British Rail locomotive and multiple unit numbering and classification

British Railways, later British Rail (BR ), used different designation schemes for their locomotives and railcars.

Even after the privatization of the state railway apply the new railway companies to the scheme last applicable.

  • 2.1 diesel locomotives
  • 2.2 Electric Locomotives

Designations 1948

With the formation of British Railways in 1948, it was necessary to develop a consistent naming scheme for the acquired and the newly to be acquired vehicles.

Acquired locomotives

The classification of the predecessor companies were taken over unchanged. In addition, they received a numbering that is leaned against the system of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). After and new buildings of the British Railways and Locomotives of smaller railway companies of the predecessor companies were classified according to the types.

Newly acquired diesel and electric locomotives and railcars

The numbering of electric railcar was carried out in each region separately, starting from 001 DMUs were not initially designated uniform. Within individual regions own number systems were introduced later.

To distinguish between the electrically driven vehicle used to a system that has already been used so similar at the LNER. AC locomotives were given the suffix " AL" and AC Railcars the abbreviation "AM " prefix.

The Eastern and North Eastern Region use a similar system to denote the Dieselrangierlokomotiven. Three-axle diesel -electric locomotives were given the symbol " DEJ " three-axle diesel-hydraulic or diesel- mechanical locomotives " DJ " and two-axle diesel- mechanical and diesel-hydraulic locomotives " DY "

1955 we introduced a unified designation system for all diesel locomotives of British Rail. It was based on the format Dx / y

The first number (x ) gave the performance of the locomotives in 100 hp and the second number (y) stand for a particular model. A D1 / 1 indicates, for example, a locomotive with 100 to 199 hp ( 7 kW - 148 kW )

1962 Baureihenbezeichner were changed again.

The Southern Region took over the numbering and naming system of the Southern Railway and led it on.

Designation and numbering system from 1957

By displacing the steam locomotives as well as the progressive procurement of diesel and electric locomotives, it was necessary to introduce a new naming scheme for these vehicles. The new system was introduced but only for diesel locomotives. Previously purchased Dieselrangierlokomotiven were redrawn.

Procured steam and gas turbine locomotives as well as pre-1948 diesel and electric locomotives retained their old name. Some locomotives still got the symbol " D" or "E" before the operation number.

Diesel locomotives

The numbering system was based on the new matched to the engine power of type, was introduced for diesel locomotives.

When renumbering no consideration to earlier numbers was taken. With the decommissioning of the last steam locomotives in August 1968 they removed the sign "D"

Electric locomotives

AC locomotives with a performance from 2000 to 2999 hp received numbers from E2000 to E2999. Locomotives with greater power were ranked in the number range from E3001. The locomotives with a power of 5000 hp received the number range from E3201 upwards.

DC locomotives were given the number range from E5000 and dual power locomotives ( DC Diesel ) received numbers from E6000.

Numbering system from 1973

The late 1960s, British Rail introduced the TOPS computer system. This necessitated a complete renumbering of all vehicles required.

The new system was based on a maximum six-digit number. The first two or three digits gave the class and the last three digits of the serial number. While the locomotives received only a two-digit class ID, this is three digits in the railcars.

Classes were altered in the first digit of the serial number identification. As a separator was used a slash. The subclass 47/3, for example, starts from the number 47,301th

When redrawing the last two numbers of the old labeling have been largely accepted.

The re-drawing of the railcar was preparing major difficulties due to the many vehicles and numbering schemes. So it was necessary that the numbering of the railcars had to be changed again.

To distinguish individual railcar units of the Southern Region used to the following system:

Germany: UIC -FER · DB AG · DB · DR (1945-1993) · DR (1920-1945) Baden · Bavaria · Mecklenburg · Oldenburg · Palatine · Prussia · Saxony · Württemberg · Alsace-Lorraine

Austria: ÖBB BBÖ · · · kkStB KFNB ÖNWB · · SB · · StEG Old Private Companies · Old State Railways

Switzerland: SBB · RhB

Additional railways PKP ČSD · · · ČD ZSR / ZSSK MÁV · · · BDŽ SNCF RENFE · · Portugal · Italy · Norway · Russia / USSR · China

Series schemes: UIC · DR · DB · DR (1945-1993) kkStB / BBÖ · ÖBB SBB PKP Brazil British Rail Japan

  • Train (United Kingdom)
  • Designation system for railway vehicles
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