UIC type designation system for passenger coaches
The UIC type designation system for passenger coaches is an international standard for the designation of the types of passenger coaches , which was established by the International Union of Railways (UIC).
In contrast to the UIC type designation system for freight wagons , the type for passenger coaches is only clearly defined by the wagon number, while the letter abbreviations are only standardized in a very rudimentary way. For example, the Eurofima wagons of the first class , which are actually completely identical, are called Avmz (DB), Amoz (ÖBB, later Amz), A9u (SNCF), Am (SBB), A I6 (SNCB) or Az (FS), depending on the railway.
The capitalized generic letters are largely uniform internationally, but various railways have already used a large part of them in national names, such as the generic symbols of German railroad cars .
The lower case letters for technical details, however, are a matter for the respective railway company. To distinguish between different series with the same characteristics, some railway companies also assign type numbers.
Generic letters
One or more generic letters always form the beginning of the designation. If there are several letters, these represent a combination of functions - for example, an "R" in the designation always stands for a dining car: "WR" is a pure one, "AR" is a half-dining car with first-class seats, "BR" is one with second class.
There are also a small number of national peculiarities here, for example the Deutsche Bahn uses a prefixed "D" for double-decker coaches and there is no uniform designation for post coaches (but "00" as the fifth and sixth digit of the coach number).
| meaning | annotation | |
|---|---|---|
| A. | 1st class seating car | |
| B. | 2nd class seating car | |
| FROM | 1st and 2nd class coaches | |
| AR | Half dining car, 1st class seating car with kitchen and dining area | |
| BR | Half dining car, 2nd class seating car with kitchen and dining area | |
| AD | Half baggage car, 1st class seated car with luggage compartment | |
| BD | Half baggage car, 2nd class seated car with luggage compartment | |
| D. | Baggage cart | |
| THERE | 1st class double deck car | (only Germany) |
| DB | 2nd class double deck car | (only Germany) |
| DAB | 1st and 2nd class double deck cars | (only Germany) |
| DD | Double-deck baggage cart | (only at the DR ) |
| DD | Double-deck car transporter of the passenger coach type | (used in motorail trains) |
| F. | Mail car | (Austria only) |
| FR | Dining car with luggage space | (Norway only) |
| post Office | Mail car | (only Germany) |
| BPost | 2nd class seating car with a post compartment | (only Germany) |
| DPost | Baggage car with post compartment | (only Germany) |
| salon | Saloon car | |
| SR | Social car | |
| Flat share | Society car ("dance car") | (only Germany) |
| WGS | Special company car (" S alonwagen") | (only Germany) |
| WLA | 1st class sleeping car | |
| WLB | 2nd class sleeper | |
| WLAB | 1st and 2nd class sleeping cars | |
| WR | Dining car | |
| KA | 1st class narrow-gauge car | |
| KB | 2nd class narrow-gauge car | |
| KD | Narrow gauge luggage car | |
| Z | Mail car | (Switzerland only) |
| Z | Prisoner transport car / cell car |
Identification letters
The lower case letters following the generic code represent the technical equipment and furnishings of the car. How the code letters are used is up to the respective railway company; An internationally clearer identification of at least some of these features results from the fifth to eighth digits of the wagon number.
Deutsche Bahn
The code letters of the Deutsche Bahn partly come from the national system and were defined there in the 1950s. With the introduction of the EDP numbers, the system was fundamentally changed; since then, bogie wagons have not been the norm. Before it was two-axle. In addition, changes were made in 1986, the specification of the electrical heating was omitted (it affected all existing passenger coaches) and the meaning of the auxiliary character m , which stood for a coach length of more than 24 meters, was changed to a length over buffers greater than 24.5 meters . This eliminated it from the OS®D type B and UIC type Y wagons. As a result, the systems of the two German railway administrations, which differ in some details, were harmonized. The identification of two- and three-axle vehicles has been abandoned because it is included in the wagon number. Makeshift passenger coaches of the freight wagon design have not been in stock since the 1970s. As a result, many of the information appears redundant today - there are hardly any bogie wagons without an "m" and also the UIC type X compartment wagons developed in the 1950s, compared to which a "v" indicates a reduction in the number of compartments (ie ten compartments in the first or twelve in the second grade), are largely retired.
