[?] Displayed train numbers on Virgin

U-Bahnfreund · 5 Aug 2017

I travelled on Virgin Trains (West Coast) recently and noticed the train numbers display on the doors. Sometimes, it would show the headcode I can also find on Real Time Trains (e.g. VT 1H02) but on the other hand, I also saw seemingly random numbers (e.g. VT 7923).

Does anyone know why this is? Why do they display them, anyway, the head codes are - as far as I know - not known to the general public.

Thanks for any answers.

RailUK Forums

466.networkers · 5 Aug 2017

Taking 1H02
as an example:

Schedule Information
WTT schedule UID P51614, identity 1H02
Runs SO between 27/05/2017 to 09/12/2017
Service code 22108001, headcode 7357
Express Passenger

There's the VT 7357 - it's the VT headcode, and not the train identifier.

driver_m · 6 Aug 2017

The 4 figure number is the journey number for the stopping pattern and the reservations which put in either by the depot at the start of the day, or a TM. You'll see the headcode on the side if the driver has logged into the TMS.

TT-ONR-NRN · 6 Aug 2017

As well as the head code for the service, the train operating company sometimes use their own head codes too.

CheeseOnToast · 6 Aug 2017

driver_m said:
The 4 figure number is the journey number for the stopping pattern and the reservations which put in either by the depot at the start of the day, or a TM. You'll see the headcode on the side if the driver has logged into the TMS.

Also known as RSID in some systems and by many historically.

221129 · 6 Aug 2017

TT-ONR-NRN said:
As well as the head code for the service, the train operating company sometimes use their own head codes too.

Any examples?

StephenHunter · 6 Aug 2017

221129 said:
Any examples?

The aforementioned Virgin of course. I see it as imitating their air services in style.

221129 · 6 Aug 2017

It's the retail service ID. So A) Not a headcode (no such thing) and B) is not internal to VT as every passenger train has one and is used by all TOCS when booking seats etc.

Bletchleyite · 6 Aug 2017

Most of the time they show the head code (number letter number number) on the doors these days. I don't know why the retail service ID isn't used very often - people understand flight numbers and using them would in my view make things clearer.

[?] Displayed train numbers on Virgin

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