Eastern Railroad Discussion > Norfolk Southern alphabetical symbols, significance?

Is there a significance in NS train symbols numbering, 24N, 26T, 22K. What I'm asking is, what do the letters mean and how are they chosen?

I had a list as to what they all stood for, but can't find it. They all do have a meaning as to division, what kind of train, extra, second section, etc. Others may be able to help. In the mean time I'll try to find my list. The different combinations can get confusing.
Mike

The letters in NS's symbols don't mean anything. When NS inherited the old Conrail trains, their computers added all they new trains and needed symbols for them. The letters are just place holders for the third number in the symbol. They have no bearing on where they train originated or terminates.

Chris Tokarcik
Morgantown, WV

Not sure how accurate this web is!
http://railroadfan.com/wiki/index.php/NS_Train_Symbols

Here's a current NS symbol list. I try to keep it as updated as possible. http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?2,2661357,2661357#msg-2661357

Andrew

I found my list and here is what it has on alpha codes. And yes they do mean something.

The following alpha codes are used for symboling locals, switch jobs, shifters, and pushers, as well as sections of regular train movements.
This is a few years old and I see some of the Divisions have changed, but you'll get the idea.

A - Alabama Division
B - Additional Sections, 000-099
C - Coastal Division (primary)
D - Decatur Division
E - Eastern Division
F - Fort Wayne Div.
G - Georgia Div.
H - Coastal Div. (secondary)
I - Additional Sections 200-299
J - Pocahontas Div. (secondary)
K - Kentucky Div. (now Central Div)
L - Pittsburgh Div.
M - Additional Sections 100-199
N - Norfolk Div.
O - Additional Sections 900-999
P - Piedmont Div.
Q - Additional Sections 700-799
R - Radford Div.
S - Additional Sections 800-899
T - Tennessee Div (now Central Div)
U - Pocahontas Div. (primary)
V - Norfolk Div.
W - Additional Sections 300-399
X - Additional Sections 400-499
Y - Additional Sections 500-599
Z - Additional Sections 600-699

This is what I have but I do believe some of this has changed. I know some of the Divisions have changed. Feel free to ad to or update any of this. Anyway this should give you an idea what the letters stand for.
Mike

Andrew,

Thanks for going to the trouble of keeping the list current and
making it available to us.

Be Well,
]
Tim Colbert K3HX

lapklub Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I found my list and here is what it has on alpha
> codes. And yes they do mean something.

These codes only apply to a letter as the first character of a symbol.

As far as I can tell, letters as the last (third) character -- 13Q, 21Z, W3T, H2K, etc. -- have no code value. They're just a substitute for a number, and that was what I thought was the subject of inquiry here.

toledopatch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lapklub Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I found my list and here is what it has on
> alpha
> > codes. And yes they do mean something.
>
> These codes only apply to a letter as the first
> character of a symbol.
>
> As far as I can tell, letters as the last (third)
> character -- 13Q, 21Z, W3T, H2K, etc. -- have no
> code value. They're just a substitute for a
> number, and that was what I thought was the
> subject of inquiry here.

I was wondering the same thing about NS's symbols.
Well thanks for explaining it... It's as clear as mud now!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/12 20:18 by mkostecky.

This may help

http://www.parailfan.com/NS/operating_plan.pdf

Good Luck