| meaning | |
|---|---|
| a | Cart is the technology-based A bfertigungsverfahren equipped. The subsidiary character a is at the end of the generic symbol |
| formerly: three-axle passenger coach | |
| aa | formerly: two-axle passenger coach |
| b | Car with handicapped accessible equipment |
| formerly DB: car with control ( B efehls) line | |
| earlier DR: B ehelfsreisezugwagen model years 1943 to 1945 | |
| c | Trolley with compartments, in which the seats (in berths C can be converted OUCHETTES) ( couchette ) |
| d | Trolley with multi-purpose room or bicycle parking space |
| e | until 1986: car with electric heating |
| ee |
until 1992: Car with power supply from the train bus . The subsidiary characters e and ee were at the end of the generic symbol |
| f | Control car with 36-pin control cable or time-division multiplex push-pull train control |
| in addition to u : control car with 34-pin cable or time-division multiplexer push-pull train control | |
| DR until 1986: makeshift control car (command car) for push-pull train operations | |
| G | until about 2000: Passenger carriages with rubber bulge transitions, with seated, couchette and sleeping cars for express train service also with side aisles; the symbol is not used on wagons bearing or carrying the symbol m . |
| H | Car that can be supplied with power both via train busbar and its own axle generators |
| also: license plate number of non-converted DR-type local transport cars (open-plan cars with rubber bulge transitions and central aisle) | |
| i | in addition to m : former Interregio coaches |
| until 1992: through car with open crossings | |
| k | Car with bistro / K iosk- or K üchenabteil or vending machines |
| l | Car like m car, but without side aisle (currently not in use) |
| m | Passenger cars having a length of m ore than 24.5 meters and Gummiwulstübergängen (except for DDm ) |
| mm | m odernisierter m -vans (since 2016) |
| n | N ahverkehrswagen with a length of more than 24.5 m, bulk space with center passage in the second class (twelve notional compartments), center or side gear in the first class, two entrances means, suitable for push-pull operation (36-pole control line) |
| O | in addition to m : fewer compartments and no air conditioning |
| to 1992: car o teeth seat cushion | |
| p | Car with open space and central aisle (“ p ullman-like ”), air-conditioned |
| q | Control car with conventional push -pull train control with 34-pin control cable (only non-modernized vehicles that do not have the n or y ) |
| r | Car with high-performance brake (rapid brake) KE-GPR . Only used in conjunction with n or on mail wagons . |
| Previously: Express train carriages with car crossings and a dining area for self-service | |
| s | : with luggage carts and luggage carts half S eitengang |
| in sleeping cars: type S pecial (small single or double compartments) | |
| in compartment cars: S ervice compartment | |
| tr | DR: Car with a load compartment |
| u | Car with 34-pin push-pull train control line (DR design) |
| uu | Car with 36-pin push-pull train control cable (DB type) ( f or n include this feature) |
| v | Highway vehicles with v erringerter number of sections (11 instead of 12 in Bm, 6/4 instead of 6/5 at ABm, 9 instead of 10 in Am) |
| DR 1970 to 1992: four-part double-decker unit, previously DB13 | |
| w | Long-distance coaches with a significantly reduced number of compartments (9 instead of 12 at Bm, since 2012) |
| Upholstery also in the (then new) 2nd class (formerly) | |
| DR 1970 to 1995 light through cars up to 32 tons net weight | |
| x | S-Bahn car with open space with central aisle, train busbar for power supply, central entrances and high-performance brake ( see also: x-car ) |
| 1992 to 2000: two-part double-decker unit | |
| y | Local transport car with a length of more than 24.5 m, large area with a central aisle in the second class (eleven fictitious compartments), two central entrances, suitable for push-pull train operation (34-pin control line) |
| z | Carriages with power supply from the train busbar (without axle generators) |
| DR 1970 to 1992: two-part double-decker unit, previously DB7 |
Austrian Federal Railways
The Austrian Federal Railways use different code letters for two- and four-axle wagons. The following generic symbols have been in effect since 1981. The letters "d" for double-decker cars, "l" for push-pull cars and "s" for control cars are written after a hyphen (example: Bmpz-ds).
