US railroads: freight train naming conventions

[nicky9499]

Hi guys,

I'm curious about how American railroads go about naming their freight trains. Occasionally I've come across terms like "Q-LAC~something" or "Z-CHI~something" in the Youtube comments on train-related videos and they seem to have something to do with the origin and destination but I've so far been unable to find any such information on the web.

Can anyone enlighten me as to how they're named; hotshots, locals, extras, passenger and whatever other type of train? A link to some site with the relevant information would also be really helpful.

Cheerio,
Nicholas

 

[Pendolino]

Try a Google search for "<company name> train symbols"

Here, a couple PDFs I found about Union Pacific train symbols:

http://uphs.org.preview10.userservices.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/trainsymbols.pdf
http://fogchart.com/Down/Other/PDF/UPSymbols.pdf

 

[mp202]

I believe "Z Trains" are hotshots. Something relevant to the name would be BNSF Z-MILCHI. This train would be a hotshot from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Chicago, Illinois.

For coal trains, I believe it is BNSF C-CHLPEK. This train would be a coal train from Chillicothe, Illinois to Pekin, Illinois.

 

[SD45T-2]

Yep, Z trains are hotshot intermodal trains. Doesn't matter if it is trailers or containers.

 

[RacerTodd]

Here is a list of BNSF train symbols and the three letter codes for each location: http://www.utu426.org/pdf/BNSF%20Train%20Symbols.pdf

The single-letter train symbol tells you want kind of train it is, the first three-letter code is the origination yard and the last three-letter code is the destination yard.

On the radio in my area, sometimes you'll hear the whole origin/dest code - CHCTAC, SEAPAS, etc.
Sometimes the crews will use a shortened version - "M-PAS" instead of the full M-PASVBT moniker.
Sometimes a train will be referred to by the type of train: Z-trains are commonly just called "the afternoon Z-train". "Coal train, "oil train" are also heard.

Todd

 

[nicky9499]

Hi guys,

Thank you for the great information, they've been most useful. So far I observe the origin and destination codes differ between railroads, BNSF being the more intuitive one (also, 3 letters make it easier). I should cook up some codes for the stations along my route I guess.

Sometimes the crews will use a shortened version - "M-PAS" instead of the full M-PASVBT moniker.

That makes sense, very quickly able to identify 2 important facts: what it is and where it's going.

Cheerio,
Nicholas

 

[JohnnyC1]

Many of the RR codes used for cities are the same codes the Airline uses, the major difference and what is unique are the codes used for yards, interchange and terminals in major cities.

John

 

[Webbly]

what is special are the codes utilized for yards exchange and terminals in major urban areas.
The single letter train image lets you know need new sort of train it is the first three letter code is the start yard and the final three letter code is the objective yard.

Melbourne forklifts

 

[Truemac]

I think we're all ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to this topic. This talk of letter codes and city abbreviations is fine, but it all goes out the window when you're dealing with NS' trains. :hehe:

 

[jordon412]

The CSX local that serves industries on CSX tracks and the interchange with Norfolk Southern is designated A701. It's based out of Chattanooga At the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's (TVRM) first Railfest (2011), one of the four mainline excursions from the TVRM's Grand Junction station to downtown Chattanooga was designated TC09. The other three could be numbered TC06, TC07 and TC08. They could have also been TC07, TC08, and TC10; or TC08, TC10, TC11; or TC10, TC11, and TC12.

 

[nicky9499]

Hi Truemac,

Although I don't run eastern RRs often that would still be very interesting information and may be useful to other people. Care to share?

Cheerio,
Nicholas

 

[4449tj]

I think we're all ignoring the elephant in the room when it comes to this topic. This talk of letter codes and city abbreviations is fine, but it all goes out the window when you're dealing with NS' trains. :hehe:

and CSX's, Conrail probably had the easiest one to understand for freight trains. two letters for the origin and two letters for the destination, so a Allentown to Camden freight train would have been: AL-CA very simple just hade to remember the different abrivations for the terminals. the coal and intermodal were harder though, and I sure Mr. Yutz can chime in on those.:hehe:
TJ

 

[norfolksouthern37]

NS symbols for years were all 3 characters and grouped by type, but their origin and destination could be anywhere compared to the next entry. there have been some locals with 4 character names more recently.

 

[JCitron]

The B&M and MEC, and now Pan Am Railrways had some obvious names for their freight trains.

DOBO or Dover Boston for example is the sand and gravel train out of New Hampshire. It comes off the New Hampshire North Coast and becomes the DOBO on its way to Boston.

Other 'famous' freights are NMRJ or North Maine Junction to Rotterdam Junction. This is a through freight that runs the whole length of the route.
LAED - Lawrence to East Deerfield
EDLA - Opposite.
SAED - Salem to East Deerfield
RUED - Rugby to East Deerfield
EDRU - East Deerfield to Rugby

Locals are designated by their terminal and then followed by a suffix number based on the number of locals.

LA-1 is Lawrence Local # 1
LO-2 would be Lowell Local # 2

etc.

John