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Each train and freight operating company develops the timetable they would like to run in their area, and Network Rail then coordinates all the different timetables to produce a single national rail timetable.

Do train turntables still exist?

Railroad Turntables

• Last revised: March 17, 2023
• By:
• The turntable was a common, but very important, device that could be found in most terminals, large and small, during the steam era.
• During this time steam locomotives were operated most efficiently in the forward direction and thus had to be turned every time if, for instance, they were to make a return trip (or for a myriad of other reasons).
• In many cases a turntable was more practical to build than a wye, which took up much more ground.
• In any event, with the advent of the diesel locomotive the device fell out of favor as the new technology could be operated in either direction without necessarily needing to be turned.

Today, turntables are rarely used by freight railroads. However, they have not completely disappeared as several have found a second life turning the many restored steam locomotives still in service on railroad museums and tourist railroads. Santa Fe GP7u #2073 (built as GP7 #2808) and an F7B go for a spin on the turntable at the AT&SF shops in Cleburne, Texas, circa 1980. The B unit is likely soon to be rebuilt into a CF7. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection. In nearly all terminals in which railroads constructed a turntable the structure was located next to or near a roundhouse, a semicircular building that was used to store steam locomotives and perform light maintenance on railroad equipment.

1. The idea of a turntable device to easily spin locomotives in the other direction followed, which not only offered a relatively simple way to turn equipment but also was conveniently located within the terminal.
2. In addition, it was right next to the roundhouse where the steamers were serviced (interestingly, turntables did not gain widespread favor in Europe during the steam era as many locomotives were designed to operate in either direction).
3. All early designs were known as “Armstrong” turntables due to the fact that they required a worker manually pushing the device in one direction or the other.
4. Whether operated with brute force or mechanically the turntable was always a relatively simple, although very important, piece of equipment.
5. A large, five to ten foot-diameter pit was dug out in which a standard steel span was placed (not unlike a bridge beam span).
6. Around the edges of the pit a rail was placed and the support span usually had wheels attached to it at either end in which to track along it.
7. Also, at the center of the pit the span was placed on some type of central anchor hinge.
8. Finally, in later years as the structure became somewhat more sophisticated a small operators shack could be found on one end where a worker would be located to operate the device.
9. Not surprisingly, early turntables were very small, sometimes just six feet in diameter since nothing larger was needed with the relatively small locomotives and cars in use during much of the 19th century.
10. However, this changed as equipment grew larger, heavier, and longer thanks to new technologies like the air-brake, more advanced steam locomotives, and a greater demand for rail service.
11. During the 20th century most roundhouse terminals featured turntables of at least 70 feet with some as large as 120 feet or more in diameter.

According to the magazine Trains, most Class I railroads of the era found that turntables of between 80 and 100 feet often suited their needs. Additionally, with these larger tables manual “Armstrong” designs fell out of favor. Powered tables usually featured either compressed air or pneumatics/hydraulics to turn them.

Since turntables are no longer needed within today’s industry you might not realize just how vital these devices once used to be. For instance, the above mentioned periodical, Trains, did a short piece from its January, 1945 issue which described how Baltimore & Ohio forces rebuilt its turntable in Chillicothe, Ohio where once a small terminal was located along its St.

Louis main line. The railroad wished to make the table deeper and wider to support larger and heavier steam locomotives (although interestingly, by that time, steam was in steep decline as main line power on most lines). To make sure that the work did not severely interfere with passenger and freight train schedules it was timed down to the minute and all of the locomotives operating out of the terminal were moved outside the roundhouse to nearby ready tracks. One of Rock Island’s interesting C415 switchers is on the turntable at Burr Oak Yard in Blue Island, Illinois on April 2, 1977. Note the E8A in the roundhouse. Doug Kroll photo. The actual project began at 7 a.m. and is said to have been completed in just 10 hours! The purpose of the devices, however, was mostly made obsolete by the diesel.

• This new type of locomotive could be operated just as efficiently bidirectionally, which eliminated the need for turning them as often as steamers.
• When they did need to be turned a common wye (literally, a “Y”-shaped track setup) would suffice.
• Without the need for a turntable railroads also did not require the accompanying roundhouse, although many remained in use for decades as maintenance facilities.

