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Information About

Train Headcode




A Train Headcode (also called a ''train reporting number'') is a four-digit code, used to identify Train s running on the British Railway System . Originally, the headcode was displayed on a panel on the front of the train, but this practice ceased on 1 January 1976 and, since then, it has been used to identify the trains in the working timetable and for train reporting. The Headcode includes information about what type of train it is and where the train is travelling to. This is to help Signallers prioritise each train and for railway staff to easily locate or identify a particular train.


UNDERSTANDING THE HEADCODE



First character

The first character is a digit indicating the classification of the train, according to the following table:











1Express Passenger Train
2Ordinary Passenger Train
3 Freight Train which can run at more than 75 Mph
4Freight Train which can run up to 75mph
5Empty Coaching Stock Train
6Freight Train which can run up to 60mph
7Freight Train which can run up to 45mph
8Freight Train which can run up to 35mph
9 Eurostar /International Trains
0Light Locomotive or Locomotives


Second character

The second character indicates the destination of the train. If a train is travelling between regions in the UK, this character may indicate the destination region, according to the following table:












ELondon North Eastern Region
LEast Anglia Region
MMidlands and North Western Region
OSouthern Region
SScottish Region
VGreat Western Region

Alternatively, this character may denote one of the larger cities of the UK (A denotes London and G denotes Birmingham , for example). If a train is travelling within a region, there is a designated letter for each destination within the region.


Third and fourth characters

These make up a two-digit number specific to that train.


EXAMPLE


If a train's headcode was 1V01, the initial ''1'' would tell the signaller that the train is an Express Passenger Train and the ''V'' would indicate that it is travelling to the Greater Western Region (from another region).