British Rail Classification Numbers....

[monkey]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been discussed before if it's a stupid question, but was wondering how are the rolling stock classified? as in how is it decided what number they get eg. why is the class 180, given that designation?

if anyone has a link which explains that, if that's easiar then please fire away...

 

[starrymarkb]

I think the class numbers are issued centrally by ORR or a similar clearing house. They have to ensure there is no clash either between locos and units etc

Out of interest does UK stock have UIC numbers? (not neccesarily carried)

 

[asylumxl]

It's a code system, I'm not a specialist but I believe for entire units they compromise a 6 digit number:

0000xx = Locomotive
0001xx = DMU
0002xx = DEMU
0003xx = OHLE (and Dual Voltage) EMU
0004xx = Southern Region 3rd Rail EMUs

Aslong as the Class number isn't taken the I'd assume it's a free for all.

Then carriages also have numbers, but I don't know them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_locomotive_and_multiple_unit_numbering_and_classification

Check this link out.

 

[starrymarkb]

Aslong as the Class number isn't taken the I'd assume it's a free for all.

Not so. EWS ordered Class 61s - when told that would mean they would have to pay for a LOT of EMU vehicles to be renumbered they moved to a range clear of units - Class 66.

Class 70 is so for the same reason....

The 57 subclasses go /0 /3 and /6 because they would clash with Sprinters (571xx, 572xxx are in 150s, 5735x are class 153s, 574xx are in 156s and 577xx, 8xx and 9xx are in the 158/159 fleet)

It is possible to reuse a vehicle/locos number 5 years after it being de-registered

 

[90019]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been discussed before if it's a stupid question, but was wondering how are the rolling stock classified? as in how is it decided what number they get eg. why is the class 180, given that designation?

if anyone has a link which explains that, if that's easiar then please fire away...

001-069 are diesel locos
070-079 are diesel-electric or DC electric locos
080-096 are AC electric locos
097 are departmental locomotives
100-199 are DMUs
200-299 are DEMUs
300-399 are AC or dual voltage EMUs
400-499 are DC EMUs
920-960 (IIRC) are the departmental MUs

I'm not sure why they're given the specific numbers they are though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_locomotive_and_multiple_unit_numbering_and_classification

In retrospect, I really should've checked that first

Also, missed out steam locos and ships, apparently.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh, also, preserved locos that are mainline certified are class 89, IIRC.

 

[monkey]

...so what about when we run out of numbers for new classes? or am I missing something...

 

[90019]

...so what about when we run out of numbers for new classes? or am I missing something...

That's something I've been wondering about.

 

[MCR247]

When new stock gets built, old stock will get scrapped and wont be used. So if were still using the current numbering system in 50 years, we might have a 321, 321, 170, 159, 168 etc

 

[eastwestdivide]

Don't forget there was also classes 501-506, which were a motley collection of non-Southern DC EMUs, followed by 507 for Merseyside and 508 (a bit of an anomaly) which were like the 507 but originally for the Southern. Why the 508 didn't become a 4xx is a good question.

 

[43021HST]

001-069 are diesel locos
070-079 are diesel-electric or DC electric locos
080-096 are AC electric locos
097 are departmental locomotives
100-199 are DMUs
200-299 are DEMUs
300-399 are AC or dual voltage EMUs
400-499 are DC EMUs
920-960 (IIRC) are the departmental MUs

I'm not sure why they're given the specific numbers they are though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


In retrospect, I really should've checked that first

Also, missed out steam locos and ships, apparently.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh, also, preserved locos that are mainline certified are class 89, IIRC.

I think that the amount of power they have also has something to do with it reguarding the diesels. I dont know about the rest of them

 

[BlythPower]

I've always wondered why the DC only class 376 isn't class 476. Are they capable of being retro-fitted for AC?

 

[johnb]

Yes (see the panto-shaped bump in the roof), although apparently it's not as easy as for 377/1s or 378/1s due to the positioning of various bits of electrical equipment. The 377s just need a panto and a transformer installing, whereas a 376 has other things in that space.

I don't understand why it's a different rule for 376s and 450s, though.

 

[The Engineer]

Don't forget there was also classes 501-506, which were a motley collection of non-Southern DC EMUs, followed by 507 for Merseyside and 508 (a bit of an anomaly) which were like the 507 but originally for the Southern. Why the 508 didn't become a 4xx is a good question.

508s were built as 4-car units with movement to MerseyRail as 3-car units in mind at the time. Hence they were not 4xx series units. They were only "loaned" to the Southern Region as a "stop-gap" to replace aged 4-SUB units until sufficient Class 455's were delivered. The extra coach was taken out of the 508s on movement to MerseyRail and put into new Class 455's - despite the totally different profile!!

On MerseyRail, the Class 507's were built to replace the Class 502 (Southport)units though they were insufficient given the new services to Kirkby and Garston. The Class 508's then replaced the Clas 503 Wirral units.

The late delivery of Class 508s to replace 503s meant that the 503's had to be life extended and have cab centre doors added as an escape means for single tunnel regulations!

 

[Turbostar]

Am I correct in thinking then, that the new Freightliner locos can't be classed as Class 70, as this comes under DC electric locos & electro-diesel locos, & these new locos are obviously diesel-electric locos? The nearest I can see that these new locos could possibly be is either 68 or 69. :???:

 

[mallard]

Is it still correct terminology to refer to them as "British Rail class x", even for classes that were never operated by BR?

 

[MCR247]

Am I correct in thinking then, that the new Freightliner locos can't be classed as Class 70, as this comes under DC electric locos & electro-diesel locos, & these new locos are obviously diesel-electric locos? The nearest I can see that these new locos could possibly be is either 68 or 69. :???:

The powerhaul locos are Clas 70s as the old ones have been scrapped and arent on the system. See this:

It is possible to reuse a vehicle/locos number 5 years after it being de-registered

68xxx is used up by EMU vehicles, namely pendolinos

 

[rww100]

Is it still correct terminology to refer to them as "British Rail class x", even for classes that were never operated by BR?

Not really, but people still clearly understand what you are referring to.

If you got this idea, from wikipedia, it is correct as 'British Rail Class xxx' on there due to their policy on consistency. Just 'Class xxx' is too ambiguous so 'British Rail Class xxx' is the best compromise even though there are many classes built after the time of BR.

 

[mbonwick]

The powerhaul locos are Clas 70s as the old ones have been scrapped and arent on the system. See this:

Plus the fact that TOPS Class 70, although allocated when TOPS was first introduced, was never used as all vehicles had been scrapped by then.

 

[Helvellyn]

If you go to this link you can get an explanation of the LHCS numbering system was broken down, including the insertion of the Mark III/IV stock into the system and the 1980s renumberings of certain types.

DMU and EMU vehicles are a lot more complicated. Since privatisation some semblance of a choherent number series has been retained for the DMUs introduced. EMUs however seem to have become more random.

For EMUs, as a rule of thumb: -

• 61000-63999 were centre motor vehicles (plus 313/411/412 and some 414/415/416 DM vehicles)
• 64000-65999 were driving motor vehicles
• 68000-68999 were parcels vehicles (lower numbers generally been purpose built, and motor vehicles to boot)
• 69000-69999 were trailer vehicles with catering facilities
• 70000-72999 were trailer vehicles
• 75000-77999 were driving trailer vehicles

After privatisation the distinction in numbering trailer and motor vehicles in separate number series seems to have died (e.g. a lot of Desiro vehicles are all numbered in the 6xxxx series; Electrostar stock in the 7xxxx series).