Train reporting number (Australia)
Train reporting numbers are used on Australian railway networks to help network operators coordinate train movements and by other users to identify trains. These numbers are used similarly to airline flight numbers and are important for trains to be able to identify themselves to network controllers and local railway users. These numbers are in addition to other numbers which may be used by train operators for internal train management purposes. Train reporting numbers were originated in the United Kingdom and the Australian system resembles the UK system somewhat, reflecting the descendental development of the Australian rail networks from the UK system. As with all other elements of the Australian rail network however, each state has developed its own numbering system and whilst some share similarities, they are all different numbering systems. Systems generally include an origin and/or destination, though differ in their inclusion of identifiers for operator, up/down, type of train, contents of train and other characteristics of the train.
There have been no significant calls for or movements towards a standardised system to date.
National (ARTC)
The national interstate network is operated by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The ARTC uses a systemwide train reporting number based on letters and numbers to identify trains operating on its network.[1] The train operating number is different depending on the network to which the train is operating, being the Interstate Network, the Heavy Haul (Hunter Valley Coal) Network or the ARTC managed sections of lines within state boundaries (Intrastate Networks). Passenger trains are sometimes numbered differently. Other systems are used for specific circumstances, for example light running engines, maintenance trains, or heritage trains.
Interstate Network Numbering
The Interstate Network is the network that connects all main capital cities. It uses a four character numbering system. This is applied to both freight and passenger trains.
| First Digit (Day of Departure) |
Second Digit (Origin) |
Third Digit (Destination) |
Fourth Digit (Order of Departure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 = Sunday 2 = Monday 3 = Tuesday 4 = Wednesday 5 = Thursday 6 = Friday 7 = Saturday |
A = Adelaide B = Brisbane C = Junee/Cootamundra/Griffith D = Darwin F = Mudgee/Dubbo/Cowra G = Parkes H = Hunter Valley J = Victoria North East K = Victoria North West L = Alice Springs M = Melbourne N = Newcastle O = Fisherman Islands P = Perth Q = Moree R = Port Pirie S = Sydney T = Taree – Murwillumbah V = Goulburn/Moss Vale/Canberra W = NSW South Coast X = Spencer Junction/Port Augusta Y = Whyalla |
A = Adelaide B = Brisbane C = Junee/Cootamundra/Griffith D = Darwin F = Mudgee/Dubbo/Cowra G = Parkes H = Hunter Valley J = Victoria North East K = Victoria North West L = Alice Springs M = Melbourne N = Newcastle O = Fisherman Islands P = Perth Q = Moree R = Port Pirie S = Sydney T = Taree – Murwillumbah V = Goulburn/Moss Vale/Canberra W = NSW South Coast X = Spencer Junction/Port Augusta Y = Whyalla |
Sequentially allocated based on order of departure Number 8 is reserved for passenger services |
Heavy Haul Network Numbering
The Heavy Haul network covers both the Hunter Valley Coal Network and other coal traffic in NSW.
Hunter Valley Coal Network
The Hunter Valley Coal Network is one of the largest haulage networks in Australia. It uses a five character numbering system but with three groupings of numbers to describe the train
| First and Second Digits (Load/Unload point) |
Third and Fourth Digit (Destination) |
Fifth Digit (Loaded Status) |
|---|---|---|
| AH = Ashton AS = Austar AT = Macquarie Generation Antiene BC = Bulga Coal BF = Bloomfield BG = Bengalla BO = Boggabri Coal Loading Loop BW = Mount Arthur CW = Camberwell DK = Dartbrook DR = Drayton DS = Donaldson/Bloomfield DU = Duralie ER = Eraring Power Station GD = Gunnedah HV = Hunter Valley JU = Wambo/United JW = Wambo/Jerry Plains LD = Liddell Power Station MB = Maules Creek MN = Mangoola MO = Mount Owen MP = Mount Pleasant MR = Moolarben MT = Mount Thorley Bin 2 MW = Warkworth Bin 2 NA = Donaldson/Bloomfield (Southern) NB = Narrabri ND = Newdell NM = Macquarie Generation NW = Newstan PW = Port Waratah RB = Muswellbrook RC = Rixs Creek RV = Ravensworth SF = Stratford TB = Teralba UL = Ulan VP = Vales Point Power Station WC = Werris Creek WG = Wilpinjong WH = Whitehaven WK = Warkworth Bin 1 WS = Walsh Point |
100, 200, 300 Series = Hunter Valley services 400, 800 Series = Sydney Trains services 500 Series = Gunnedah Basin services 600 Series = North Coast services 700 Series = Macquarie Generation services |
Odd Number = Empty train Even Number = Loaded Train |
South and West Coal Network
The South and West Coal network are those mines not part of the Hunter Valley network, including those in the Central West and the Illawarra. It uses a slightly different five character numbering system.
