Train reporting number (Australia)
Train reporting numbers are used on Australian railway networks to help network operators, and other users, coordinate train movements and identify trains. The numbers are used similarly to airline flight numbers, and enable a train to be identified to network controllers and other relevant authorities, and are also used by train operators for internal train management purposes.
Although Australian train reporting number systems are based on the United Kingdom system, each state has developed its own numbering system, with some similarities and differences. They generally include an indication of an origin and/or destination of a train, but differ in the way they denote the various features of the train, such as the operator, the type of train, the type of load, and whether the train is travelling in an up or down direction.
To date, there has been no significant move towards standardisation of the numbering system.
National (ARTC)
The national interstate network is managed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation, which uses a system-wide train reporting number to identify trains operating on its network. The train operating number is different depending on the designated part of the network on which the train is operating. These include the Interstate Network, the Heavy Haul Network, and the ARTC-managed lines within state boundaries. Passenger trains are sometimes numbered differently. Other systems are used for specific circumstances, such as light engines, maintenance trains, or heritage trains.Interstate network numbering
The interstate network connects all main capital cities and uses a four-character numbering system, which applies to both freight and passenger trains.| First Digit | Second Digit | Third Digit | Fourth Digit |
| 1 = Sunday 2 = Monday 3 = Tuesday 4 = Wednesday 5 = Thursday 6 = Friday 7 = Saturday | A = Adelaide B = Brisbane C = Junee/Cootamundra/Griffith D = Darwin F = Mudgee/Dubbo/Cowra G = Parkes H = Hunter Valley J = Victoria North East K = Victoria North West L = Alice Springs M = Melbourne N = Newcastle O = Fisherman Islands P = Perth Q = Moree R = Port Pirie S = Sydney T = Taree – Murwillumbah V = Goulburn/Moss Vale/Canberra W = NSW South Coast X = Spencer Junction/Port Augusta Y = Whyalla | A = Adelaide B = Brisbane C = Junee/Cootamundra/Griffith D = Darwin F = Mudgee/Dubbo/Cowra G = Parkes H = Hunter Valley J = Victoria North East K = Victoria North West L = Alice Springs M = Melbourne N = Newcastle O = Fisherman Islands P = Perth Q = Moree R = Port Pirie S = Sydney T = Taree – Murwillumbah V = Goulburn/Moss Vale/Canberra W = NSW South Coast X = Spencer Junction/Port Augusta Y = Whyalla | Sequentially allocated based on order of departure Number 8 is reserved for passenger services |
Heavy haul network numbering
The Heavy Haul network covers both the Hunter Valley Coal network and other coal traffic in NSW.Hunter Valley Coal Network
The Hunter Valley Coal network is one of the largest haulage networks in Australia. It uses a five-character numbering system but with three groupings of numbers to describe the train.| First and Second Digits | Third and Fourth Digit | Fifth Digit |
| AH = Ashton AS = Austar AT = Macquarie Generation Antiene BC = Bulga Coal BE = Boggabri East BF = Bloomfield BG = Bengalla BO = Boggabri Coal Loading Loop BW = Mount Arthur CW = Camberwell DK = Dartbrook DR = Drayton DS = Donaldson/Bloomfield DU = Duralie ER = Eraring Power Station GD = Gunnedah HV = Hunter Valley JU = Wambo/United JW = Wambo/Jerry Plains LD = Liddell Power Station MB = Maules Creek MN = Mangoola MO = Mount Owen MP = Mount Pleasant MR = Moolarben MT = Mount Thorley Bin 2 MW = Warkworth Bin 2 NA = Donaldson/Bloomfield NB = Narrabri ND = Newdell NM = Macquarie Generation NW = Newstan PW = Port Waratah RB = Muswellbrook RC = Rixs Creek RV = Ravensworth SF = Stratford TB = Teralba UL = Ulan VP = Vales Point Power Station WC = Werris Creek WG = Wilpinjong WH = Whitehaven WK = Warkworth Bin 1 WS = Walsh Point | 100, 200, 300 Series = Hunter Valley services 400, 800 Series = Sydney Trains services 500 Series = Gunnedah Basin services 600 Series = North Coast services 700 Series = Macquarie Generation services | Odd Number = Empty train Even Number = Loaded Train |
