Indian Railways Train Coach Types & Code Meanings
A full reference to passenger classes, service coaches and train formation labels. Booking class codes such as 3A describe accommodation; labels such as B1 identify individual coaches. Codes can vary by data source, and coach types do not have fixed positions in every train.
1. Engine (E)
The locomotive that powers and pulls the train. It is normally positioned at the front of the train.
Common labels: E, ENG.
2. General / Unreserved (GS)
General or unreserved accommodation does not provide a reserved seat or berth. GS, GEN and UR may identify it in train information; a valid ticket is still required.
Common labels: GS, GEN, UR.
3. AC First Class (1A)
First AC (1A) is an air-conditioned sleeping class with two-berth coupes and four-berth cabins. H1 and H2 are common coach labels.
Common labels: H1, H2.
4. AC Two Tier (2A)
AC 2 Tier (2A) has lower and upper berths in each bay, plus side lower and side upper berths. A1 and A2 identify individual coaches.
Common labels: A1, A2.
5. AC Three Tier (3A)
AC 3 Tier (3A) has lower, middle and upper berths in each bay, plus side lower and side upper berths. B1, B2 and B3 are common coach labels.
Common labels: B1, B2, B3.
6. AC Three Tier Economy (3E)
AC 3 Tier Economy (3E) provides air-conditioned three-tier sleeping accommodation. M1, M2 and M3 are common coach labels; the layout depends on the coach design.
Common labels: M1, M2.
7. Sleeper Class (SL)
Sleeper Class (SL) is non-air-conditioned reserved accommodation with lower, middle, upper and side berths. S1, S2 and S3 identify sleeper coaches.
Common labels: S1, S2, S3.
8. First Class (FC)
A non-air-conditioned reserved accommodation class offering more spacious accommodation than Sleeper Class.
Common labels: FC.
9. Second Seating (2S)
Second Seating (2S) is non-air-conditioned reserved seating for seated travel. D1 and D2 are common coach labels; it is different from an unreserved general coach.
Common labels: D1, D2.
10. AC Chair Car (CC)
An air-conditioned seated coach designed primarily for daytime journeys, with individual passenger seats instead of sleeping berths.
Common labels: C1, C2.
11. AC Executive Chair Car (EC)
A premium air-conditioned seated coach with wider and more spacious seating than a standard AC Chair Car.
Common labels: E1, E2.
12. Anubhuti Executive Chair Car (EA)
A premium chair-car accommodation designed with enhanced passenger amenities and a more spacious executive-style seating arrangement.
Common labels: EA.
13. AC First + AC Two Tier (1A + 2A)
A composite coach containing accommodation from both AC First Class and AC Two Tier in the same coach.
Common labels: HA1.
14. AC Two Tier + AC Three Tier (2A + 3A)
A composite coach combining AC Two Tier and AC Three Tier accommodation within the same coach.
Common labels: 2A + 3A.
15. Pantry Car (PC)
A service coach used for preparing, storing and handling food and beverages for passengers during the journey.
Common labels: PC.
16. Luggage Van (LU)
A coach or van used for carrying passenger luggage and other permitted luggage consignments.
Common labels: LU.
17. Brake, Luggage & Generator Van (PWR)
A service vehicle combining brake equipment, luggage space and generator-related functions.
Common labels: PWR.
18. Guard / Brake & Luggage Coach (GRD)
A service coach providing space for brake equipment, luggage and operational duties associated with train working.
Common labels: GRD.
19. Divyaangjan / Accessible Coach (DA)
An accessible compartment for passengers with disabilities. It may form part of an SLRD coach; facilities and boarding arrangements depend on the train.
Common labels: DA, DP, SLRD.
20. Seating cum Luggage & Brake Van (SLR)
SLR combines passenger seating, luggage space and a train manager compartment. SLRD also includes a Divyangjan-friendly compartment; it is not simply a parcel van.
Common labels: SLR, SLRD.
21. Generator Car (GEN)
A dedicated service vehicle used for onboard electrical power generation in applicable train formations.
Common labels: GEN (power car).
22. High Capacity Parcel Van (HCPV)
A dedicated high-capacity vehicle designed for transporting parcels and other permitted goods.
Common labels: HCPV.
23. Motor cum Parcel Van (MCPV)
A powered parcel vehicle used in applicable multiple-unit formations. It is not a reserved passenger class.
Common labels: MCPV.
24. Postal Van (RMS)
A dedicated vehicle used for transporting postal articles and related mail-handling consignments.
Common labels: RMS.
25. DMU Power Car (DMU)
A powered car in a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train. Passenger accommodation, where provided, depends on the vehicle design.
Common labels: DMU.
26. DMU Trailer (DMUT)
A non-powered trailer coach forming part of a Diesel Multiple Unit trainset.
Common labels: DMUT.
27. MEMU Motor Coach (MEMU)
A powered coach forming part of a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit formation.
Common labels: MEMU.
28. MEMU Trailer Coach (MEMUT)
A non-powered passenger coach forming part of a Mainline Electric Multiple Unit formation.
Common labels: MEMUT.
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