Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF coal symbols

I notice after the destination segment there is a zero or letter o. Maybe other letters or numbers may be used also, I'm not sure. What does this stand for? Also there is a letter after the date (A usually). Does this mean sections run that day? I know there is usually one section each day normally, but I know certain trains can run more than one section in a day. Plant Scherer is an example of the latter. Thank you in advance.

These might help
for coal symbols...
http://www.qstation.org/bnsf/bnsfcoal.html
for regular fright...
http://www.qstation.org/bnsf/bnsfsymbols.html

SDH -
>>I notice after the destination segment there is a zero or letter o. >>

It's a zero used as part of the total number of that particular symbol run that calender year. Thus, the first C SCMCEC of the year is C CSMCEC0 01. The one hundred first section that year is C SCMCEC1 01, and so on. Some of the very high numbered coal train sections run into the 300 or higher range towards the end of the year.

<<Also there is a letter after the date (A usually). Does this mean sections run that day? >>

I believe that is a routing code. For example, when the H PASCWYx xx runs via MRL and Mandan instead of it's regular route on the Hi-Line, it will have a "B" at the end. Anyone? I've seen the letters "T" and "X" used also.
Dave in Msla

I've heard the routing code referred to as a priority code as well. It can mean a lot of different things, although A and B are the most common for all train categories.

For unit trains, you can often tell what the train is carrying by the routing/priority code:
R = Rail
T = Ties
B = Ballast
G = Track Gang
P = Pilot (used for track equipment moves)




monaddave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SDH -
> >>I notice after the destination segment there is
> a zero or letter o. >>
>
> It's a zero used as part of the total number of
> that particular symbol run that calender year.
> Thus, the first C SCMCEC of the year is C CSMCEC0
> 01. The one hundred first section that year is C
> SCMCEC1 01, and so on. Some of the very high
> numbered coal train sections run into the 300 or
> higher range towards the end of the year.
>
> <>
>
> I believe that is a routing code. For example,
> when the H PASCWYx xx runs via MRL and Mandan
> instead of it's regular route on the Hi-Line, it
> will have a "B" at the end. Anyone? I've seen the
> letters "T" and "X" used also.
> Dave in Msla

David.Curlee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've heard the routing code referred to as a
> priority code as well. It can mean a lot of
> different things, although A and B are the most
> common for all train categories.
>
> For unit trains, you can often tell what the train
> is carrying by the routing/priority code:
> R = Rail
> T = Ties
> B = Ballast
> G = Track Gang
> P = Pilot (used for track equipment moves)

Here's a couple more you can add to the list.
M = Military
Z = Geometry test car