South and West Coal Network
The South and West Coal network serves those mines not part of the Hunter Valley network, including those in the Central West and the Illawarra. It uses a slightly different five-character numbering system.| First and Second Digits | Third and Fourth Digit | Fifth Digit |
| AR = Airly BB = Baal Bone CA = Clarence CB = Charbon CC = Coal Cliff CG = Cringila BHP IH = Inner Harbour LS = Lidsdale LG = Lithgow MC = Metropolitan Colliery TM = Tahmoor Colliery TL = Thirroul WW = Wallerawang | From 00:01 to 06:00 - Train numbers between 00 and 25 From 06:01 to 12:00 - Train numbers between 26 and 50 From 12:01 to 18:00 - Train numbers between 51 and 75 From 18:01 to 24:00 - Train numbers between 76 and 99 | Odd Number = Empty train Even Number = Loaded Train |
Intrastate network numbering
The ARTC operates a number of branch lines within state boundaries. These are often standard gauge lines that would otherwise be isolated, or important lines that connect different parts of the ARTC network but are not part of the Interstate or Heavy Haul networks. Depending on the line, different numbering systems are used depending on the state in which the line is located. These systems are often based on the one used by the state's own rail operator. For example, the line numbering system used in NSW is similar to the ARTC system used on NSW networks.Other numbering
Other systems are used for passenger trains, light engines, maintenance trains or heritage trains. They are detailed in the relevant Train Operating Manual, but are consistent with those used in the numbering systems of the state's own rail operator.New South Wales
There are two other rail network administrators in New South Wales: the John Holland Group for the Country Rail Network, and Sydney Trains for the metropolitan network bounded by Berowra, Emu Plains, Macarthur and Waterfall.Source for all information in this section:
NSW Country Rail Network
The NSW Country Rail Network numbering system is a continuation of the system developed over time by the NSW Government Railways and its successors. It is currently managed by John Holland, though numbering remains the property of Transport for New South Wales.Train numbers on the NSW Country Rail Network use a four-number system for freight trains.
| First Digit | Second Digit | Third Digit | Fourth Digit |
| 1 = Sydney Trains Network 2 = Goulburn 3 = Junee 4 = Newcastle 5 = Werris Creek 6 = North Coast 7 = Lithgow – Merrygoen 8 = Orange 9 = Illawarra | 1 = Sydney Trains Network 2 = Goulburn 3 = Junee 4 = Newcastle 5 = Werris Creek 6 = North Coast 7 = Lithgow – Merrygoen 8 = Orange 9 = Illawarra | 00 – 09 = Sydney Trains 10 – 19 = Qube Logistics 20 – 39 = Pacific National 40 – 49 = Southern Shorthaul Railroad 50 – 55 = One Rail Australia 56 – 59 = Aurizon 60 – 69 = Qube Logistics 70 – 71 = ARHS ACT Freight 72 – 73 = Pacific National Intermodal 74 – 75 = Not Utilised 76 – 79 = Southern Shorthaul Railroad 80 – 89 = Freightliner Australia 90 – 91 = Sydney Rail Services 92 – 93 = Not Utilised 94 – 95 = Pacific National Intermodal 96 – 99 = Not Utilised | Odd numbers - Down trains Even numbers - Up trains |
As with the national system, there are specific numbers for passenger trains, heritage trains and maintenance/inspection trains. Interstate trains and coal network trains are numbered as per the National Interstate network numbering above.