Today, turntables still have found a way to hang on as a need to turn steam locomotives, and some diesels, on excursion railroads and museums. They not only offer a practical way to turn the units without the need for a wye but also give a chance to allow the public to see how these interesting devices worked when they were regularly in use.

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: Railroad Turntables

How do I track a train in real time?

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What is the train app called?

Trainline App | Check train times, book tickets, save time & money.

Is Trainman app safe?

3. Trainman – Trainman is one of the recently developed and fastly growing train ticket booking apps. The platform lets you with an easy ticket booking process and checks the seat availability on any train. It is an authorised IRCTC partner that has been been used extensively by 12 million and more customers. Key Features:

Gives you precise information on the chances of ticket confirmation for a route before bookingGet executive lounge access at a few railway stationsCheck the running status of the train even when offlineVerify PNR statusBook train tickets easily Check for seat availability and coach positioning

Click to download the app on your Android phone Click to download the app on your iOS phone Also Read: Get Famoid Followers For Free For Your Instagram Account! Is It Safe?

What is CC in train?

Travelling is an integral part of the lives of human race. But the magnitude of travelling has changed a hell lot over the years. In olden days travelling merely meant getting from one place to another. People were not very choosy for a particular class while travelling via railways and luxury was never a part of travelling in those days.

1. Trains used to be comprised of coaches where seats were made of iron rods that were moulded to form bench where people could sit.
2. But with advancements in technology, features, services people started taking care of these details while travelling.
3. Soon came the sleeper classes, coaches with toilets, washbasins, cushioned berths and what not.

It was then that the concept of AC Coaches started in Frontier mail (Now known as Golden Temple Mail). Although the technology used for air conditioning was quite unconventional way back in 1934. Thanks to the modern day Indian Railways that are employed to provide comfort and ease to the passengers at every step.

With changing travelling needs there are now various options of classes available by the Indian Railways to travel anywhere in India. I enjoy every bit of travelling but little do I know about the various abbreviations used by the Indian Railways like First AC (1A), Second AC (2A), Third AC (3A), First Class (FC), Executive Class (EC) etc and what are the differences between these different classes? First AC sleeper Class of the Indian Railways are the most expensive mode of travelling.

These are fully AC coaches. It consists of 4 or 2 berths per compartment and there are no side upper or side lower berths in 1A coaches. Compartment having 2 berths are called coupe and ones with 4 berths are called cabin, Each compartment has a door which passengers can lock from inside.

Charges are rocket high for First AC, sometimes even more than those of flight ticket but is worth giving a try. The berths are more comfortable and spacious, there is a small ladder to reach upper berth, dustbins to throw garbage (thanks to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan) and there are small tables for every passenger to have meals.

For trains like Rajdhani and Duronto, food is served in cutlery plates and bowls and there is special menu for 1A passengers unlike in 2A and 3A coaches where food is loaded from IRCTC’s Kitchen setups at various places. Also in some trains there is a button in each First AC compartment to call attendant at any point of time.

1. In some trains even washbasins are provided inside each compartment.
2. There is also one washroom with shower facilities per coach where passengers can bathe and get ready.
3. The curtains used in these coaches are fire-proof and blankets are covered and clean.
4. Chart is prepared manually for 1A coaches hence, passengers get seat numbers only after chart is prepared.

If you are lucky, you might be welcomed with a flower and a welcome drink in this class making you feel like a Maharaja of some era.

Total Berths: 18-24Chart Prepared manually.Food prepared inside the train in pantry cars. Pets (Dog or any other pet) allowed in this class subject to various conditions. Washrooms to take shower (In some trains).

Executive Anubhuti coaches are furnished with aircraft like amenities by the Indian Railways. These coaches are equipped with enhanced features when compared to the executive class of Shatabdi trains. Executive Anubhuti classes have been recently added in some Shatabdi trains.

