Introduction
The Indian Railways, known for its vast network and operational complexities, relies heavily on various codes and standards to ensure smooth functioning. One such crucial aspect is the ICF Coach Code, which plays a significant role in identifying and categorising different types of coaches used in Indian trains. In this blog, we'll delve into the intricacies of the ICF Coach Code system, its structure, and how it impacts the functioning of the Indian Railways.
What is the full form of ICF coach?
ICF coach stands for coaches manufactured at Integral Coach Factory.
What are ICF Coaches?
ICF stands for Integral Coach Factory. An ICF coach refers to a railway coach manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory, which is located in Chennai, India. Established in 1952, the Integral Coach Factory is one of the largest coach manufacturing units in the world and is owned by Indian Railways and it is the only production units of Indian Railway which manufactures Vande Bharat or Train sets.
What is the ICF Coach Code?
ICF Coach Code serve as a shorthand notation system used to classify different types of coaches within the Indian Railways. They consist of a combination of initials prefixes, class codes, and suffixes like Coach code, each carrying specific meanings. These codes are prominently displayed on the exterior of coaches and play a vital role in ticket booking, seat selection, and overall travel planning.
Structure of the ICF Coach Code:
The ICF Coach Code typically consists of a combination of letters and alphabets, each representing specific attributes of the coach. Understanding these codes is essential for railway officials, maintenance personnel, and passengers alike. Here's a breakdown of the typical structure:
Prefix Code: The first letter(s) denote the prefix which may be "W" for vestibule or "G" for self generation.
Class of Accommodation:The second letter(s) denote the class i.e F for first class, AC for Air Condition class etc.
Coach Code: The subsequent letter represent the class of the coach, such as 'CW' for Two Tier coach and CN for Three Tier Coach etc.
Additional Codes: Depending on the coach's features and amenities, additional letters or numbers may follow, indicating specific configurations, facilities, or modifications.
Examples of ICF Coach Code:
Let's examine a few examples to illustrate how the ICF Coach Code system works:
- WGFAC
List of ICF Coach code
As discussed earlier , ICF coach codes are primarily divided into following categories:
- Prefix
- Class of Accommodation
- Coach codes
- Combined codes
| Prefix Code | Description |
|---|---|
| C | Chair Car |
| CN | Three Tier Sleeper Car |
| CT | Tourist Car |
| CW | Two Tier Sleeper Car |
| D | Double-decker coach |
| G | Self Generating |
| L | Luggage van or luggage cubicle |
| M | Equipped with a generator (suffix) |
| P | Postal Van |
| PP | Postal Car (RMS/mail van) |
| R | Brake van/guard van |
| RA | Inspection carriage |
| RB | Inspection carriage (divisional officers), also Rail Bus |
| RE | Mobile Training Car |
| RH | Medical Van |
| RN | End-on generator car (in combination) |
| RS | Store Van |
| RT | Accident & Tool Van / Relief Van |
| RU | Self Propelling Tower Van |
| S | Second Class |
| T | Treasury Van |
| TV | Treasury Van |
| VP | Parcel Van |
| W | Vestibule |
| Y | Ladies |
Combined codes ( Accommodation and coach class) :
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ART | Accident And Tool Van |
| CTS | Tourist Car for Second Class |
| GSD | Second Class Double Decker Coach (Self-generating) |
| GSLR | Second Class Cum Luggage & Brake Van (Self-generating) |
| GSLRD | Second Class Cum Luggage & Brake Van With Disabled Friendly Compartment (Self-generating) |
| GSLRDAC | Second Class Cum Luggage & Brake Van With A/C Disabled Friendly Compartment (Self-generating) |
| GS | Second Class Coach (Self-generating) |
| GSRD | Second Class Brake Van With Disabled Friendly Compartment (Self-generating) |
| NMG | Motor car carrier coach |
| PP | Full postal van |
| RAAC | Air-conditioned inspection carriage (administrative) |
| RHV | Auxiliary Car for Medical Van |
| VPH | High capacity parcel van |
| VPR | Refrigerated parcel van |
| VPU | Motor cum parcel van |
| VVN | Milk van |
| WACCNH | A/C 3-tier Sleeper Coach for Garib Rath (End-on generator) |
| WCBAC | A/C Pantry Car (End-on generator) |
| WCD | Vestibule Car, Dining |
| WGCB | Pantry Car (Self-generating) |
| WGFCWAC | Composite A/C First Class + 2-tier Sleeper Coach (Self-generating) |
| WGFCZ | First Class Chair Car (Self-generating) |
| WGSCN | 3-tier Sleeper Coach (Self-generating) |
| WGSCZ | Second Class Day Coach With Sitting Accommodation (Self-generating) |
| WGSCZAC | A/C Chair Car (Self-generating) |
| WGSCZACJ | A/C Chair Car for Jan Shatabdi (Self-generating) |
| WGSCZJ | Second Class Chair Car for Jan Shatabdi (Self-generating) |
| WGSCZRJ | Second Class Chair Car Cum Brake Van for Jan Shatabdi (Self-generating) |
| WGFAC | A/C First Class Coach (Self-generating) |
| WGACCW | A/C 2-tier Sleeper Coach (Self-generating) |
| WGACCN | A/C 3-tier Sleeper Coach (Self-generating) |
| WGCWNAC | Composite A/C 2-tier + 3-tier Sleeper Coach (Self-generating) |
| WRB | Rail Bus |
| WRRMDAC | Brake, Generator Car with A/C Disabled Friendly Compartment for Garib Rath (End-on generator) |
FAQ
Q.How do I know if my coach is ICF and LHB?
A. ICF coaches traditionally blue in exterior colour and use conventional coil spring for suspension systems.
Q. What is the 6 digit coach number?
A.The 6-digit coach number is a unique identifier assigned to each railway coach in which first two digit indicate manufacturing year and last 4 digit is for type of coach.
Q.What do the letters in an ICF coach code represent?
A.The letters in an ICF coach code represent different attributes of the coach, such as the class of accommodation (e.g., S for Second Class, FC for First Class), type of coach (e.g., G for Self Generating, CW for Two Tier Sleeper Car), and other features (e.g., R for Brake van/guard van).