| First and Second Digits (Load/Unload point) |
Third and Fourth Digit (Sequential order of Departure) |
Fifth Digit (Loaded Status) |
|---|---|---|
| AR = Airly BB = Baal Bone CA = Clarence CB = Charbon CC = Coal Cliff CG = Cringila BHP IH = Inner Harbour LS = Lidsdale LG = Lithgow MC = Metropolitan Colliery TM = Tahmoor Colliery TL = Thirroul WW = Wallerawang |
From (time) 00:01 to 06:00 - Train numbers between 00 and 25 From 06:01 to 12:00 - Train numbers between 26 and 50 From 12:01 to 18:00 - Train numbers between 51 and 75 From 18:01 to 24:00 - Train numbers between 76 and 99 |
Odd Number = Empty train Even Number = Loaded Train |
Intrastate Network Numbering
The ARTC operates a number of branch lines within state boundaries. These are often standard gauge lines that would otherwise be isolated, or important lines that connect different parts of the ARTC network but that are not part of the Interstate or Heavy Haul networks. Depending on the line, different numbering systems are used depending on the state in which the line is located. These numbering systems are often based on the state system used elsewhere in that state by the state based line operator (for example, the line numbering system used in NSW is similar to the ARTC system used on NSW networks). Refer to the state numbering systems below.
Other Numbering
Other systems are used for specific circumstances, for example passenger trains, light running trains, maintenance trains, heritage trains. These are detailed in the relevant Train Operating Manual, but are consistent with those used in the state numbering systems.
New South Wales
There are two other rail network administrators in New South Wales, being John Holland Group for the Country Regional Network, and Sydney Trains for the metropolitan network bounded by Berowra, Emu Plains, Macarthur and Waterfall.
Country Rail Network
The Country Rail Network numbering system is a continuation of the numbering system developed over time by the various administrators of the network, being mainly the NSW Government or agencies thereof. It is currently managed by John Holland, though numbering remains the property of Transport for New South Wales.[2]
Train numbers on the NSW Country Rail Network use a four number system for freight trains.
| First Digit (Origin) |
Second Digit (Destination) |
Third Digit (Operator) |
Fourth Digit (Up or Down) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 = Sydney Trains Network 2 = Goulburn 3 = Junee 4 = Newcastle 5 = Werris Creek 6 = North Coast 7 = Lithgow – Merrygoen 8 = Orange 9 = Illawarra |
1 = Sydney Trains Network 2 = Goulburn 3 = Junee 4 = Newcastle 5 = Werris Creek 6 = North Coast 7 = Lithgow – Merrygoen 8 = Orange 9 = Illawarra |
00 – 09 = Sydney Trains (Freight) 10 – 19 = Qube Logistics 20 – 39 = Pacific National 40 – 49 = Southern Shorthaul Railroad 50 – 55 = Genesee & Wyoming Australia 56 – 59 = Aurizon 60 – 69 = Qube Logistics 70 – 71 = ARHS ACT Freight 72 – 73 = Pacific National Intermodal 74 – 75 = Not Utilised 76 – 79 = Southern Shorthaul Railroad 80 – 89 = Freightliner Australia 90 – 91 = Sydney Rail Services 92 – 93 = Not Utilised 94 – 95 = Pacific National Intermodal 96 – 99 = Not Utilised |
Odd numbers - Down trains Even numbers - Up trains |
As with the National system, there are specific numbers for passenger trains, heritage trains and maintenance/inspection trains. Interstate trains and coal network trains are numbered as per the National Interstate network numbering above.
