Train Symbols

[AlcoRS11Nut]

On railroad videos the narator states the train's symbol such as "Z-CHGBH" (I made the Z-CHGBH up), how do they get that information?

[AlcoRS11Nut]

On railroad videos the narator states the train's symbol such as "Z-CHGBH" (I made the Z-CHGBH up), how do they get that information?

[mudchicken]

Either a line-up, train orders or listening to the scanner conversations.

[mudchicken]

Either a line-up, train orders or listening to the scanner conversations.

[edblysard]

Hi Alco,
If you mean how do they think up the numbers and letters?
Often, they use the initals of the city of origin, the city of destination, and the number of the train.
Down here, we get two plastic trains a day from Tulsa, Ok.
So, the train symbol is TUPT 1, if its the first inbound train in that 24 hour period, and TUPT 2 for the second one.
Out bounds to Tulsa are PTTU 1 and PTTU 2.
It stands for TU lsa to the P ort T erminal number 1 and number 2,
or
P ort T erninal to TU lsa # 1 and #2.
So try saying PTTU one or TUPT one really fast into a radio.
Talk about a polygrip failure.
Your example shows a Z, which on the Old Santa Fe was a priority frieght, then CH, chicago, to GBH, (you fill in the blank)
Not all railroads use this system, but most have some form of it.
Pay attention to the initals, and you can figure out where the train originated, its priority, and where it is supposed to end up.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Hi Alco,
If you mean how do they think up the numbers and letters?
Often, they use the initals of the city of origin, the city of destination, and the number of the train.
Down here, we get two plastic trains a day from Tulsa, Ok.
So, the train symbol is TUPT 1, if its the first inbound train in that 24 hour period, and TUPT 2 for the second one.
Out bounds to Tulsa are PTTU 1 and PTTU 2.
It stands for TU lsa to the P ort T erminal number 1 and number 2,
or
P ort T erninal to TU lsa # 1 and #2.
So try saying PTTU one or TUPT one really fast into a radio.
Talk about a polygrip failure.
Your example shows a Z, which on the Old Santa Fe was a priority frieght, then CH, chicago, to GBH, (you fill in the blank)
Not all railroads use this system, but most have some form of it.
Pay attention to the initals, and you can figure out where the train originated, its priority, and where it is supposed to end up.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Anonymous]

The old B&O used mostly names for trains, like Chicagoan; St. Lou Trailer Train; Baltimorian; New York 88; New England 88; Curtis Bay 96/97, etc.

[Anonymous]

The old B&O used mostly names for trains, like Chicagoan; St. Lou Trailer Train; Baltimorian; New York 88; New England 88; Curtis Bay 96/97, etc.