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Train classification

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geoffk

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A question about class 1 and 2 trains and why sometimes a slower train is class 1.

Every hour a Northern train leaves Leeds for Manchester Vic via Bradford at xx18 and another for Southport via Brighouse at xx20. The train via Bradford is a class 2, that via Brighouse a class 1, despite making more stops along the Calder Valley.

The Bradford train should reach Milner Royd Jn first but, if it is late, which train takes priority? The answer is of course the train with fewer stops (the “express”), so we have a situation where a class 2 train takes priority over a class 1. Is there a reason of which I’m unaware why the classification is like this?
 
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wellhouse

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Might it be that the Brighouse service is prioritised to minimise possible disruption to other services between Leeds and Heaton Lodge?
 

Neptune

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I think it’s to do with the paths around Manchester as the Leeds - Chester service is also class 1 despite making more stops along the Calder Valley than the fast service. Making these services class 1 is supposed to give them priority to get through Victoria.
 

33017

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A question about class 1 and 2 trains and why sometimes a slower train is class 1.

Every hour a Northern train leaves Leeds for Manchester Vic via Bradford at xx18 and another for Southport via Brighouse at xx20. The train via Bradford is a class 2, that via Brighouse a class 1, despite making more stops along the Calder Valley.

The Bradford train should reach Milner Royd Jn first but, if it is late, which train takes priority? The answer is of course the train with fewer stops (the “express”), so we have a situation where a class 2 train takes priority over a class 1. Is there a reason of which I’m unaware why the classification is like this?
Generally, the train most likely to achieve PPM or have the greatest effect on overall performance will be the one that’s prioritised, regardless of whether it’s class 1, 2 or 9.
 

FGW_DID

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Is there a way to find out which services have been designated which class number?

Yes, look up the particular service (or location) you require on a website such as RealTime Trains (others are available). You see the ‘headcode’ of the service, e.g 1P37, 2V55 etc. The first number is the train classification:

See the Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_reporting_number for more info on ‘headcodes’ / train reporting numbers.

The classes are periodically revised, and since 13 December 2017, the classes have been:[4]

  1. Express passenger train; nominated postal or parcels train; breakdown or overhead line equipment train going to clear the line (headcode 1Z99); traction unit going to assist a failed train (1Z99); snow plough going to clear the line (1Z99)
  2. Ordinary passenger train; Officers’ special train (2Z01)
  3. Freight train if specially authorised; a parcels train; autumn-railhead treatment train; empty coaching stock train if specially authorised
  4. Freight train which can run up to 75 mph (120 km/h)
  5. Empty coaching stock train
  6. Freight train which can run up to 60 mph (95 km/h)
  7. Freight train which can run up to 45 mph (70 km/h)
  8. Freight train which can run up to 35 mph (55 km/h)
  9. Class 373 train; other passenger train if specially authorised
  10. Light locomotive or locomotives
 

edwin_m

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9 was originally the classification for unfitted freight trains, but these no longer operate so the number became spare. It's now used for various purposes around the network, including Eurostar but also trains that you would expect to be Class 1 but the operator wants them given special priority. IIRC the London-Birmingham-Scotland also run as Class 9 and the different number makes it less likely someone will accidently send them down the Trent Valley line. I don't know why that particular working in the link is run as Class 9.
 

Muzer

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London Overground is another common user of Class 9. Virgin XC was as well back when that was a thing; under CrossCountry they've gone back to Class 1s.
 

swt_passenger

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Some Crossrail/TfL Rail are running as class 9 on the GWR as well. It’s becoming more and more widespread every timetable change...
 

Muzer

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To be fair almost all of these have in common that they're going from one operating area to another quite distinct one, meaning knock-on delays will be substantial and harmful, and so at least it's being used consistently for that.
 

Dibbo4025

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Mainly on the Wessex route it has been used to indicate a train with special operating characteristics - before the Waterloo works in 2017 the main suburban 10 car trains ran as class 9 (and ecs class 3) to indicate they had to be in platform 5 or higher and more recently the class 442 ran as class 9 because of restrictions on their routing
 

Andyh82

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Certain ECS workings are 3's as well

Around Leeds the 0705 Neville Hill to Harrogate is 3C15

Most if not all the LNER morning ECS's from Neville Hill to Bradford, Skipton, Harrogate & Lincoln are 3's as well.
 

bb21

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Class 9's generally denote "special instructions", which could be higher priority, different routing, and anything else so desired.

