Help for a beginner

[King's Gambit]

As a total beginner to the subject matter of 'Trains' my wife bought me a copy of the Book "Traction recognition" by Colin Marsden. However I am having problems understanding several things, and obviously I am in need of some help. So, can somebody explain to me what the following mean? DMCL, MSL, DMCL, DMS, MS, there are quite a few more, probably to many to list. So I ask can anybody out there help me with this.

I thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

Cheers.

Stuart. (King's Gambit)

[Tony]

Hi Stuart, These are codes used to classify multiple unit stock.

First part of the code is;
DM Driving Motor
M Motor
DT Driving Trailer
T Trailer
Next letter is B for brake compartment, this is followed by the saloon details;
F First
S Standard
C Composite
L denotes a vehicle with a toilet.

suffix RB denotes a buffet and RMB for a miniature buffet.

P.S. Give my regards to the Baucliffe Hotel, stayed there regularly on trips to Manchester.

[DSY011]

Hello Stuart (King's Gambit) and welcome to the Railway Forum. Even those of us who are not a beginner to the subject matter have to ask advise from time to time, so never be afraid to ask questions.

[wyvern]

"Driving" referring to having a driver's cab of course.

On other stock, particularly locomotive hauled. and particularly older, the abbreviations may be different of course.

As for questions, railway staff themselves have a motto: "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask."

[Flying Pig]

Hi Stuart & welcome to the forum. Like most hobbies, there's always something new for all of us to learn. Every time someone asks a question I'd guarantee that there's quite a few peope here who benefit from the answers given - I certainly do. Whilst I know Electric Units pretty well I have no experience of steam and am happy just to sit back and read what the more knowledgable folk are saying.

On the subject of rolling stock description you tend to find that there's often more than one way of describing trains, since this system isn't actually officially set down by the railway.

Recently I tried to explain a fault to a fitter on a train I was driving by saying that smoke was coming from underneath the PTOS (midddle carriage fitted with a Pantograph but no motors). He got all snotty and asked if I was (mis)describing the RT. Apparently the fitters call it a Rectifier Trailer !

So there you go, even within the industry there's more than one name for vehicles.

Originally Posted by Wyvern

As for questions, railway staff themselves have a motto: "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask."

Amen to that. Golden rule number 1 !

FP

[Madcaravanner]

Hi Stuart

Keep asking mate it's the only way to learn new stuff

It's like when you go out to watch trains you will find some of us record all trains in as much detail as you can see
loco's, multiple units, wagons, LHCS (-LOL loco hauled Coaching Stock) departmentals and if it's got a number record it plus time and direction

Then you'll find the chap who only note REAL trains - ie loco's only

it's all personal preference here and you'always find someone who knows

[Ploughman]

Some just watch and take it all in but couldn't tell you what it was they just saw.
For the spotters, who needs to know the details?
If you have the number of the unit does it matter what the rest are?

Me I will just carry on spotting Snowploughs and Road Rail machines etc
Leave everything else to others.

[wyvern]

While we are on with railway abbreviations Here's a list I put together on another forum. I'm not sure where to put it here, but perhaps it could be copied and pasted into a sticky thread somewhere and added to as people think of others:

AB = Absolute Block
ABCL = Automatic Barrier Crossing Locally Monitored
AHBC = Automatic Half Barrier Crossing
AOCL = Automatic Open Crossing, locally monitored
AOCR = Automatic Open Crossing, remotely monitored
AOM = Area Operations Manager
APT = Advanced Passenger Train
ARM = Asset Recovery Manager
ARS = Automatic Route Setting
ASC = Area Signalling Centre
AWS = Automatic Warning System (see TPWS)
CAPE = Train will not run. Cancelled from origin,
C&W = Carriage and Wagon
CET = Controlled Emission Toilet
COA = Change Of Aspect
COSS = Controller of site safety
CWR = Continuous Welded Rail
DRA = Drivers Reminder Appliance
DSD = Driver's Safety Device
DVD = Driver's Vigilance Device (Sometimes referred to as the VIG)
ECS = Empty Coaching Stock
ERTMS = European Rail Traffic Management System
ES = Engineering Supervisor
ELR = Engineers Line Reference
EPS = Enhanced Permitted Speed (used for tilt-enabled Class 390s)
EROS = Emergency Restriction of Speed
ESR = Emergency Speed Restriction (dont know what the difference is betteen these two)
FPL = Facing point lock (also EFPL economic facing point lock)
HABD = Hot Axle Box Detector
HOBC = High Output Ballast Cleaner
HPSS = High Performance Switch System
HSM = Hand Signalman
IBJ = Insulated Block Joint
IWA = Individual Working Alone
LUL = London Undergound Lines (?)
LWR = Long Welded Rail
MAS = Multiple Aspect Signal (usually colour light as opposed to semaphore)
MC = Machine Controller
MCB = Miniature Circuit Breaker
MCB = Manually Controlled Crossing with barriers
MSP = Measured Shovel Packing
NMT = New Measurement Train
NR = Network Rail
LXA = Level Crossing Attendant
MOM = Mobile Operations Manager
OHL or OHLE = Overhead Line (Equipment)
OTM = on track machine
OTMR = On Train Monitoring Recorder (the "spy in the cab")
OSS = Overspeed Sensor System
PICOP = Person In Charge Of Possession
PINE = Train will be terminated short of destination
PLB = possession limit board
PON = Periodic Operating Notice.
PoSA = Proceed on sight authority
PSB = Power Signal Box
PSR = Permanent Speed Restriction
PW = Permanent Way
RA = Right away
RCF = Rolling contact fatigue
RETB = Radio Electronic Tken Block
RIO = Rail Incident Officer
RPI = Revenue Protection Inspector
RRAP = Road Rail Access Point
RRV = Road/Rail Vehicle
RSF = Right Side Failure
S&C = Switches and Crossings
S&T = Signls and Telelecomms (also Sick and Tired )
SCC = Signalling Control Centre
SIMBIDS = Simplified bi-directional signalling
SLU = Standard length unit (for calculating goods train lengths for loops etc.)
SPAD = Signal passed at danger (also SASPAD = Start against signal and passed at danger and SOYSPAD = Starting On Yellow Signal Passed At Danger)
SPATE = Speed Previously Advised Terminated Early
SPRS = Signal Post Replacement Switch
SPT = Signal Post Telephone
SSI = solid state interlocking
STP = Short term plan (a train working at short notice) see also VSTP
TBW = Temporaary Block Working
TCB = Track Circuit Block
TCF = Track Circuit Failure
TDM = Time Division Multiplex
TMD = Traction Maintenance Depot
TOPS = Total Operations Processing System
TPWS = Train Protection & Warning System (see also AWS)
TRTS = Train Ready To Start
TRSMD = Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot
TRUST = Train Running System TOPS
TSR = Temporary Speed Restriction
TSS = Train Stop System (on LUL)
UFN = Until further notice
UFN = Unpaid Fare Notice
UWC = User-worked Crossing
VSTP = Very Short Term Plan (see also STP)
WILD = Wheel impact load detector (also WHEELCHEX = Lineside detector for wheel flats)
WON = Weekly Operating Notice
WSF = Wrong Side Failure
WSP = Wheel slide protection

[Silver Fox Phil]

Hi Stuart and welcome to the forum. I can see you have just about all the answers to your question so the forum has done its job! hope you continue to enjoy.
Regards
Phil

[John H-T]

Welcome to the Forum Stuart.

Best wishes,

John H-T.