It does not have sleeper berths. It is a fully AC 56-seat coach that has a chair car seating arrangement of 2X2 fashion along with LCD screens. LED lights are fitted in these coaches which provides appropriate lighting in train. It has recliner seats and cushioned leg rests to ensure a comfortable journey to the passengers.

Railways have also provided headphones on each seat to watch movies and music for the entertainment of passengers on board. Charging sockets are also available in between two seat joints. Automatic doors are there in which passengers do not have to slide/push the door.

• Above each seat it also has attendant call button.
• The food tables are attached under armrest which can be opened just with a click button and pushed inside when not in use.
• Passenger details also gets displayed on the panels which are in the middle of each coach like speed of train, upcoming station, etc.

In order to keep the tracks defecation-free, anubhuti coaches have modular bio-toilets furnished with touch-free taps. At the end of each coach, there is also a washroom occupancy indicator by which you can get to know that it is vacant or occupied. Luggage racks, washrooms, doorway area, exterior of coaches are exquisitely covered with anti-graffiti vinyl wrapping.

Fare of such coaches is very high which also includes the catering charges. These are Executive Class coaches by the Indian Railways. It is said to be Railway’s Business Class mode of travelling like in aircrafts. It is fully AC class with only Chair Car type seating arrangements. There are no Sleeper berths in these coaches.

It is similar to CC (Chair Car) class like the one’s in Shatabdi trains. The only difference being seat arrangements are in 2 X 2 fashion in Executive Class making it more comfortable and spacious. Therefore there is more leg space and middle walk way is also wide.

• Washrooms are clean and hygienic in this class.
• There are small tables attached to the back of your front seat, which can be used to have meals or to keep your belongings.
• The Executive class is present in Shatabdi trains, tejas express and in a handful double decker trains too.
• Fares for this class is too high, similar to first ac.

Catering charges are included in ticket fare for this class for shatabdi trains. And as you know, the higher the class, the less noise; hence in this class too you would find people engrossed in their own world and you would hardly find any co-passengers chit chatting in this class.

This is second AC Sleeper class by the Indian Railways. In terms of features it stands less than the first ac coaches but in terms of service and comfort this class is way above 3A class. It has 6 berths in each compartment. Only 2 berths are there on each side of the compartment and there is no middle berth.

Therefore, it is also sometimes classed ac 2-tier. This gives ample space to passengers unlike crowded third AC coaches. The seats are spacious and curtains are provided in each compartment unlike in 3A coaches where curtains were removed recently. There is a reading lamp provided on each berth for anyone to use it personally.

Food served in second ac and third ac are same! Although you would feel attendants are more attentive and would bring you anything you demand (be it extra roti or extra rice or more dal or even extra pillow etc.) in 2A while in 3A attendants are more adamant and might refuse to bring you anything extra.

As a traveller I miss the train discussions and random communication with co-passengers here, since people do not indulge into much discussions and talking in these coaches generally. It is quieter in Second AC coaches compared to Third AC and Sleeper class coaches.

Total Berths: 48-54Reading LampsCurtains

First Class are the non ac coaches by the Indian Railways. This class was very popular in late 70’s and early 80’s amongst VIPs and politicians. But with the introduction of AC coaches, FC classes phased out slowly. Now only handful of trains offer First Class.

This class too have 2 Berth Coupes and 4 Berth Cabins with a door which can be latched from inside just like the ones in AC First class. The main reason for passengers to still continue to travel in this class is for the safety and peace of mind. There are no attendant call button or dustbins inside the cabins or coupes in this class, although these coaches comes equipped with reading lamps and are clean and hygienic.

Ticket fare of this class is comparatively higher than third ac and ac chair car while it is lower than the fares of second ac and first ac classes. Since people could travel in third ac with lesser money, almost everyone started preferring third ac over first class which further led to its demise.

Some of the toy trains too have first class. The FC class of toy trains and some of the short distance trains and passenger trains in India have seating arrangements only. Seats are in 2 X 1 fashion or 2 X 2 fashion, For example Rail Motor- 72451 have only FC class which have only seating arrangements.

There are other short distance trains that have only FC class coaches for the entire train. But it seems like this class would soon become extinct just like the dinosaurs, in coming years.

