Southern Pacific Train Symbol Rules
You are at: CarrTracks > Gallery > SP Symbol History Index
Train Designation
##OODDY
First number is the blocking code
0 pure train
1 first alternate
2 second alternate
3 third..etc
To qualify as an alternate a block must:
1. arrive at the destination or connection point ahead of
schedule
2. be destined for the terminal station of the basic
schedule or an intermediate point where there is a high
probability of having basic blocks to fill the train carrying
the alternate block
3. not cause the basic schedule to be late at destination
4. not result in cars for the basic schedule to be delayed
for lack of tonnage.
An alternately blocked train should move from the
originating station at least an hour and a half in advance
of scheduled departure time for each intermediate stop
caused by the addition of an alternate block.
The second number is the section number.
The first group of two letters was the origin and the second group of two letters was the destination. See Origin Destination for these codes.
The last letter is the type of train.
| A B | Loaded Auto Parts |
| H J | Empty Auto Parts |
| K | Chemical |
| D | Drag |
| E | General Service Empties |
| F G | Forwarder |
| L | Loaded Unit Trains |
| N | Empty Unit Trains |
| M | |
| P | Perishable |
| R | Empty Reefers |
| S | Sugar Beets |
| Q | Sugar Beet Empties |
| T C | Trailers and Containers |
| Y Z W V | General Merchandise |
Thus the 01EPWCY
would be the first section of an El Paso to West Colton general merchandise train. It would not have any alternate blocks.
On Oct 13, 1985 the symbol system was revised. The first number is now the section number. The fifth letter (position six) designating the train type was changed. Thus the example above became the 1EPWCM.
| A | Amtrak |
| B | M/W |
| C | Unit Coal Train (Loaded or Empty) |
| D | Detour |
| F | Forwarder |
| G | Unit Grain Train (Loaded or Empty) |
| I | Interchange |
| J | Joint operations |
| L | Local |
| M | General Merchandise |
| O | Officer Special |
| P | Paper or Unit Potash Train (Loaded or Empty) |
| Q | Sprint Train |
| R | Road Switcher |
| S | Unit Sulphur Train (Loaded or Empty) |
| T | TOFC/COFC |
| U | Other Unit Trains (Loaded or Empty) |
| V | Perishable |
| W | Work Train |
| X | Extra or Drag Trains |
| Y | Yard Job |
| Z | Light Engine |
The seventh position is the sequence number. This indicates a particular routing or schedule.
The eighth position is for special information.
| D | Double Stack |
| E | Empty |
| H | High wide or high value |
| K | Hazardous chemical |
| L | Loaded |
| N | No Caboose |
The last two numbers are the day of the month the train left its initial terminal.
SP Introduction