Wagon telegraph codes

[caliwag]

I have always been fascinated by railway acronyms and convenient abbreviations, but having visited the excellent Bristol Harbour railway recently I photographed a 'Mogo'...a GWR acronym. I have since discovered that it means a 10 ton van with end doors for the carriage small cars (presumably between the wars). Now aside from all the Asmos, Beetles, Bocars, Fruit Ds and Pacos of the GWR (apparently at one time there were over 900 such telegraphic short-hands) did the LNER have such exotic titles and codes. Any references welcome please...Cheers, Jim

[Darryl Tooley]

The telegraphic codes for LNER freight stock are listed in appendix 4 of 'A Pictorial Record of LNER Wagons' by Peter Tatlow (OPC 1976)

D

[65447]

The full list of vehicle and all the many other codes is to be found in the LNER Telegraphic Codes book issued from time to time. The freight rolling stock codes are also listed in the Freight Rolling Stock control instructions and also the painting and lettering instructions.

[caliwag]

Ah...many thanks both. I used to have a copy of that wagon book but donated it to the Vintage carriage trust...oh well back to ABE books. Talking of which I've looked for the LNER telegraphic code book on ABE, but no luck, will keep an eye on it though.

Many thanks, Jim

[1H was 2E]

It's not just an LNER system, and very old. The RCH issued a circular in 1901 giving the code book as being in general use except for LNWR, NLR, NSR, LT&SR, CR and FR, but these railways had adopted the standard at or by 1923. It was continued by BR. It may have been originally produced by Mr Spagnoletti of the GWR.

It should be borne in mind that this is a code for telegraphs - i.e., needle instruments. In 1900, telegraphs could cost 10/- per letter by GPO, explaining the admonishment "be brief use code". By the time I joined BR telegrams were available and we did use these codes on the forms which we gave to the STRAD operator. Anyone remember those? The operator pressed the e key to hold the line open if she hesitated reading the draft, which could produce interesting results at the receiving end.

We did NOT use codes in speech, either over the telephone or in conversation across the desk, and I think their importance may be over-estimated.

[StevieG]

" .... It should be borne in mind that this is a code for telegraphs - i.e., needle instruments. In 1900, telegraphs could cost 10/- per letter by GPO, explaining the admonishment "be brief use code". By the time I joined BR telegrams were available and we did use these codes on the forms which we gave to the STRAD operator. ....
.... We did NOT use codes in speech, either over the telephone or in conversation across the desk, and I think their importance may be over-estimated. "

I can't say for sure, but I'd imagine that such telegrams were also sent over the railways' own telegraph system, where it remained, but the 'Be brief use code' probably still applied, in order to keep per-message time taken on busy circuits as short as possible, to minimise any delay to other messages.

In the early 1970s, code was spoken, when communicating by 'phone between offices and 'telegraph' ('STRAD' - wasn't this on BR's LM Region only?) operators, in reading over pre-written long-distance telegrams to be sent, and receiving incoming ones verbally [Though these were concerning collection/delivery/transit/reported non-receipt, of parcels; not freight rolling stock and containers].

For the purpose of possible clarification, I get the feeling that all previous info in this thread concerns codes use regarding 'revenue'/commercial freight and vehicles : Not the possibly better known (and mostly aquatic-related) codenames of engineering rolling stock, which I think still have some use today.

[notascoobie]

[quote="StevieG
For the purpose of possible clarification, I get the feeling that all previous info in this thread concerns codes use regarding 'revenue'/commercial freight and vehicles : Not the possibly better known (and mostly aquatic-related) codenames of engineering rolling stock, which I think still have some use today.[/quote]

As in a "shoal" of ballast wagons....

Vernon

[Bryan]

During the remodelling at York, there was the instance of one of the supervisors standing in the local chippy queue.
When a message comes over the radio.
4 Salmon, 15 Dogfish, 25 Sealions and a shark wanted in the station now.

Some bemused faces behind the counter at that.

[StevieG]

During the remodelling at York, there was the instance of one of the supervisors standing in the local chippy queue.
When a message comes over the radio.
4 Salmon, 15 Dogfish, 25 Sealions and a shark wanted in the station now.

Some bemused faces behind the counter at that.

Brilliant! Thanks v.m. for sharing : Reminds me of another anecdote of long ago - aired in Railnews I think - but nothing to do with telegraphic codes so I won't go completely off-topic by relating it.

[65447]

Its probably worth adding that the wagon code as painted on the side was quite often the same as its telegraphic code but not always.

Referring to a 1958 version of the Naming, Lettering and Telegraph Coding/Identification Markings and Painted Colours:

LOW, MED, MEDFIT, HIGH, HYFIT, CLAY, VAN, VANFIT, ZINC, SINGLE, DOUBLE, TWIN and quite a few others only existed as telegraph message codes, while containers painted only with the type letter such as A, BD, BM, AF etc. all had telegraph message codes where those type letter(s) were preceded by BOX, e.g. BOX AF.

[1H was 2E]

Its probably worth adding that the wagon code as painted on the side was quite often the same as its telegraphic code but not always.

Referring to a 1958 version of the Naming, Lettering and Telegraph Coding/Identification Markings and Painted Colours:

LOW, MED, MEDFIT, HIGH, HYFIT, CLAY, VAN, VANFIT, ZINC, SINGLE, DOUBLE, TWIN and quite a few others only existed as telegraph message codes, while containers painted only with the type letter such as A, BD, BM, AF etc. all had telegraph message codes where those type letter(s) were preceded by BOX, e.g. BOX AF.

As stated, this refers to the 1950's style.

However, round about 1963 a new standard was introduced and this had the details enclosed in a white rectangular outline, with three lines of entry within, separated by lines. The first line was the code, the second the carrying capacity and tare, and the third the prefix and number.

I recall seeing most of the codes you mention painted on wagons in this style, though I think that MED/MEDFITS had by then all been removed from revenue earning stock (a lot being given to the Engineers).

Incidentally, I also recall an all steel Hyfit with the word CODE painted on the top line, presumably a signwriter didn't fully understand the purpose of the example given to him.

Sometimes the wagon code would appear the carrying capacity on the pre-1963 layout but possibly this was an addition when a wagon was not fully repainted.

The telegraphic codes painted on wagons were later replaced by the TOPS codes in the same position.

[R. pike]