Posted by JerryE on June 7, 2014 
"The loco has been fitted with an experimental headcode indicator,displaying the train reporting number (1 = an express service. S = train heading to Scotland. 32 = train reporting number.)." Pardon! Let me rephrase that for Mr Smith, to save any confusion... This was the standard four figure train reporting headcode fitted to the majority of British Railways mainline locos (and some multiple units) since the late 1950s, the experiment Mr Smith seems to be referring appears to be the reversal of the colours, black on white rather than the more usual black background, probably in an attempt to help signalling staff, it was obviously judged to have been a failure as I had never seen nor heard of this experiment before (and I even lived at the time by the route from Kings Cross), anyway within five years BR had abandoned the use of these headcode displays on trains due to the increasing use of remote "power" signal control centres and the use of other means to identify approaching trains to railway staff, although these train reporting coeds are still used within the working timetable etc. to this day.
- Post a Comment -