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[Ian Coop]

Now i have a bit more time I am restarting my trainspotting- dug out my old Ian Allen book for memories.

Bought a new UK Pocket book to start getting numbers, can you tell me in some thing – for example i saw 150273 with carriages 52273 and 57273 which are linked to this in the book am i supposed to spot both and mark off.

Thanks
Ian

 

[TheEdge]

Multiple units have multiple TOPS numbers (TOPS being the system that tracks trains and vehicles by their numbers).

The TOPS number of the unit is 150273 which has two vehicles, each having their own unique number, those are 52267 and 57273. Vehicles in the same class will often (not always) have the same TOPS groups for their constituent vehicles, so Class 150s will be made up of a 52xxx and 57xxx vehicle, the last three numbers will often (again, not always) match the last three of the unit number.

So, if you have seen 150273 you have also seen 52273 and 57273.

It is possible for units to be formed of the wrong vehicles but its very rare.

 

[Ian Coop]

thanks that clears it up

 

[farci]

'Lummy!', said Jennings (or was it Derbyshire?), 'I must get my school cap, wear my Ian Allen Locospotter Badge - blue for Scottish Region - pay 1d for a platform ticket at Glasgow Central and hang around hoping one of those driver chaps will let me on the footplate before they drive off to London!'

Mixed metaphors but an evocative post from Mr Coop. Thanks

 

[oldman]

Evocative indeed. One of those driver chaps at Glasgow Central allowed me (age 9-10) to stand on the running beam of Queen Mary on the Midday Scot so that my dad could take a picture, which ended up on the front cover of Meccano Magazine. No school cap though.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

But what if you only saw one end of 150273 poking out of a shed - would you still be able to mark off both 52273 and 57273?

 

[6Gman]

But what if you only saw one end of 150273 poking out of a shed - would you still be able to mark off both 52273 and 57273?

I was going to make the same point!

Personally I wouldn't - have to see every vehicle to have seen the unit.

 

[03_179]

Or you can download SpotLog onto your Android smart phone and not need a book

 

[PeterC]

It is possible for units to be formed of the wrong vehicles but its very rare.

I don't pay much attention to unit numbers these days but back in the late 70s when I regularly commuted on a 306 it was common to find cars reformed into units which had different numbers at each end.