4-character Train Reporting Numbers
Position 1
The first position indicated the classification of the train. These values were revised in 1969, and these new values are shown below:
Train Classifications
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Light locomotive. light locomotives coupled, or locomotive with brake tenders. |
| 1 | Express passenger train, postal train, newspaper train or breakdown train or snow plough going to clear the line, or light locomotive going to assist disabled train. |
| 2 | Ordinary passenger train, mixed train, or breakdown train or snow plough not going to clear the line. |
| 3 | Express parcels train composed of vehicles permitted to run at 90 mph or over. |
| 4 | Freightliner train. |
| 5 | Empty coaching stock train (not specially authorised to carry Class 1 headcode). |
| 6 | (a) Fully-fitted Company or block train, parcels or milk train. |
| 7 | Express freight train, not fully-fitted but with brake force not less than that shown in Section E of the Working Manual for Rail Staff. |
| 8 | Freight train, not fully-fitted but with brake force not less than that shown in Section E of the Working Manual for Rail Staff. |
| 9 | Unfitted freight train (where specially authorised). |