 14 carriages, carrying around 400 passengers, left Bori Bunder (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) at 3:30 pm

• There was a 21-gun salute when the train was flagged off

• All 400 guests came invited. The native lords came from all over India to be a witness to the inauguration ceremony

• The Great Indian Peninsula Railway was formed subsequently

• Not many know but in November 1852, a trial run also took place but it was done with a shunting locomotive instead of a rail engine.

The Indian Railways has grown to be the biggest government entity in India ever since. After 163 years of the first train run, India is all set to get a superfast bullet train pretty soon.