Finding Coach Numbers

[Sheepyaidan]

Hi All,

To start, I don't know if this is the most appropriate place to put this, but, I recently took up the joy of train spotting, bashing and the like and to aid in my train spotting I have purchased the 'UK Railway Datafile'. I flicked through and saw the mention of marking off the coach stock. My problem is, I only really have the capability of taking down the times of the trains and the specific Unit Number. I went onto Real Time trains and that didn't say anything about the coach numbers. Please could anyone help, because I am quite confused.

Thanks,

--Aidan

 

[455driver]

If it is units you are doing then this site-

http://www.abrail.co.uk/

Will give you the coach numbers of the unit.

If it is loco hauled sets then you will need to write them down at the time, although they are formed into (semi permanent) sets they do tend to have coaches swapped around quite often to suit maintenance requirements.

 

[Sheepyaidan]

If it is units you are doing then this site-

http://www.abrail.co.uk/

Will give you the coach numbers of the unit.

If it is loco hauled sets then you will need to write them down at the time, although they are formed into (semi permanent) sets they do tend to have coaches swapped around quite often to suit maintenance requirements.

Okay... So, if the 444-021 passed which of the three nubmers should i note down?

//Aidan

 

[causton]

Three numbers?

There will be 6 in total.

The unit number, 444021. First three digits for the class, so this is a class 444, sometimes the 4th digit is a certain class e.g. 3501XX are a more regional layout of train with 2+2 seating, compared to the 3502XX which have 3+2 metro-style seating etc etc. (Never hyphenated, some operators put a space or a linebreak between them. And SWT just print. the last 4 digits on the 455s e.g. 5832 is 455832!)

Then the five coaches, one number per coach.

These are: 63821 67121 67171 67221 63871

There is no "should", feel free to note down whatever you like of those six numbers in total! Personally, I just stick with the unit number.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

'Spotting' varies by person, each has their own way of doing things.

The unit 444021 is made up of five vehicles, numbered 63821, 67121, 67171, 67221 and 63871. Of those numbers, I personally would take down only the unit number (the six digit number). For me, the vehicle numbers (the five digit numbers) are just another way of identifying the unit number.

Actual coaching stock (HSTs, 225s, mark 1, mark 2 and mark 3 loco hauled stock) and locomotive numbers have to be taken from each vehicle because you cannot trust them to be in sets (even if they are supposed to be).

I don't bother with noting times or locations because that part of the hobby isn't of interest to me.

 

[455driver]

Units tend to stick to formation so any one will do and then you will be able to look up the rest of the numbers, as Causton has stated, most people just note the unit number which will be written on the cab ends somewhere.

 

[Sheepyaidan]

Three numbers?

There will be 6 in total.

The unit number, 444021. First three digits for the class, so this is a class 444, sometimes the 4th digit is a certain class e.g. 3501XX are a more regional layout of train with 2+2 seating, compared to the 3502XX which have 3+2 metro-style seating etc etc. (Never hyphenated, some operators put a space or a linebreak between them. And SWT just print. the last 4 digits on the 455s e.g. 5832 is 455832!)

Then the five coaches, one number per coach.

These are: 63821 67121 67171 67221 63871

There is no "should", feel free to note down whatever you like of those six numbers in total! Personally, I just stick with the unit number.

Okay. Got it. Just got confused by the codes and then remembered back to my model railway days.

Cheers for both of your help.

//Aidan

 

[causton]

For loco-hauled sets, it can be a bit more complicated.

If you look at the numbers on these trains, you will get for example:
82210 11405 11305 11219 10326 12300 12522 12520
12486 12209 91120

The ones on the end would be the DVT (trailer, but with a driving cab so looks like a loco to the unwary!) and loco. E.g. 82210 and 91120.
All the ones in the middle are the coaches which can be chopped and changed at will as per the depot requirements.

Once again, note down whatever you feel comfortable with. Personally, I just get the ones on the end (82xxx and 91xxx)!

 

[FQ]

For me, I jot down the locos and units, and don't bother with the coaches, but I write them down in different ways according to the class.

Thanks a 70 for example. I saw number 7 at Leamington, so I would write in 70007. Then say I was on the compass tour from Southport to Saltburn with the 40. That wouldn't go down as 345, it would be the original number, 40145. And for the SWT 455s, I would just jot down the front number, so 5832 or 5937.

You can choose what you do, but if you are at Clapham Junction 'spotting' then you might just wasn't to get the front number and when you get home check what the coach numbers for the unit are.

I recommend the platform 5 books.

 

[themiller]

For me, I jot down the locos and units, and don't bother with the coaches, but I write them down in different ways according to the class.

Thanks a 70 for example. I saw number 7 at Leamington, so I would write in 70007. Then say I was on the compass tour from Southport to Saltburn with the 40. That wouldn't go down as 345, it would be the original number, 40145. And for the SWT 455s, I would just jot down the front number, so 5832 or 5937.

You can choose what you do, but if you are at Clapham Junction 'spotting' then you might just wasn't to get the front number and when you get home check what the coach numbers for the unit are.

I recommend the platform 5 books.

As noted above, the Platform 5 books are probably what you need. The hardback volume contains most mainline and light-rail stock. If you take an interest in industrial locos, you'll need something from The Industrial Railway Society. Whatever your interest, enjoy it.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Then say I was on the compass tour from Southport to Saltburn with the 40. That wouldn't go down as 345, it would be the original number, 40145.

*ahem* (D)345 was the original number.

I recommend the platform 5 books.

Completely agree.



As a footnote, when I write the SWT 455s down I add the leading "45" that they should be carrying but don't. Same with the unrefurbished 458s.

 

[cjmillsnun]

*ahem* (D)345 was the original number.



Completely agree.



As a footnote, when I write the SWT 455s down I add the leading "45" that they should be carrying but don't. Same with the unrefurbished 458s.

4 digit numbers is a tradition in the former SR area. I'm kind of sad to see it going.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Depends also how busy the location is where you are spotting. For example at Clapham Junction in the peak, several trains stop/pass through at once which means you need to jot down numbers quickly. For this reason, unit numbers at the front will suffice as these are normally in set four or five car formations.

And yes, +1 on the Platform 5 books

 

[455driver]

Thanks a 70 for example. I saw number 7 at Leamington, so I would write in 70007. Then say I was on the compass tour from Southport to Saltburn with the 40. That wouldn't go down as 345, it would be the original number, 40145

So that would be D345 then!

edit-
Peter beat me to it!