Headcodes

Headcodes are an indication of an engine or train's class or importance by means of a position of lamps shown on the front of an engine, or white discs during the day. The headcode system allows the signalmen to identify and regulate trains and determine their routes.

Engines on the North Western Railway have been seen wearing lamp and disc codes on many occasions in the Railway Series. According to the The Railway Series: Surprise Packet, the North Western Railway has its own headcode meanings.

In the television series, the engines no longer used headcodes with their lamps follwing the third season. By the request of railway consultant Sam Wilkinson, all the engines eventually gained permanent lamps from the seventeenth season onwards.

List of Headcodes

 * Class A: Express; Breakdown; Snowplough
 * Class B: Ordinary Passenger; Branch Line
 * Class C: Perishable Goods; Express Parcels; continuous brakes throughout
 * Class D: Fast Freight; 1 ⁄ 2  train fitted with continuous brakes
 * Class E: Medium Freight; at least 4 vehicles fitted with continuous brakes
 * Class F: Express Freight without continuous brakes
 * Class G: Light Engine
 * Class H: Through Freight; Ballast Train
 * Class J: Mineral; Empty Wagon Train
 * Class K: Pick Up Goods; Branch