NOSTALGIA
Circa 1960 when I was 10 years old, I undertook my first train journey unaccompanied by any adult, travelling from Howrah to Chennai. Since then, I have been an avid rail fan. What follows is an attempt to highlight in chronological order the sequence of introduction/abolition of various classes of accommodation in IR.
1956 IR had 5 classes, AC, Ist Class, 2nd Class, Inter Class and 3rd Class (with no sleeping accommodation)
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Inter class abolished.
1967 3 Tier sleeping accommodation introduced in 3rd class, with wooden planks for berths without cushions.
2 Tier sleeping accommodation introduced with cushioned berths. 3 or 4 passengers would sit on the lower berth during the day time and one of them with reservation of sleeping accommodation (on payment of extra berth charges would occupy the upper berth at night (or during day time if he so wished). the other 2 or 3 pax would continue to remain seated at night on the lower berth (similar to the present day RAC system)
1969 Introduction of Rajdhani Express with 2 types of classes viz. 1st AC and AC Chair Car. This was the birth of the AC Chair Car class.
Abolition of 2 Tier sleeping accommodation
1972 2nd class abolished and 3rd class converted to 2nd class
3 Tier berths in trains were progressively equipped with cushions instead of wooden planks.
1979 Introduction of AC 2 Tier class
Introduction of AC 3 Tier class
1988 Introduction of Shatabdi Express and EC Class (1st Class AC Sitting)
1992 Conversion of 2nd Class sleeping accommodation into a new class distinct from 2nd class called SLEEPER CLASS
There could be errors and omissions in the above sequence of events and I will request all members to add value to it and correct them wherever necessary.