Train Numbers in the UK

[YorkRailFan]

Firstly, to clarify, I do not mean headcodes (say 1E20) or set/class numbers (say 158 757), I am talking about Train Numbers like those found in Europe (like RJ 647). Secondly, I am not going to go on about Eurostar seeing that they do operate in Europe.


I have seen Avanti (on Pendolinos and Voyagers), Crosscountry (on Voyagers only) and Grand Central (on Voyagers only) display Train Numbers either on the doors (in the case of Avanti on their Pendolinos) or on screens next to their doors (on Voyagers). The Train Number is also found on Trainline but not when booking from TOCs directly (as far as I'm aware) so it's not like in Europe when the Train Number is displayed on the ticket and the train. Additionally, Train Numbers aren't displayed on screens by the doors on the 80X family.

My question is why do certain TOCs use Train Numbers in the UK but others don't? But also, what is the point of these Train Numbers when they aren't displayed on tickets and when headcodes are used for pathing and signalling?

 

[swt_passenger]

This seems to be a regular question, here’s an early 2023 version:

Should passenger trains be identified to the public by their train numbers?

In the closed thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/i-have-been-charged-with-an-offence-but-i-feel-that-i-did-not-commit-it.242505/ , @urbophile made the following comment: In other countries, a train is identified by a train number and not the departure time. If that had been the case...

www.railforums.co.uk

I believe from earlier discussions every (maybe just reservable ones?) passenger service does have a 6 character code AAnnnn, it's just that very few public systems display them. What you’re seeing are the exceptions.

But note also that the 4 digit train ID (that some call headcodes) used in signalling systems is not unique across the country, and in some busy areas repeat over the course of a day, so they cannot be used as an alternative way of defining a single service.

There‘s another relevant thread from 2022 about the purpose of various codes here:

What does the TOC head code mean on Realtime trains

Not done this before so apologies if this is in the wrong place. Help needed, I have observed on Realtime trains and also on other sites a TOC Headcode which consists of 4 numbers (1710) in this example- this is not the same as the train Headcode or signalling Id:1V62. I need to understand what...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[kacper]

Trainline lets you view these

edit: just saw that you mentioned this so don't mind this

 

[hexagon789]

Trainline lets you view these

So does RTT