Safe due to doors per compartment.Clean and hygienic.

This is the most common and most preferred class of travel by the Indian middle class passengers. Third AC Sleeper has 8 berths in each compartment. The backrest of the lower berth is pulled upward to make it a middle berth and since each side of the compartment has three seats, it becomes impossible for an adult to sit upright when all three berths are open.

Also, there is no reading lamps on the berths which is there in second ac class. The side upper and lower berth resemble the same to that provided in 2A Sleeper the exception being reading lamps. Hence there is extra head space in side berths and you might not risk getting hit on side berths. Washrooms are not as clean as in 2AC and First AC Sleeper coaches.

The 8-berth compartment composition makes it little crowded. Third ac coaches are normally heaviest coaches of the train. Well one thing I like about this class is that people get into discussions more frequently in this class, so if you are not looking out for personal space, you could indulge into group discussions with your co-passengers.

Total Berths: 64-72No curtains

This is very rare AC 3 tier Economy class available by the Indian Railways. They are just like 3A coaches the only difference being in the number of berths in each compartment. In 3A class there are 6 berths and 2 side berths in each compartment, but in 3E class there are 3 side berths making it a total of 9 berths per compartment.

1. This class is available in some of the Duronto trains and Garib Rath Express (translates to poor man chariot).
2. The extra side middle berth in 3E class makes it bit congested in daytime journeys while it is comfortable or rather manageable during night journeys.
3. Due to the side middle berth the head space in side berths are too less unlike in 3A coaches where there are ample of head space for the side berth passengers.

The concept of Garib Rath was introduced by the then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in view of passengers who could not afford to travel in AC Coaches. For this class of travel in Garib Rath Express bedroll charges are not included in ticket fare and passengers need to opt the same during ticket reservation for which they are charged Rs.25 extra.

Total Berth: 72-81Bedroll charges extra Rs.25/- for some trains.Side middle berth extra.

This is Chair Car class by the Indian Railways. It consists of only seating arrangements with 3 X 2 seats per row. Each seat is dedicated to one passenger. This is fully AC coach. This type of class is available in short journey trains. Premium trains like Shatabdi Express and some of the Duronto trains (Day time) has Chair Car coaches.

• Sometimes jan-shatabdi trains also have 1-2 ac chair car coaches.
• There is a space overhead to keep luggage and it is placed safe in your sight at all times.
• There are small tables attached on the back of your front seat which a passenger can open to have meal or to keep their belongings.
• These coaches are clean and well maintained by the Indian Railways.

I think travelling in Chair Car gives you a combined feeling of flight and bus journey. The fare for this class is higher than sleeper but lower than third ac. These are sleeper class coaches by the Indian Railways. These are Non-AC Coaches and have 8 berths per compartment.

• The windows are not shielded with thick glasses unlike in AC coaches hence there is enough air ventilation.
• But with air comes dust, sunrays and water (During rainfall) through the windows.
• It gets too hot in daytime and too cold during nights in these coaches.
• One can view and feel beautiful countryside sceneries more in Sleeper Class coaches.

Since attendants are not there for these coaches, safety remains a major issue in this class of travel. There are lots of hawkers selling tea, coffee, bhelpuri, books and lots of other stuff inside the train in this class. The best part with these hawkers coming and going is that it reminds you of your childhood memories.

These hawkers are not allowed to board the train in AC class coaches. Since travelling in sleeper class is very economical, it is mostly preferred for short overnight journeys by the passengers. One can see people discussing a hell lot on any topic in this class. There is a great deal of noise (from the windows and from the chit chatting going around).

The capacity of this coach is normally 72 passengers but don’t be surprised if you see twice or more passengers inside a sleeper coach. This is because a lot of people having waitlisted ticket or unreserved ticket also travel in this class. So if you are looking for some lonely quiet time, we would highly recommend not to prefer this class.

Total Berth: 72-808 berths per compartment.Usually 2 windows that can be opened/closed manually.