Victoria
Weekly Notice 4/77 (25 January 1977) advised that "Train Describer Numbering System" was to be introduced. Originally introduced for all train in the Metrol Controlled area the numbering system spread statewide by 1981. The following is a summary of how the numbering system works. It is a four digit system. All trains in Victoria are allocated a train number for operation of the radio system.[3]
| First Digit (Origin) |
Second Digit (Destination) |
Third and Fourth Digit (Up or Down) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 = City Circle, shunts, docks, light locomotives and any train not described here (see notes) 1 = Epping and Hurstbridge 2 = Alamein and Glen Waverley 3 = Belgrave and Lilydale 4 = Dandenong, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Frankston 5 = Upfield and Broadmeadows 6 = Sydenham, Williamstown and Werribee 7 = Special (used on a day-to-day basis) 8 = Country Passenger Trains 9 = Goods Trains R = Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse X = Sandringham |
Electric trains 0-5 = Flinders Street direct or local shuttle services |
Even numbers = Up or Through trains Odd numbers = Down trains |
Notes
1. Maroona to Portland is Up
2. Through trains sometimes retain their number, e.g.:
9080 - Geelong to Swan Hill via Tottenham
9280 - Swan Hill to Geelong via Tottenham
In this case the 2nd digit is the destination line, so for the journey before Tottenham the train has a different 2nd digit for the corridor it is running on.
3. In addition to the second digit for electric trains indicating weather it runs via the underground loop, it can also be used to work out which line the train runs on (in addition to the first digit telling you what group of lines the train is on).
| Direct | City Loop | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 - 1199 | 1600 - 1799 | Epping |
| 1200 - 1399 | 1800 - 1999 | Hurstbridge |
| 2000 - 2199 | 2600 - 2799 | Glen Waverley |
| 2200 - 2399 | 2800 - 2899 | Alamein |
| 3000 - 3199 | 3600 - 3769 | Belgrave |
| 3200 - 3399 | 3800 - 3999 | Lilydale |
| 3400 - 3499 | 3770 - 3799 | Blackburn |
| 3500 - 3599 | Empty Cars, Lilydale and Belgrave | |
| 4000 - 4099 | 4600 - 4699 | Pakenham |
| 4100 - 4199 | 4700 - 4799 | Cranbourne |
| 4200 - 4249 | Pakenham (shuttles) | |
| 4250 - 4299 | Cranbourne (shuttles) | |
| 4300 - 4399 | 4800 - 4899 | Frankston |
| 4450 - 4499 | Empty Cars, Cranbourne and Pakenham | |
| 4500 - 4599 | Empty Cars, Frankston and locals | |
| 5000 - 5199 | 5600 - 5799 | Broadmeadows |
| 5200 - 5399 | 5800 - 5999 | Upfield |
| 6000 - 6099 | 6600 - 6799 | Sydenham |
| 6200 - 6399 | Williamstown (shuttles) | |
| 6400 - 6499 | 6800 - 6999 | Werribee |
4. The following special train numbers are used in certain circmstances
0000 - 0000 Movements not described
0001 - 0100 Light Locomotives
0101 - 0150 Light Locomotives to/from West Tower via Engine Flyover
0151 - 0199 Light Locomotives to/from West Tower -undescribed
0200 - 0239 Special Country Trains in suburban area (used on day-to-day basis)
0240 - 0499 Pilots in the Spencer Street Area
0500 - 0599 Light locos (in connection with metropolitan freight train movements)
0601 - 0699 Docks and shunts at out stations
0700 - 0799 City Circle (anti clockwise)
0800 - 0899 City Circle (clockwise)
0900 - 0999 Standby Trains
South Australia/Northern Territory
The Adelaide–Darwin railway and South Australian branch lines are administered by Genesee & Wyoming Australia. For the Adelaide–Darwin Railway the numbering system used resembles the ARTC numbering system, however there are differences in some of the lettering conventions.[4]
| First Digit (Day of Departure) |
Second Digit (Origin) |
Third Digit (Destination) |
Fourth Digit (Order of Departure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 = Sunday 2 = Monday 3 = Tuesday 4 = Wednesday 5 = Thursday 6 = Friday 7 = Saturday |
A = Adelaide D = Darwin H = Katherine L = Alice Springs T = Tennant Creek |
