Head Codes

Originally British Railways classed trains using alphabetic codes, but in 1962 a change was made to using a numeric system and the groupings were re-arranged. Both systems used head lamp or disc positions to show the class of train. In 1962 BR also introduced the 4-digit head code still used today though, since January 1976, these are no longer displayed on the front of trains.

Shunting headcode In many books a picture will be found of a shunting engine with the caption stating it is carrying an express headcode. Almost certainly it will, in fact, be carrying lights to obey Rule 123 which stated:
'Engines employed exclusively in shunting at stations and yards must, after sunset or during fog or falling snow, carry one red and one white light, both at the front and rear, one over each buffer.'

 

Alphabetic Codes (1960 BR General Appendix)

Engine Head Lamps / Discs
  • The code was displayed using white lights or discs.
  • When a train was double headed only the leading locomotive carried headlamps or discs.
  • These headcodes did not apply on the Southern Region, which used head codes to indicate routes rather than train class.
ClassHeadcodeTrain Description
AClass A
  • Express passenger train.
  • Newspaper train.
  • Breakdown train or snowplough going to clear the line.
  • Light engine going to assist a disabled train.
  • Officer's special NOT requiring to stop in section.
BClass B
  • Ordinary passenger train.
  • Mixed train.
  • Breakdown train NOT going to clear the line.
  • Branch passenger train (Only used where authorised by the Regional Operating Officer).
CClass C
  • Parcels, fish, fruit, meat, milk, pigeon, or perishable train entirely of vehicles conforming to coaching stock requirements.
  • Express freight, livestock, perishable, or ballast train piped or fitted throughout with the automatic brake operative on not less than half the vehicles.
  • Empty coaching stock train not authorised to carry an 'A' headcode.
DClass D
  • Express freight, livestock, perishable, or ballast train with the automatic brake operative on not less than one third of the vehicles.
EClass E
  • Express freight, livestock, perishable, or ballast train partly fitted, with not less than four braked vehicles next to the engine and connected by the automatic brake pipe.
  • Express freight, livestock, perishable, or ballast train with a limited load NOT fitted with the automatic brake.
FClass F
  • Express freight, livestock, perishable, or ballast train NOT fitted with the automatic brake.
GClass G
  • Light engine or engines coupled together.
  • Engine with not more than two brake vans.
HClass H
  • Through freight or ballast train not running under 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F' head code.
JClass J
  • Mineral or empty wagon train.
KClass K
  • Freight, mineral or ballast stopping at intermediate stations.
  • Freight, ballast, or Officer's special train requiring to stop in section.
  • Branch freight train (Only used where authorised by the Regional Operating Officer).

Numeric Codes (1962 BR Standard Locomotive Headlamp Codes)

Engine Head Lamps / Discs
  • The code was displayed using white lights or discs.
  • When a train was double headed only the leading locomotive carried headlamps or discs.
  • These headcodes did not apply on the Southern Region, which used head codes to indicate routes rather than train class.
ClassHeadcodeTrain Description
1Class 1
  • Express passenger train.
  • Newspaper train.
  • Breakdown van train or snowplough going to clear the line.
  • Light engine going to assist a disabled train.
  • Officers special NOT requiring to stop in section.
2Class 2
  • Ordinary passenger train.
  • Mixed train.
  • Breakdown van train NOT going to clear the line.
  • Branch passenger train (Where authorised by the regional operating officer).
3Class 3
  • Parcels, fish, meat, fruit, milk, horsebox, cattle, pigeon or perishable train composed entirely of vehicles conforming to coaching stock requirements.
  • Empty coaching stock NOT authorised to carry headcode for group 1.
4Class 4
  • Express freight pipe fitted throughout with the automatic brake operative on NOT LESS than 90% of the vehicles.
    Maximum speed 55mph.
5Class 5
  • Express freight partly fitted with the automatic brake operative on NOT LESS than 50% of the vehicles.
    Maximum speed 50mph.
6Class 6
  • Express freight partly fitted with the automatic brake operative on NOT LESS than 20% of the vehicles.
    Maximum speed 45mph.
7Class 7
  • Express freight NOT fitted with the automatic brake.
    Maximum speed 40mph.
8Class 8
  • Through freight NOT fitted with the automatic brake
    Maximum speed 35mph.
9Class 9
  • Branch train, freight train, ballast train or Officers special requiring to stop in the section.
0Class 10
  • Light engine or engines coupled.
  • Engine with not more than two brake vans