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Post by fishbelly on Jun 20, 2023 14:30:37 GMT -8
Does anyone know how and why a railroad comes up with classification numbers?
For example. Missouri Pacific has a two digit locomotive classification number printed on the logo on the side of the cab. A GP15-1 is 58, GP7 is 48, GP9 is 60, SD40 is 70 and such. I have seen NYC locomotives with a circle and an R in it under the road number. I have no idea what that is or means.
I ask because I want to develop classification numbers for my CPT&C locomotives, but I have no idea of the reason for it. I like it though.
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Post by Baikal on Jun 20, 2023 14:59:27 GMT -8
Does anyone know how and why a railroad comes up with classification numbers? For example. Missouri Pacific has a two digit locomotive classification number printed on the logo on the side of the cab. A GP15-1 is 58, GP7 is 48, GP9 is 60, SD40 is 70 and such. I have seen NYC locomotives with a circle and an R in it under the road number. I have no idea what that is or means. I ask because I want to develop classification numbers for my CPT&C locomotives, but I have no idea of the reason for it. I like it though.
Standards for classing motive power or cars would seem to be very railroad-specific (I'm sure someone will come up with exceptions) and changed over time. I'm sure the MP Historical Society people would know. If there's an IO group you might ask there. Different railroads used classes based on order received (A1, 2, 3...) TE, HP, # axles, etc.
Same with glyphs on cab sides. Could indicate equipment like turbo, radio, restricted use, spark arrestors, odd brake or MU systems, maintenance home, etc.
There are a few MP modelers here, maybe they know.
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Post by cemr5396 on Jun 20, 2023 15:14:26 GMT -8
every railroad has a different way of coming up with locomotive classifications.
For example on CN, each classification is two letters, three numbers, and another letter.
The first letter is for the builder. G for GM/EMD, E for General Electric, M for MLW.
The second letter is the service type. F for Freight, Y for Yard, S for Switch, P for Passenger, etc.
The three numbers are the number of axles and the horsepower in hundreds.
The final number is the order number in that class.
So a GE C44-9WL built in 1994 is an EF-644a, since that was the first group of GE locomotives with that number of axles and horsepower rating. Later orders were EF-644b,c, and so on.
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Post by jonklein611 on Jun 20, 2023 18:01:41 GMT -8
It's whatever works for that railroad. If you're freelancing, you can do whatever you want, mix and match from you favorite roads, or make you own system.
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Post by fishbelly on Jun 20, 2023 18:10:23 GMT -8
I do like the reasoning that Brad listed. Maybe a little twist to it or modification. Overall though sound reasoning. I will do a little more digging and also see if anyone else here has any pointers before I cement it.
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Post by 690 on Jun 20, 2023 23:12:07 GMT -8
CP used a similar but simplified system. DRF and DRS (Diesel Road Freight and Diesel Road Switcher, respectively). The designation would be followed by an abbreviation for HP, and a letter to represent the order number. For example DRF-30a would be their first order of SD40s. CP didn’t differentiate between builders, so their order of C630Ms would have been DRF-30c, following their second order of SD40s, DRF-30b. Engines such as their GP30s, GP35s and C424s were initially classified as DRF series engines, but were then later downgraded to the DRS class later in life as they were used more local work than road jobs.
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Post by cemr5396 on Jun 21, 2023 6:41:28 GMT -8
Engines such as their GP30s, GP35s and C424s were initially classified as DRF series engines, but were then later downgraded to the DRS class later in life as they were used more local work than road jobs. One interesting wrinkle with that assignment change was they had to add pilots, number boards, class lights, flag holders, etc to the rear of the locomotives, as they did not have any of that as built. You don't spend any time running long hood forward on a through freight, you do on a local job however so all of those items need to be present. |
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Post by edgecrusher on Jun 21, 2023 9:15:14 GMT -8
On an NYC unit the circled R means that the unit was renumbered at some point since its delivery. This seemed to happen more leading up to the big PC merger.
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Post by fishbelly on Jun 21, 2023 9:16:35 GMT -8
Thanks Evan. Excellent data to store away. I just recently saw a batch of NYC GP20's with the circled R as well. So very good to know.
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Post by edgecrusher on Jun 21, 2023 9:37:33 GMT -8
It very loosely looks like this started in 65'/66'so it can be helpful in determining the loco number for your given era.
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Post by hudsonyard on Jun 21, 2023 14:39:42 GMT -8
It very loosely looks like this started in 65'/66'so it can be helpful in determining the loco number for your given era.
Uniform numbering program with PRR/NYC began in 66, this is when you start to see the big yellow numbers on PRR units.
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Post by edgecrusher on Jun 22, 2023 6:34:59 GMT -8
It very loosely looks like this started in 65'/66'so it can be helpful in determining the loco number for your given era.
Uniform numbering program with PRR/NYC began in 66, this is when you start to see the big yellow numbers on PRR units.
Thats good to know, I was wondering if the PRR was doing something similar at the time. |
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cvacr
Full Member
Posts: 123
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Post by cvacr on Jun 26, 2023 5:01:24 GMT -8
CP used a similar but simplified system. DRF and DRS (Diesel Road Freight and Diesel Road Switcher, respectively). The designation would be followed by an abbreviation for HP, and a letter to represent the order number. For example DRF-30a would be their first order of SD40s. CP didn’t differentiate between builders, so their order of C630Ms would have been DRF-30c, following their second order of SD40s, DRF-30b. Engines such as their GP30s, GP35s and C424s were initially classified as DRF series engines, but were then later downgraded to the DRS class later in life as they were used more local work than road jobs. There was also DS - diesel switcher DPA - diesel passenger "A" DPB - diesel passenger "B" DFA - diesel freight "A" DFB - diesel freight "B" HS - small group of diesel-hydraulic switchers |
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Post by cemr5396 on Jun 26, 2023 10:52:27 GMT -8
the nice thing about CP's simpler system was it made noting restrictions and such in the timetable simpler as well.
If a certain subdivision (say, a branchline) could not take 6 axle power due to weight limits, the only note needed in the time table would be something to the effect of "locomotives of class DRF-30 and DRF-36 cannot be operated" which would cover every six axle locomotive in the entire fleet (SD40s and 40-2s, C630s and M630s, and M636s) at the time when those branchlines were still in service and/or had not been upgraded yet.
A similar note in a CN timetable would be much longer due to their more varied fleet and the need to differentiate between builders. It would also require employees to remember more individual designations, although in a pinch you could always just read the classification printed (or in some cases, a cast plate) on the side of the locomotive, assuming it was legible.
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