Metropolitan Network
Within the Sydney Trains Network, normal, in-service services are assigned numbers consisting of four alpha-numeric characters. The number is made up of a 'run' identifier and followed by a 'trip' identifier. A train will generally keep the same 'run' identifier for the whole day and increment its 'trip' identifier. The 'run' identifier is a 1-3 digit number, with dashes added to make it 3 characters long. The numbers are generally allocated in blocks by scheduled train class. For example, as of October 2019, 1-22 are allocated to B sets. An exception is the Olympic Park line, which has alpha-numeric 'run' identifiers, with the first letter representing its destination. The 'trip' identifier is one character, or two for shorter lines, such as the Carlingford or Olympic Park lines. The whole train reporting number is commonly referred to as the 'run number'.| Example | 'Run' Identifier | 'Trip' Identifier | Meaning |
| 1--A | 1 | A | First trip of the day for train allocated run 1 |
| 15-B | 15 | B | Second trip of the day for train allocated run 15 |
| 48AC | 48 | AC | Third trip of the day for train allocated run 48 |
| 133D | 133 | D | Fourth trip of the day for train allocated run 133 |
| L2AE | L2 | AE | Fifth trip of the day for train allocated run L2 |
The interurban network is slightly less organised, with no link between each successive run performed by a train. Train numbers are four characters, beginning with a one/two letter prefix, followed by numbers. The letter identifies which region the train is operating in:
| Prefix | Stands for | Lines |
| N | North | Central Coast & Newcastle Line |
| V | Hunter Line | |
| C | Coast | South Coast Line - Trains to/from Sydney |
| K | Kembla | South Coast - Trains to/from Coalcliff |
| KN | Kiama-Nowra | South Coast - Kiama to Bomaderry Diesel Service |
| W | West | Blue Mountains Line |
| SN | Southern | Southern Highlands Line |
| H | Interurban trains running empty within suburban network |
Victoria
Weekly Notice 4/77 advised that the "Train Describer Numbering System" was to be introduced. Originally introduced for trains in the Melbourne suburban area, it was being used state-wide by 1981. It is a four-digit system, and all trains in Victoria are allocated a train number for use in the radio communications system.The following is a summary of how the system works.
| First Digit | Second Digit | Third and Fourth Digit |
| 0 = City Circle, shunts, docks, light locomotives and any train not described here 1 = Epping and Hurstbridge 2 = Alamein and Glen Waverley 3 = Belgrave and Lilydale 4 = Dandenong, Cranbourne, Pakenham and Frankston 5 = Upfield and Broadmeadows 6 = Sydenham, Williamstown and Werribee 7 = Special 8 = Country Passenger Trains 9 = Goods Trains R = Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse X = Sandringham | Electric trains 0-5 = Flinders Street direct or local shuttle services 6-9 = Trains operating via the underground loop Passenger and Goods trains 0 = Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca and beyond 1 = Ballarat, Maryborough, Mildura, Pinnaroo, Kulwin, Robinvale and area 2 = Geelong, Warrnambool Via Werribee, Melton & Bacchus Marsh 3 = North East Broad Gauge 4 = Eastern 5 = Long Island, Stony Point and Metropolitan 6 = North East Standard Gauge 7 = Western Standard Gauge and standard gauge branches, Hopetoun, Yaapeet, and Portland Geelong, South Geelong, Marshall & Waurn Ponds via Wyndham Vale. 8 = Through standard gauge trains Geelong, South Geelong, Marshall & Waurn Ponds Wyndham Vale, Warrnambool 9 = not used | Even numbers = Up or Through trains Odd numbers = Down trains |
Notes
1. Maroona to Portland is Up
2. Through trains sometimes retain their number, e.g.:
9080 - Geelong to Swan Hill via Tottenham
9280 - Swan Hill to Geelong via Tottenham
In this case the 2nd digit is the destination line, so for the journey before Tottenham the train has a different 2nd digit for the corridor it is running on.
3. In addition to the second digit for electric trains indicating whether it runs via the underground loop, it can also be used to work out which line the train runs on.