| meaning | |
|---|---|
| b | handicapped accessible (e toilet) (from 2010?) |
| c | Couchettes (couchette) |
| e | Side-aisle baggage car (until 1962) |
| f | Control car (from 2010?) |
| H | Car with electric heating (not applicable from 1968) |
| i | Carriages with a central aisle, open platforms and open transition bridges |
| ip | Carriages with central aisle, closed platforms and open transition bridges (until 1968) |
| l | Railcar trailer with control line |
| m | Wagons longer than 24 meters (from 1968) |
| O | Cars without steam heating (not applicable from 1980) |
| p | Open-plan coaches with central aisle (from 1968) |
| s | Side-aisle baggage car (from 1962), before that: express carriages (until 1962) |
| ü | Car with a closed transition (until 1968) |
| v | Carriages with a reduced number of compartments (from 2010?) |
| w | Cars with Webasto self-heating (railcar trailer) |
| x | Baggage trolley for express goods (from 1962) |
| y | Car with buffet compartment |
| z | Car with power supply from the train bus (from 1968) |
| -dl | Double-decker car with control line (not applicable for current deliveries and redrawings) |
| -ds | Double-decker control car (not applicable to current deliveries and redesignations) |
| -k | Car with driver's cab (from 1982) |
| -l | Car with control line for push-pull train operation (from 1995) |
| -s | Control car for push-pull train operation |
Swiss railways
From 1902, a uniform scheme of serial designations for locomotives and wagons was in force for the Swiss railways , which was established by the Federal Office of Transport (now the Federal Office of Transport ). In essence, the international scheme has been in place since 1962, but some peculiarities have remained until today (see also table above). Since the turn of the millennium, the uniform scheme has not been enforced and some railways have introduced additional names. The following lower case letters are used in Switzerland today:
| meaning | |
|---|---|
| b | Support car (only in combination Db) |
| c | Couchettes (couchette) |
| i | Carriages with open platforms or wagons with handicapped accessible toilets (only for RhB and MGB) |
| m | Wagons longer than 24 meters for international traffic |
| p | Open-plan coaches with central aisle for international traffic (from 1980) |
| r | Car with restoration compartment (synonymous sometimes written R) |
| s | Luggage trolleys with side aisles (20 cars from 1977, all cars are decommissioned) |
| t | Control car for shuttle trains |
| ü | Car with a closed transition (until 1968) |
UIC wagon number
In contrast to the letter abbreviations, the UIC wagon number , which always consists of twelve digits, is completely standardized for passenger wagons and also provides details about the type of wagon.
| first and second digit: | Code for the exchange procedure |
| third and fourth digit: | Code for the property feature (since 2006: UIC country code ) |
| fifth to eighth digit: | Information on the wagon type (see below) |
| ninth to eleventh digits: | Serial number |
|
twelfth position: (separated from the rest by a hyphen) |
Self-check digit |
The fifth digit of the wagon number encodes the actual class for passenger wagons:
- 0 = Post and private cars as well as sleeping cars of the CIWLT
- 1 = A - first class seated carriage
- 2 = B - second class seated carriage
- 3 = AB - first and second class coaches
- 4 = Ac and ABc / AcBc - couchette cars first class as well as first and second class
- 5 = Bc - second class couchette car
- 6 = sleeping cars and cars of special designs
- 7 = sleeping cars and special types of cars
- 8 = sleeping cars and cars of special designs
- 9 = baggage cart
The sixth digit of the wagon number for passenger coaches encodes the type of interior:
- 0: 10 compartments
- 1: 11 compartments
- 2: 12 compartments
- 3: three-axle wagons
- 6: double deck car
- 7: 7 compartments
- 8: 8 compartments
- 9: 9 compartments
If the fifth digit is 0, there are some special meanings for the sixth:
- 00: mail car
- 06: Sleeping cars that have not (yet) been added to the international sleeping car pool
- 07: Sleeping cars that are not (yet) codified for the national park
The seventh digit encodes the maximum speed, the eighth the heating system:
| 7th digit ↓ | 8th position → | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4th | 5 | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | up to 120 km / h | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
% | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | % | 1500 V ~ | other tensions | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | % |
