page_title: Train reporting number
section_title: Train classes
hierarchical_section_title: Train reporting number / Components / Train classes
caption_attribution_description: English: A class 37 at Cardiff Central in the late 1970s
context_page_description: A train reporting number in Great Britain identifies a particular train service. It consists of:
  A single-digit number, indicating the class of train, followed by
  A letter, indicating the destination area, followed by
  A two-digit number, identifying the individual train or indicating the route.
  The train reporting number is often called the headcode, a throwback to when the number was physically displayed at the head of a train.
context_section_description: For operational reasons, certain trains have priority in running. To help operating staff, they are grouped into classes; these were formerly identified using letters. When the letter groups were replaced by numerals on 18 June 1962, the classifications became:
  (formerly A) Express passenger, newspaper, or breakdown train; express diesel car; snow plough on duty; light engine proceeding to assist disabled train.
  (B) Ordinary passenger, branch passenger or "mixed" train; rail motor (loaded or empty); ordinary passenger or parcels diesel car; breakdown train not on duty.
  (C) Parcels, fish, fruit, livestock, milk or other perishable train composed entirely of vehicles conforming to coaching stock requirements; empty coaching stock (not specially authorised to carry Class A [sic] code).
  (C) Express freight, livestock, perishable or ballast train pipe-fitted throughout with the automatic vacuum brake operative on 90 per cent of the vehicles.
  (D) Express freight, livestock, perishable or ballast train with not less than 50 per cent vacuum braked vehicles piped to the engine.
  (E) Express freight, livestock, perishable or ballast train with 20 per cent vacuum braked vehicles piped to the engine.
  (F) Express freight, livestock, or ballast train not fitted with continuous brake.
  (H) Through freight or ballast trains not running under C, D, E or F [sic] conditions.
  (J) Mineral or empty wagon train.
  (K) Pick-up branch freight, mineral or ballast train.
  (G) Light engine(s) with not more than two brake vans.
  The classes are periodically revised, and since 13 December 2017, the classes have been:
  Express passenger train; nominated postal or parcels train; breakdown or overhead line equipment train going to clear the line (headcode 1Z99); traction unit going to assist a failed train (1Z99); snow plough going to clear the line (1Z99)
  Ordinary passenger train; Officers' special train (2Z01)
  Freight train if specially authorised; a parcels train; autumn-railhead treatment train; empty coaching stock train if specially authorised
  Freight train which can run up to 75 mph (120 km/h)
  Empty coaching stock train
  Freight train which can run up to 60 mph (95 km/h)
  Freight train which can run up to 45 mph (70 km/h)
  Freight train which can run up to 35 mph (55 km/h)
  Class 373 train; other passenger train if specially authorised
  Light locomotive or locomotives
caption: Class 37 locomotive with its headcode panel converted to two marker lights
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