Railways to switch to five-digit train number

In a significant move to make the train numbering system of passenger carrying trains of Indian Railways more scientific, logical, uniform and computer-friendly, Ministry of Railways has decided to use ‘five’ - digits for numbering trains, in place of the existing ‘four’- digit numbering system. The new ‘five’- digit numbering system of trains will come into effect from December 20, 2010.

To make the transition smooth and simple under the new scheme, only a prefix of the digit ‘1’ (one) will be added to the ‘four’- digit numbers of the existing trains which would cover all scheduled and regular express/mail and superfast trains.

Five digit train numbering scheme has become necessary in view of the four digit numbering scheme having got exhausted as Indian Railways runs more than 10 thousand trains every day.

Need has also arisen to integrate the passenger and suburban train services in various information systems such as Control Office Application, Passenger Reservation System and other software applications.