A = Adelaide D = Darwin H = Katherine L = Alice Springs T = Tennant Creek |
Sequentially allocated based on order of departure |
Branch lines are numbered in a manner consistent with the Victorian and NSW Intrastate train numbering systems.[1]
| First Digit (Origin) |
Second Digit (Destination) |
Third Digit (Filler digit) |
Fourth Digit (Up or Down) |
Fifth Digit (South Australia only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 = Dry Creek to Keswick, Pelican Point 2 = Beyond Keswick to SA border with Victoria 3 = All branch lines south of the Broken Hill line 4 = Beyond Dry Creek to Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Spencer Junction 5 = Crystal Brook East Junction to Broken Hill 6 = Beyond Spencer Junction to Whyalla 7 = All branch lines north of the Broken Hill line and east of the Darwin line 8 = Beyond Spencer Junction to SA border on line to Perth 9 = Beyond Tarcoola to SA border on line to Darwin |
1 = Dry Creek to Keswick, Pelican Point 2 = Beyond Keswick to SA border with Victoria 3 = All branch lines south of the Broken Hill line 4 = Beyond Dry Creek to Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Spencer Junction 5 = Crystal Brook East Junction to Broken Hill 6 = Beyond Spencer Junction to Whyalla 7 = All branch lines north of the Broken Hill line and east of the Darwin line 8 = Beyond Spencer Junction to SA border on line to Perth 9 = Beyond Tarcoola to SA border on line to Darwin |
Any number not yet used | Odd numbers = Down trains Even numbers = Up trains |
S = Train operating in South Australia only |
Queensland
The Queensland Rail train numbering system, in its present format, has been in use since the late 1970s. The first version was very limited. Mainly numeric but the letters A to F were used in the Brisbane Suburban Area (BSA) for second character only. Since then, it has grown to a very complex system that describes a train in great detail. With today’s train numbering system, it is possible to know a great level of detail about the train, for example what is hauling it, how fast it can go, where it is going and in the case of EMUs, how many cars long. It is the most detailed numbering system in use in Australia.
With the exception of suburban passenger traffic, all trains are provided with a second identification, known as a “service” number. In most cases, the service number is the last 3 characters of the “Train” number with an alpha suffix that identifies the business group to which the train belongs (e.g. Q301/301T – ‘T’ = Traveltrain). At present, control software does not support the use of five character train numbers. When complete, the service number will disappear and five character train numbers will be introduced. Some train numbers you might hear might be – 1119C, 0FB9Z, C742X, 9Y32M or M594H. The below is a character by character description of the QR Train Numbering system.[5]
| First Digit (Type of Train) |
Second Digit (Destination) |
Third Digit (Additional train information) |
Fourth Digit (Up or Down) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 = Diesel-hauled Infrastructure Work Train 1 = 6 car EMU, SMU or HS/SMU in revenue service 2 = EMU/SMU/IMU/ICE empty cars (any length) 3 = Diesel-hauled passenger train in revenue service; max 80 km/h 4 = Diesel-hauled empty coaches 5 = Railmotor in revenue service 6 = Diesel-hauled freight train; max speed 80 km/h 7 = Diesel-hauled freight train; max speed 60 km/h 8 = Diesel-hauled freight train; max speed 100 km/h 9 = Diesel-hauled unit mineral train A = Electric-hauled passenger train in revenue service; max 100 km/h B = Electric-hauled empty coaches C = Electric-hauled freight train; max speed 80 km/h D = Electric-hauled freight train; max speed 60 km/h E = Electric-hauled unit mineral train F = Electric-hauled freight train; max speed 100 km/h G = Electric light engine H = Electric hauled or EMU departmental work train, tuition or test train I = (Not to be used) – Too similar to ‘1’ J = 3-car EMU, SMU or