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Class 9 headcodes on the ECML and WCML

F

Flying Scott

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I apologise in advance if this has been asked before. I have been looking at the Working Timetable for both the ECML and WCML and have noticed that some workings run under Class 9 headcodes instead of Class 1. For example:

On the ECML, TransPennine Express run services to/from Edinburgh as Class 9, with Class 9 to Liverpool Lime St. but Class 1 from there.

On the WCML, some Avanti West Coast services run as Class 9 whereas others run as Class 1. I have noticed that both 9 and 11 car sets could run under either, rather than being specific such as Class 9 for 11-car sets for instance.

I know there will be other examples elsewhere on the rail network, but the above are what I am aware of.

Could anyone tell me why some services run under Class 9 as opposed to Class 1, please? Could anyone also tell me if there is a reason why TPE run as Class 9 to Liverpool and Class 1 from Liverpool, rather than one type in both directions, please?

Thank you in advance.
 
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JonathanH

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Flying Scott said:
On the WCML, some Avanti West Coast services run as Class 9 whereas others run as Class 1.
Click to expand...
It is used for services which go via Birmingham instead of the Trent Valley. Essentially this distinguishes '1Sxx' and '1Mxx' services via the Trent Valley and '9Sxx' and '9Mxx' services via Birmingham.

Flying Scott said:
Could anyone also tell me if there is a reason why TPE run as Class 9 to Liverpool and Class 1 from Liverpool, rather than one type in both directions, please?
Click to expand...
A legacy of when the class 9 services were Liverpool to Edinburgh via Newcastle, and the class 1 services were Manchester Airport and Newcastle, but are now combined using bits of both paths.
 
hexagon789

hexagon789

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Flying Scott said:
I apologise in advance if this has been asked before. I have been looking at the Working Timetable for both the ECML and WCML and have noticed that some workings run under Class 9 headcodes instead of Class 1. For example:

On the ECML, TransPennine Express run services to/from Edinburgh as Class 9, with Class 9 to Liverpool Lime St. but Class 1 from there.

On the WCML, some Avanti West Coast services run as Class 9 whereas others run as Class 1. I have noticed that both 9 and 11 car sets could run under either, rather than being specific such as Class 9 for 11-car sets for instance.

I know there will be other examples elsewhere on the rail network, but the above are what I am aware of.

Could anyone tell me why some services run under Class 9 as opposed to Class 1, please? Could anyone also tell me if there is a reason why TPE run as Class 9 to Liverpool and Class 1 from Liverpool, rather than one type in both directions, please?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
9 on the WCML is to differentiate Anglo-Scottish services running via Birmingham rather than the Trent Valley.

9 on the ECML is for TPEs to indicate different a priority status.
 
Scotrail314209

Scotrail314209

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I believe that ‘9’ is also used on the ECML to help distinguish Thameslink services bound for the core from other traffic into King’s Cross.
 
F

Flying Scott

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Thank you everyone for your replies as they have been most helpful and I really appreciate it.
 
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jon0844

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Class 9 headcodes are usually given priority on the ECML over everything else, including late IC services.
 
dk1

dk1

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Class 9s return to the GEML from June with the 08:00up and 17:00dn SX.
 
ac6000cw

ac6000cw

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Scotrail314209 said:
I believe that ‘9’ is also used on the ECML to help distinguish Thameslink services bound for the core from other traffic into King’s Cross.
Click to expand...
Correct - AIUI, it's important to try and keep the TL services through the core on time and in the correct order, otherwise they can create and propagate delays over a large area north and south of the Thames.
 
8

800001

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jon0844 said:
Class 9 headcodes are usually given priority on the ECML over everything else, including late IC services.
Click to expand...
For Thameslink yes at Woolmer Green heading south.

For TPE as other have mentioned it was more to indicate it was a Liverpool to Newcastle, not to do with priority.
 
F

Flying Scott

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Thank you for your replies and additional information. You have been most helpful.

I can see why different classes are used to help identify trains that use different paths, especially for long distance and TL services through the core, which if out of path could cause all sorts of problems further afield.

james_the_xv said:
The specific usage of Class 9 headcodes is detailed in the Timetable Planning Rules for the relevant route as well.
Click to expand...
Thank you @james_the_xv, I knew I had seen them in a NR document somewhere, so I will take a look at the TPRs.
 
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zwk500

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Flying Scott said:
I know there will be other examples elsewhere on the rail network, but the above are what I am aware of.

Could anyone tell me why some services run under Class 9 as opposed to Class 1, please?
Click to expand...
Class 9s also operate rather than class 2 on the East London Line, and all Eurostar trains are Class 9, including ECS moves which would normally be Class 5 (9Sxx to/from Temple Mills Depot, 9Oxx to/from Paris and 9Ixx to/from Brussels and beyond)
Flying Scott said:
I knew I had seen them in a NR document somewhere, so I will take a look at the TPRs.
Click to expand...
According to the 2025 V3 rules:
All regions include 'or other passenger service as specially authorised'
Anglia and Scotland In spoilers to avoid very long post.

Anglia:
- Thameslink services to or from St Pancras Low Level and beyond
- MTR Elizabeth Line services through the Crossrail Central Operating Section
- GA Norwich in 90 services
- GA services between Stratford and Meridian Water via LVR
- c2c services to/from London Liverpool Street
- A train formed of a Class 373 unit.
- Passenger services for East London line
East Mids: Thameslinks with most letters.
Kent: Class 373 or Class 374 train; or London Overground East London Line services and Thameslink services; or Other passenger train if specially authorized
LNE: Thameslink services including to / from King’s Cross, TPE Liverpool Lime Street – Newcastle and Newcastle – Edinburgh services
LNW: Anglo-Scottish Avanti West Coast train services via the West Midlands. Anglo-Scottish Transpennine Express train services to/from Liverpool via Huddersfield and York
Scotland:
9Mxx Glasgow Central and Edinburgh to locations on the NW&C region via the West Coast Mainline and Birmingham New Street
9Mxx Edinburgh to Liverpool Lime Street via Newcastle
9Nxx Edinburgh to Newcastle (TPE services)
9Pxx Edinburgh to Manchester Airport via Newcastle
9Sxx London Euston to Edinburgh & Glasgow Central via West Coast Mainline and Birmingham New Street
9Sxx Liverpool Lime Street or Manchester stations to Edinburgh via Newcastle
Western & Wales: Elizabeth Line
Wessex: East London Line and Thameslink
 
B

Boodiggy

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MK
Flying Scott said:
I apologise in advance if this has been asked before. I have been looking at the Working Timetable for both the ECML and WCML and have noticed that some workings run under Class 9 headcodes instead of Class 1. For example:

On the ECML, TransPennine Express run services to/from Edinburgh as Class 9, with Class 9 to Liverpool Lime St. but Class 1 from there.

On the WCML, some Avanti West Coast services run as Class 9 whereas others run as Class 1. I have noticed that both 9 and 11 car sets could run under either, rather than being specific such as Class 9 for 11-car sets for instance.

I know there will be other examples elsewhere on the rail network, but the above are what I am aware of.

Could anyone tell me why some services run under Class 9 as opposed to Class 1, please? Could anyone also tell me if there is a reason why TPE run as Class 9 to Liverpool and Class 1 from Liverpool, rather than one type in both directions, please?

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
The class 9s on the WCML were initially introduced as there was not enough class 1 headcodes available at New Street and the surrounding area.
Happy coincidence it helped them be identified more easily at Rugby and Stafford.
 
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