9xxx headcodes

[sjoh]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered elsewhere but I cannot for the life of me find it, so:

I note that headcodes starting 9xxx are VT Voyager ("priority"!? what does that even mean?) and Eurostar moves. Why do VT use this?

Secondly, I note that these headcodes only seem to be used on the xx: x3 services to/via Birmingham, and are sometimes shown alongside a 1xxx headcode working what appears to be the same service, with the 9xxx headcode demarking that service's extension - i.e. shrewsbury, edinburgh or glasgow. Why is this? Why do these services effectively seem to have two headcodes? Example here.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Nothing to do with Voyagers specifically, Pendolinos use them too.
It designates Scotland-Preston-Birmingham-Euston services, to distinguish them from the Glasgow-Preston-Trent Valley-Euston direct services.
Essentially it means "VT via Birmingham" on the WCML.

Eurostar also uses 9xxx headcodes to match the train numbering systems in France and Belgium.
9xxx used to mean the lowest quality of unfitted freight in early BR days.
They no longer exist, so the "9" prefix has been recycled.

 

[carriageline]

London Overground (ELL at least) use 9*** head codes, which are massively helpful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ianno87]

9xxx also used for:
London Overground East London Line services
SWT suburban services that are 10-car rather than the usual 8-car
Greater Anglia have started using them in disruption on the West Anglia to denote services running significantly late with an amended calling pattern to get back on time again,

 

[Bigfoot]

SWT use 9xxx to distinguish between 10 and 8 coach suburban services so the signallers know these sets will not fit into the 8 coach platforms at Waterloo.

 

[PHILIPE]

They are basically a "type of reminder" to signallers to identify particular categories of trains which may go against the norm. Any GWR 153 working to Southampton is classified as a Class 9 to highlight they cannot use platform 3 at Salisbury. This is supposed to be a problem to be "fixed" but after some Engineering work, Network Rail managed to render the route out of gauge for 153s.

 

[Expression357]

9xxx headcodes are also used on c2c to signify services booked to run via the GEML. This is to prevent wrong routings at Barking/Forest Gate Junction, and help avoid head code clashes with StanEx services.

This improves regulation of services, avoiding clashes with the Class 2 Crossrail stopping services between Stratford and Forest Gate.

 

[sjoh]

All makes sense. What do we make of the fact that some services seem to have two headcodes?

For instance 9J17 and 1Z17 are clearly the same service as far as Birmingham NS. If this is due to portion working why is it not handled in the same way that other splits/joins are? i.e. this Northern service to Blackpool and Windermere.

 

[TheEdge]

Greater Anglia have started using them in disruption on the West Anglia to denote services running significantly late with an amended calling pattern to get back on time again,

Not quite, GA use the 9xxx headcodes when they've cancelled a disupted train and run a late replacement normally using the same stopping pattern and its used all over GA. When the GEML goes wrong you'll see plenty of 9Pxx services. Although they will often use xGxx headcodes for control specials during disruption.

 

[The Planner]

All makes sense. What do we make of the fact that some services seem to have two headcodes?

For instance 9J17 and 1Z17 are clearly the same service as far as Birmingham NS. If this is due to portion working why is it not handled in the same way that other splits/joins are? i.e. this Northern service to Blackpool and Windermere.

Can see it as an aid to New St, means they can juggle its platform with having to worry about keeping another end clear for the split or joining set.

 

[sjoh]

What does that show up like to signallers along the route though? I'd have thought at a quick glance it'd appear to be two different trains? Unless I assume only one of the headcodes is actually used in practice? Or am I misunderstanding what you mean?

 

[causton]

What does that show up like to signallers along the route though? I'd have thought at a quick glance it'd appear to be two different trains? Unless I assume only one of the headcodes is actually used in practice? Or am I misunderstanding what you mean?

1Z17 is never used or shown on the maps anywhere, once or twice it made it onto the CIS screens on the day (i.e. 10:37 Shrewsbury On Time, 10:37 Birmingham New Street Cancelled) but I think... My best guess is that it is a seperate schedule for the rear portion of the Voyager to input into its' internal system? I am not really sure.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

All makes sense. What do we make of the fact that some services seem to have two headcodes?
For instance 9J17 and 1Z17 are clearly the same service as far as Birmingham NS. If this is due to portion working why is it not handled in the same way that other splits/joins are? i.e. this Northern service to Blackpool and Windermere.

I think the 1Zxx headcode is a reserve headcode in case of disruption, causing the train to be split or turned round early to pick up another diagram.
You can see the same on some Euston-Chester-Holyhead workings.
On the day, the 1Zxx will not run if everything is working normally, but is invoked if there is disruption.

 

[Melancholia]

9xxx is also used on Cardiff - Portsmouth (and other similar routes) GWR when part or all of the train is a Class 153. This is due to 153s being unable to go through some platforms (not sure which) without ripping them apart.

 

[RJ21]

I have only ever seen xZxx used with disruption, I've seen 2Zxx used on the Adwick - Manchester service when the service has run from Adwick to Sheffield and then been cancelled beyond there but with another unit running in the original path beyond Sheffield to Manchester.

 

[greaterwest]

9xxx is also used on Cardiff - Portsmouth (and other similar routes) GWR when part or all of the train is a Class 153. This is due to 153s being unable to go through some platforms (not sure which) without ripping them apart.

A class 153 becomes a "class 9" train if it passes through Salisbury, due to one of the platforms being too curved.

 

[HA25322]

The 1Zxx is actually an internal head code purely for seat res for passenger just to the station where the service splits to ensure that the people are sat in the correct portion of the train.

 

[The Planner]

That sounds odd, as the 1Z could quite easily get called in TRUST if either portion failed to matrialise. I cant see Virgin splitting Birmingham reservations for the front or rear set?

 

[PHILIPE]

9xxx is also used on Cardiff - Portsmouth (and other similar routes) GWR when part or all of the train is a Class 153. This is due to 153s being unable to go through some platforms (not sure which) without ripping them apart.

See post #6. The restriction is at Salisbury and no Cardiff to Portsmouths have a 153 attached whilst passing through Salisbury so these services do not become Class 9s. There are a number of GWR services that terminate Southampton and it is these where a 153 can turn up and become classified as 9xxx

 

[Dhassell]

9xxx is also used on Cardiff - Portsmouth (and other similar routes) GWR when part or all of the train is a Class 153. This is due to 153s being unable to go through some platforms (not sure which) without ripping them apart.

The platforms are one of the ones used at Salisbury, I believe 2.

 

[PHILIPE]

A class 153 becomes a "class 9" train if it passes through Salisbury, due to one of the platforms being too curved.

See Post #6