| Direct | City Loop | Line |
| 1000 - 1199 | 1600 - 1799 | Epping |
| 1200 - 1399 | 1800 - 1999 | Hurstbridge |
| 2000 - 2199 | 2600 - 2799 | Glen Waverley |
| 2200 - 2399 | 2800 - 2899 | Alamein |
| 3000 - 3199 | 3600 - 3769 | Belgrave |
| 3200 - 3399 | 3800 - 3999 | Lilydale |
| 3400 - 3499 | 3770 - 3799xxnx | Blackburn |
| 3500 - 3599 | xxnx | Empty Cars, Lilydale and Belgrave |
| 4000 - 4099 | 4600 - 4699 | Pakenham |
| 4100 - 4199 | 4700 - 4799 | Cranbourne |
| 4200 - 4249 | Pakenham | |
| 4250 - 4299 | Cranbourne | |
| 4300 - 4399 | 4800 - 4899 | Frankston |
| 4450 - 4499 | Empty Cars, Cranbourne and Pakenham | |
| 4500 - 4599 | Empty Cars, Frankston and locals | |
| 5000 - 5199 | 5600 - 5799 | Broadmeadows |
| 5200 - 5399 | 5800 - 5999 | Upfield |
| 6000 - 6099 | 6600 - 6799 | Sydenham |
| 6200 - 6399 | Williamstown | |
| 6400 - 6499 | 6800 - 6999 | Werribee |
4. The following special train numbers are used in certain circumstances
0000 - 0000 Movements not described
0001 - 0100 Light Locomotives
0101 - 0150 Light Locomotives to/from West Tower via Engine Flyover
0151 - 0199 Light Locomotives to/from West Tower -undescribed
0200 - 0239 Special Country Trains in suburban area
0240 - 0499 Pilots in the Spencer Street Area
0500 - 0599 Light locos
0601 - 0699 Docks and shunts at out stations
0700 - 0799 City Circle
0800 - 0899 City Circle
0900 - 0999 Standby Trains
ARTC Victorian Standard Gauge Intrastate Trains
The ARTC has a specific numbering system for trains operating on the ARTC Standard Gauge network within Victoria that do not run into South Australia or New South Wales.| Character | Description | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NNNNA | First Character – The district in which the train commencedSouth Australia/Northern TerritoryThe Adelaide–Darwin railway and branch lines in South Australia are administered by One Rail Australia. For the Adelaide–Darwin Railway the numbering system used resembles the ARTC one, but there are differences in some of the lettering conventions.
Branch lines are numbered in a manner consistent with the Victorian and NSW Intrastate train numbering systems.
QueenslandThe Queensland Rail train numbering system, in its present format, has been in use since the late 1970s. The first version was very limited. It was mainly numeric but, for trains in the Brisbane suburban area, the letters A to F were used as the second character. Since then, the system has become the most detailed in use in Australia. For example, it even denotes what the motive power of the train is, how fast it can go, where it is going and, in the case of EMUs, how many cars long it is.With the exception of suburban passenger traffic, all trains are given a second identification, known as a "service" number. In most cases, the service number is the last three characters of the train number, with an alpha suffix that identifies the business group to which the train belongs. At present, control software does not support the use of five-character train numbers, but when complete, the service number will disappear and five-character train numbers will be introduced. Some train numbers might be 1119C, 0FB9Z, C742X, 9Y32M or M594H. Below is a character-by-character description of the QR Train Numbering system.
Notes: 1. Where the second digit is 'F', the fourth digit can be an odd or even number, irrespective of direction. This is usually for “trip shunts” and work trains. 2. In the Brisbane suburban area, if a freight train changes direction to complete its journey, the train number assigned when the train entered the BSA is retained.. 3. 2800 class locomotives are “Out of Dimension of Standard Transit which is why they have a separate train ID. Oddly enough, if a train is not hauled by a 2800 class, but has one as a vehicle in tow, then the applicable train number is used and an Out-of-gauge Authority is generated for that train. 4. Boonal loadout serves two mines. See "Third Digit" for train number differentiation. 5. With coal and BSA traffic, trains are usually numbered progressively starting from either xxx1 or xxx2 at midnight each day. For all other traffic, there is no real pattern to numbering. Western AustraliaTransperth ServicesThe Transperth Suburban rail system follows a standard convention, with a 4 digit number followed by two letters, to denote each service. The first number is the line, the following three being sequentially numbered, and the two letters indicating stopping pattern. For example, 3092AS is an all stations up service on the Joondalup Line, and 6065TA is an all stations down service on the Armadale/Thornleigh Line to Thornleigh.First Digit
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