Class 1's are no longer exclusively used for intercity trains with higher priority over Class 2's. They can be used to denote a different calling pattern, and like Class 9's, just to signal something different and highlight the fact to the signallers.

Class 3's are typically used for higher priority empties as Class 5's can be treated quite "unfavourably" at times, so to speak, but again it can be used to emphasise something different.
 

Bald Rick

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Mainly on the Wessex route it has been used to indicate a train with special operating characteristics - before the Waterloo works in 2017 the main suburban 10 car trains ran as class 9 (and ecs class 3) to indicate they had to be in platform 5 or higher and more recently the class 442 ran as class 9 because of restrictions on their routing

SWT also use Class 9 to indicate trains off the Guildford New Line that are due to go fast line from Surbiton.

Certain ECS workings are 3's as well

Around Leeds the 0705 Neville Hill to Harrogate is 3C15

Most if not all the LNER morning ECS's from Neville Hill to Bradford, Skipton, Harrogate & Lincoln are 3's as well.

Class 3 has a specific designation as ECS that is used to form a passenger train as its next working, where timing is critical. Not every operator does this, and those that do tend to do so for longer distance ECS that are patched through congested areas.
 

theironroad

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SWT also use Class 9 to indicate trains off the Guildford New Line that are due to go fast line from Surbiton.
Do they?
The Pompey to waterlo trains that go via the new line and cross onto the fast at Hampton court junction use 1Gxx and the same vv.

Leaving aside 442s that were using 9Pxx/9Bxx , I'm not sure any SWR services currently use class 9 .

Happy to be shown otherwise though....
 

Bald Rick

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Do they?
The Pompey to waterlo trains that go via the new line and cross onto the fast at Hampton court junction use 1Gxx and the same vv.

Leaving aside 442s that were using 9Pxx/9Bxx , I'm not sure any SWR services currently use class 9 .

Happy to be shown otherwise though....

Well I stand corrected. Apologies. They certainly used to do. But a quick check shows that they now don’t! It must have changed in the last timetable. This was the new line services starting at Guildford, but they are now 2G9x. You are right that the Pompey via New Line was (and is) a 1Gxx.
 

LAX54

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More and more TOCs seem not to use Class 1 / Class 2 to indicate fast or slow, over here we have Class 1's that are all stations except Romford, yet a Class 2 will be fast but WILL stop at Romford! Class 9 in theory is where specially authorised, and specific trains eg: Eurostar
 

43055

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More and more TOCs seem not to use Class 1 / Class 2 to indicate fast or slow, over here we have Class 1's that are all stations except Romford, yet a Class 2 will be fast but WILL stop at Romford! Class 9 in theory is where specially authorised, and specific trains eg: Eurostar
Same way a all stations EMR Derby to Crewe service is a class 1 but that is more to do with having the right priority at Kidsgrove going towards Stoke and Derby.
 

bb21

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Well I stand corrected. Apologies. They certainly used to do. But a quick check shows that they now don’t! It must have changed in the last timetable. This was the new line services starting at Guildford, but they are now 2G9x. You are right that the Pompey via New Line was (and is) a 1Gxx.
I think the confusion arose as they used to be 9G9x for the reason of being 10-car and signaller clarity at Waterloo rather than other parts of the network.
 

87015

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1/2/9 are largely all entirely at TOC preference and make little difference to anything. Regulation policies now unlikely to be by “class”. All in largely a nonsense on today’s railway / STP it can be whatever the planner’s mood dictates
 

Bald Rick

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I remember a serious proposal about 10 years ago to reclassify the first digit into something much more sensible; instead of having just 3 classes for passenger trains (of which #9 was rarely used back then), and 7 classes for non passenger trains, a couple of which were used rarely, it was to be rebalanced with I think about 6 classes for passenger trains. Unfortunately I can’t remember the precise details.
 

Sunset route

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I remember a serious proposal about 10 years ago to reclassify the first digit into something much more sensible; instead of having just 3 classes for passenger trains (of which #9 was rarely used back then), and 7 classes for non passenger trains, a couple of which were used rarely, it was to be rebalanced with I think about 6 classes for passenger trains. Unfortunately I can’t remember the precise details.

I’m sure from the briefing we had
New classifications if they were to go ahead was something like this

Class 1s VHST (above 125mph)
Class 2s HST (up to 125mph)
Class 3s Express trains
Class 4s Local trains
Class 5s inner city metros aka London Overground, Mersey Electrics etc etc
Class 6s ECS
Class 7s Fast Freight
Class 8s medium Freight
Class 9s slow Freight
Class 0s Light Engines
 
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