These are Second Seating Class by the Indian Railways.2S is a Non AC class coach which are the cheapest class to travel by the Indian Railways. This class is common in most daytime Intercity and Janshatabdi trains.2S can be reserved or unreserved. For reserved 2S category coaches are equipped with chair car seats in 3X3 fashion.

• Since it is non AC class, it gets quite uncomfortable at times during summer.
• Also, 3X3 seating makes it bit compact and congested.
• For the unreserved class seats are bench like just like in buses and local trains and 3 passengers can accommodate per bench.
• You would find this class to be most lively as there is always some movement going around in this class.

You would find various short distance passengers who would always occupy seats in this class and would be engaged in highest level of discussions. For long journeys it is not advisable to travel by this class. Many a times people fight over seat in this class due to the unreserved nature and big demand.

Do you know there is luggage allowance in railways too just like in airways. There is a maximum limit for the luggage load allowed per passenger in trains beyond which a passenger is liable to be charged extra. This is different for different classes by the Indian Railways. Although I never found this rule to be followed very strictly by the passengers and railway employees but if a passenger is seen carrying shit load of extra luggage, they need to take special permission from the railway authority for which they are charged extra.

There are specified luggage dimension too for the passengers to carry them in their compartment. Your luggage’s outside dimensions for trunks, suitcases and bags should not exceed 100cmsX60cmsX25cms (length X breadth X height). Anything beyond this might be objected by the railway authorities.

Class	Free Luggage Allowance (Kgs)	Extra Permitted (Kgs)	Maximum Allowance(Kgs)
1A- First AC Sleeper	75	15	150
2A- AC 2-tier Sleeper /First Class	50	10	100
3A – AC 3-tier Sleeper / Chair Car	40	10	80
SL- Sleeper Class	40	10	70
2S- Second Class	35	10	60

The dimensions of berths differs for different classes and for different category of trains. For instance first ac coaches are very spacious and 2 people can easily accommodate on a single berth of this class while it is narrow in Sleeper class (SL) coaches.

Features	1A	EC	2A	FC	3A	CC	SL
Attendant Call Button	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Dustbins inside compartment	Yes	No	No	May or may not	No	No	No
Curtains	Yes Fireproof	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Fare	Very high	Very high	High	High	Moderate	Moderate	Low
Air Conditioning	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Sleeper	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Only Seating	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No
Cabin/ Coupe	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Reading lamps	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No

Here is the price comparison between different classes for trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Class	Fare (Rs.)
First AC (1A)	1940
Executive Class (EC)	1930
Second AC (2A)	1150
First Class (FC)	950
Third AC (3A)	815
Chair Car (CC)	665
Sleeper (SL)	315
Second Seating (2S)	180

What are the tables in trains called?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wagon turntable at the National Slate Museum in Wales on 2 ft ( 610 mm ) gauge track A turntable at the John Street Roundhouse, now part of Roundhouse Park in Toronto, Canada, viewed from the CN Tower in September 2012. Trench railway turntable. In rail terminology, a railway turntable or wheelhouse is a device for turning railway rolling stock, usually locomotives, so that they can be moved back in the direction from which they came. it is especially used in areas where economic considerations or a lack of sufficient space have served to weigh against the construction of a turnaround wye,

1. In the case of steam locomotives, railways needed a way to turn the locomotives around for return trips as their controls were often not configured for extended periods of running in reverse and in many locomotives the top speed was lower in reverse motion.
2. In the case of diesel locomotives, though most can be operated in either direction, they are treated as having “front ends” and “rear ends” (often determined by reference to the location of the crew cab).

When a diesel locomotive is operated as a single unit, the railway company often prefers, or requires, that it be run “front end” first. When operated as part of a multiple unit locomotive consist, the locomotives can be arranged so that the consist can be operated “front end first” no matter which direction the consist is pointed.

Who runs railcard?

ATOC Ltd manages Railcards on behalf of the train companies. Your personal information may be disclosed to the train companies who run services in your region in order for them to administer and support your use of the Railcard.

What is the train time table problem?

The Train Timetabling Problem (TTP) aims to find a timetable that must respond both to commercial needs and certain capacity and security related constraints. The combination of the latter, makes the TTP a complex and time con- suming process.