Can we have a separate fully AC/SL/GEN class trains on high demand routes instead of the mixed composition at present?
For e.g:
Mumbai-Howrah has 8 pairs of trains 12859/60, 12869/70, 12261/62, 12101/02, 12151/52, 12321/22, 12809/10, 18029/30 running between them with trains offering mixed composition.
Can their composition be revised such that we have 2 AC SF, 3 SL SF, 1 GEN SF...
more...

at their maximum capacity & their timings modified such that they leave for the destination daily within 30 minutes of each other running in the morning as well as evening hours?
Morning:
1 AC SF-1 (12859) (27 Hours, 22 Coach: 12 3A, 5 2A, 1 HA, 1 1A, 1 PC, 2 EOG)
Dep: 05:45 CSTM Arr: 21:15
Arr: 08:45 HWH Dep: 18:15
1 SL SF-1 (12809) (29 Hours, 22 Coach: 19 SL, 1 PC, 2 EOG)
Dep: 06:15 CSTM Arr: 22:45
Arr: 11:15 HWH Dep: 17:45
Evening:
1 AC SF-2 (12261) (27 Hours, 22 Coach: 11 3A, 6 2A, 1 HA, 1 1A, 1 PC, 2 EOG)
Dep: 17:15 CSTM Arr: 08:30
Arr: 19:40 HWH Dep: 05:30
2 SL SF (12869, 12101) (29 Hours, 22 Coach: 19 SL, 1 PC, 2 EOG)
1). SL SF-2
Dep: 22:45 CSTM Arr: 11:00
Arr: 03:45 HWH Dep: 06:00
2). SL SF-3
Dep: 23:15 LTT Arr: 11:30
Arr: 04:15 HWH Dep: 06:30
1 GEN SF (18029) (32.5 Hours, 22 Coach: 20 GEN, 2 EOG)
Dep: 23:15 CSTM Arr: 07:45
Arr: 07:45 HWH Dep: 23:20
Existing Composition provides for 78 SL, 52 AC (32 3A, 15 2A, 1 HA, 4 1A), 18 GEN Coaches inclusive of all trains running in a week of which 51 SL, 18 AC (10 3A, 6 2A, 1 HA, 1 1A), 10 GEN Coaches run daily.
Total no. of coaches run in a week with existing composition (4 ICF + 4 LHB trains):
SL: 416
[(51*7) + (11*1) + (8*4) + (8*2)]
Total berths in SL: 30,306
[(357*72) + (59*78)]
AC: 234
[(18*7) + (14*4) + (8*4) + (8*2) + (4*1)]
Total berths in AC: 13,314+
3A: 9,664
2A: 3,284
HA: ?
1A: 366
[3A (10*64*7) + (10*72*4) + (2*72*1) + (5*72*4) + (5*72*2)] +
[2A (6*46*7) + (3*52*4) + (2*52*1) + (2*52*4) + (2*52*2)] +
[HA (1*?HA*7)] + [1A (1*18*7) + (1*24*4) + (1*24*4) + (1*24*2)]
GEN: 90
[(10*7) + (2*1) + (3*4) + (3*2)]
Total berths in GEN: 8,300
[(70*90) + (20*100)]
Revised Composition can provide for 57 SL, 38 AC (23 3A, 11 2A, 2 HA, 2 1A), 20 GEN Coaches daily.
Total no. of coaches run in a week with revised composition (6 LHB trains):
SL- 399 (57*7)
Total berths in SL: 31,122 (399*78)
AC- 266 (38*7)
Total berths in AC: 16,332+
3A: 11,592
2A: 4,004
HA: ? (Don't know it's capacity)
1A: 336
[3A(23*72*7) + 2A(11*52*7) + 1A(2*24*7) + HA(2*?HA*7)]
GEN- 140 (20*7)
Total berths in GEN: 14,000 (140*100)
Increase in berths in revised composition as compared to existing composition:
SL: 31,122 - 30,306 = 816
3A: 11,592 - 9,664 = 1928
2A: 4004 - 3284 = 720
HA: ? (Don't know it's capacity)
1A: 336 - 366 = -30
GEN: 14,000 - 8,300 = 5,700
This can help provide more berths especially the general class which have lesser number of coaches in the present composition without running an extra train and also help in managing crowds at the platforms & unauthorised travel problems in other classes to an extent.
That leaves out 12321/22, 12151/52, Can they be diverted via Pune to trail/lead 12129/30 to ease the load on it?
Since 12321/22, 12151/52 already run via a longer route as compared to the shorter conventional 1968 Kms. long route, The one via Pune would be 2212 Kms. long as against the current 2159 Kms. & 2081 Kms. for 12321/22 & 12151/52 respectively?
The hassles of GEN passengers is only bound to increase since LHBfication is eating up their space due to rake length restrictions & EOGs, So instead of compromising on their space why not start a separate class train itself?
If we think from GEN passengers' perspective, the current space on offer with 2-3 coaches does not guarantee a place in the coach & with the same scenario available in all trains & some GEN coaches earmarked for specific stations enroute, the passenger may not get to travel at all & has to try for the next day & if the passenger can not delay his journey that may perhaps lead to SL overcrowding near the GEN coaches.
Maybe if the TC's & RPF's are stern enough, the overcrowding can be controlled in the present scenario itself but this separate class segregation can provide relief to SL passengers.
Can this arrangement be atleast be tried on pilot basis on high density routes with 5+ trains running for the same source-destination to see it's effects?
The current fleet takes about ?24-25 rakes to operate 8 trains between Mumbai & Howrah, with the example above that number comes down to 21 without compromising on space & berths available for all classes, upto 4 rakes saved which can be used elsewhere thereby helping in effective resource usage!
P.S:
Current composition of trains:
1). 12322 (ICF) (Daily):
SL-11, 3A-4, 2A-1, HA-1, GEN-3, PC-1, SLR-2 Total-23
2). 18029 (ICF) (Daily):
SL-13, 3A-1, 2A-1, GEN-2, SLR-2, HCP-Variable Total-20+
3). 12859 (ICF) (Daily):
SL-14, 3A-2, 2A-2, GEN-3, PC-1, SLR-2 Total-24
4). 12809 (ICF) (Daily):
SL-13, 3A-3, 2A-2, H-1, GEN-2, PC-1, SLR-2, Total-24
5). 12261 (LHB) (4 Days):
3A-10, 2A-3, H-1, PC-1, EOG-2, Total-17
6). 12869 (LHB) (Weekly):
SL-11, 3A-2, 2A-2, GEN-2, PC-1, EOG-2, Total-20
7). 12101 (LHB) (4 Days):
SL-8, 3A-5, 2A-2, H-1, GEN-3, PC-1, EOG-2, Total-22
8). 12151 (LHB) (2 Days):
SL-8, 3A-5, 2A-2, H-1, GEN-3, PC-1, EOG-2, Total-22