NS (Norfolk Southern) Conductor, Engineer, or Dispatcher Needed. Train Symbol Logic?

Question

Hi!. Most railroad's use pretty simple train designation/identification techniques, however, NS' baffles me. I'm a railfan and I'm creating activities for the NS Harrisburg District on MSTS, and I can't figure out how their symbolization system works. For example, I've heard of NS trains such as 17R, 12A, 21E, 112, etc..etc. I don't understand it. BNSF uses a great system, H= High-Priority manifest, S= Doublestack Intermodal, M= Manifest, etc..etc, and then an abbreviated origin and destination code.

I DO NOT need actual trains themselves, I just need to know how the symbolization works. For example, what does 'A' mean? 'W'? And why do some NS trains use 3-digit numbers, while others use the two-digit, one-letter system?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks!

Answer 1

The last answer is absolutely ludicrous.. what is this 1867?

Anyway one of the best sources for this would likely be a timetable made by the railroad.  E likely means extra but here in IL along stl to detroit line extra is desgisnated by X.

R might be roadrailers (this is NS after all).

If you are listening to this information on the radio a good clue might be to go out and see the trains themselves and then understand what they carry (by looking at the cars).  

Long boxcars or autoracks could be autoparts trains ...possibly the A designation.  

Likely the numbers have to do with the terminals or origination and destination such as with the bizzare system used by the Union Pacific RR....and you though airport symbols were confusing.

Here near stl the roadrailers were even numbers going north and odd numbers going south.  With the opposite being true for manifest freights.

Answer 2

If you don't work for the railroad, you don't need this information.  Who's to say you aren't a terrorist looking to sabotage a particular train?

Answer 3

I read your question and had to chuckle, the last three words "tain symbol and logic" all in one sentence.

I am sure there is a system but to see logic applied to train operations made my morning.

Thanx for the chuckle.

Answer 4

A very interesting question.  I am not familiar with the NS train classification system, but it'd seem to me a logical designation for "W" would be for a "work train."

I could help with the UP or former SP systems, but I'll follow this question and answers with interest.