| 1 | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | % | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | 3000 V = | |
| 2 | only steam heating | only steam heating | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
only steam heating | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
only steam heating | 1500 V ~ 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
1500 V ~ | 1500 V ~ | Self-heating | |
| 3 | up to 140 km / h | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
% | 1000 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | 3000 V = |
| 4th | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
1000 V ~ | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | % | |
| 5 | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | % | 1500 V ~ | other tensions | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
% | % | |
| 6th | only steam heating | % | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
% | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
% | only steam heating | % | % | Self-heating | |
| 7th | up to 160 km / h | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
1000 V ~ | 1500 V ~ | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | 3000 V = |
| 8th | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
% | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ | 3000 V ~ 3000 V = |
other tensions | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
Self-heating or special | |
| 9 | over 160 km / h | 1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ 1500 V = 3000 V = |
1000 V ~ 1500 V ~ |
1000 V ~ | 1000 V ~ | % | 1500 V ~ 1500 V = |
3000 V = | Self-heating or special |
Legend:
- gray background: vehicles equipped with electric and steam heating as well as on-board power supply with axle generator
- Blue font: With certain vehicles, the use of 1000 V is only permitted for 16.7 or 50 Hz.
- red lettering: vehicles for a track width of 1520 mm
- Green letters: 1500 V ~ and 3000 V = only for vehicles used nationally, all voltages for vehicles used internationally.
- %: Number combination is not assigned or is reserved
- Special (89 or 99): Power supply for all voltages via the train busbar, air conditioning must be operated via a separate generator
Cars with steam or self-heating always require a power supply for the other consumers that is independent of the train busbar, usually through an axle generator, for liberal use.
With the advent of electrical rail operations, different contact wire voltages and currents were used. The heating voltages are simple derivatives of the systems used. For more information, see the article train busbar . In international traffic, 1 kV alternating voltage with 16.7 Hz, 1.5 kV direct and alternating voltage with 50 Hz and 3 kV direct voltage are standardized. To simplify the formation of trains and for easier alternating traffic, numerous wagons, especially in Central Europe, are also able to be supplied with the non-standardized AC voltages of 1 kV with 50 Hz, 1.5 kV with 16.7 Hz or 3 kV with 50 Hz . These additional frequencies are indicated in the heating grid to the left of the voltages. The heating frequency of 22 Hz, which is required to avoid influencing track circuits with a frequency of 50 Hz, especially for diesel locomotives, is not specified.
Since there were still many steam locomotives and diesel locomotives with boilers at the time the UIC wagon numbers were introduced, steam heating had to be taken into account in the system. At the time of the introduction, it was not foreseeable that significantly more wagons for speeds above 160 km / h would then be put into service, while the number of wagons for speeds up to 140 km / h fell sharply.
example
From the picture linked here for a complete designation of a passenger coach (consisting of country abbreviation, vehicle owner code, UIC wagon number, generic symbol and type number) broken down as an example:
D - DB 50 80 36 - 81 040 - 8 DABpza 785.3
D = Deutschland DB = Deutsche Bahn AG 50 = Wagen des Binnenverkehrs (nicht druckertüchtigt) 80 = Deutschland 3 = AB; Sitzwagen erster und zweiter Wagenklasse 6 = Doppelstockwagen 8 = bis 160 km/h 1 = elektrische Heizung mit 1000 V~ 16,7 Hz, 1500 V~ 50 Hz, 1500 V=, 3000 V= 040 = Ordnungsnummer 8 = Selbstkontrollziffer D = Gattungsbuchstabe Doppelstockwagen A = Gattungsbuchstabe Sitzplätze der ersten Wagenklasse B = Gattungsbuchstabe Sitzplätze der zweiten Wagenklasse p = Kennbuchstabe Großraumwagen klimatisiert z = Kennbuchstabe Stromversorgung über Zugsammelschiene a = Kennbuchstabe technikbasiertes Türabfertigungsverfahren 785.3 = Bauartnummer