HS/SMU in revenue service K = Standard Gauge train L = Diesel light engine(s) M = Steam-hauled passenger train in revenue service N = Non-Revenue railmotor O = (Not to be used) – Too similar to ‘0’ P = Diesel-hauled passenger train in revenue service; max 100 km/h Q = Electric Tilt Train (empty or in revenue service) R = Steam light engine or empty cars S = Diesel yard shunt engine T = 6-car IMU in revenue service U = 3-car IMU in revenue service U = Electric-hauled Coal Services (Pacific National) V = Diesel Tilt Train (empty or in revenue service) W = - redundant - X = ICE or ICE/EMU in revenue service (any length) Y = 2800 class loco hauled freight south of Rockhampton.; max 100 km/h – see Note 3 Z = On Track Vehicle(s) and some Hi-rail vehicle(s) |
General/Statewide
0 = Bowen Hills/Mayne Area Suburban 1 = Caboolture line Brisbane Freight 7 = Moolabin/Clapham/Acacia Ridge Tourist Railways Q = Mary Valley Branch Brisbane Coal System B = Box Flat Mine Bowen Coal System A = Abbot Point Gladstone Coal System B = Curragh Gladstone Limestone Traffic E = East End Mackay Coal System 1 = Saraji |
Mainly part of the trains actual number but in many cases, the 3rd character is used to supply additional information on the train. If the 3rd character is numeric, there is no additional information. 3rd character alpha codes are not found in any manual or text book. They are usually locally agreed characters and can vary in different parts of the state. The following are some of the known codes
Pacific National Queensland Pacific National Queensland freight trains use ‘P’ as the third character in the train ID to signify which trains they are operating (e.g. 8CP1) Brisbane district (NOTE – ‘a’ = Alpha, ‘n’ = numeric, ‘x’ = alpha/numeric. All descriptions have examples, except “work trains”.) Work trains: Suburban: With the new timetable, third character alpha’s are just a continuation of the numerals (IE: 0,1, 2 -> 8, 9, A, B etc. EG: 4 successive Airport trains might be TP97, 1P99, TPA1, 1PA3 etc.). Gladstone coal system Boonal Loop: EInn – Jellinbah coal (EI21) EIYn – Yarrabee coal (EIY5) Rockhampton district 63Rn: Livestock trains from Gracemere to Rockhampton (63R1) Livestock train Livestock trains are represented by either a C, N or S as the third digit. These represent the sector of the state the livestock originated from:- |
The 4th character is always numeric. In most cases, an odd 4th character is a Down Train, even for Up trains. However see Note 2. |
Notes:
1. Where the 2nd character is ‘F’ (Various destinations), the 4th character can be odd or even, irrespective of direction. This is usually for “trip shunts” (7F30) and work trains (0FB9).
2. In the Brisbane Suburban Area (BSA), if a freight train changes direction to complete its journey, the Train Number assigned when the train entered the BSA is retained. (e.g. 6749 Toowoomba – Acacia Ridge freight travels in the Down direction from Toowoomba to Yeerongpilly thence in the Up direction to Acacia Ridge. The odd number is retained).
3. 2800 class locomotives are “Out of Dimension of Standard Transit (ODST – outside the rollingstock gauge) which is why they have a separate train ID. Oddly enough, if a train is not hauled by a 2800 class, but has one as a vehicle in tow, then the applicable train number is used (6, 7, 8, C, D, F) and an OOG Authority is generated for that train.
4. Boonal loadout serves two mines. See “3rd Character” for train number differentiation.
5. With coal and BSA suburban traffic, trains are usually numbered progressively starting from either xxx1 (Down) or xxx2 (Up) at midnight each day. For all other traffic, there is no real pattern to numbering.
See also
References
- 1 2 Train Numbering Australian Rail Track Corporation
- ↑ Standard Working Timetables John Holland Country Regional Network
- ↑ Victorian Train Numbering Vicsig
- ↑ GWA Service Schedules Genesee & Wyoming Australia
- ↑ Train Numbering Guide Queensland Railway’s Interest Group