Train reporting number (Australia)

The interstate network connects all main capital cities and uses a four-character numbering system, which applies to both freight and passenger trains.

The Heavy Haul network covers both the Hunter Valley Coal network and other coal traffic in NSW.

The Hunter Valley Coal network is one of the largest haulage networks in Australia. It uses a five-character numbering system but with three groupings of numbers to describe the train.

The South and West Coal network serves those mines not part of the Hunter Valley network, including those in the Central West and the Illawarra. It uses a slightly different five-character numbering system.

The ARTC operates a number of branch lines within state boundaries. These are often standard gauge lines that would otherwise be isolated, or important lines that connect different parts of the ARTC network but are not part of the Interstate or Heavy Haul networks. Depending on the line, different numbering systems are used depending on the state in which the line is located. These systems are often based on the one used by the state's own rail operator. For example, the line numbering system used in NSW is similar to the ARTC system used on NSW networks. (Refer to the state numbering systems below.)

Other systems are used for passenger trains, light engines, maintenance trains or heritage trains. They are detailed in the relevant Train Operating Manual, but are consistent with those used in the numbering systems of the state's own rail operator.

The NSW Country Rail Network numbering system is a continuation of the system developed over time by the NSW Government Railways and its successors. It is currently managed by John Holland, though numbering remains the property of Transport for New South Wales.[3]

Train numbers on the NSW Country Rail Network use a four-number system for freight trains.

As with the national system, there are specific numbers for passenger trains, heritage trains and maintenance/inspection trains. Interstate trains and coal network trains are numbered as per the National Interstate network numbering above.

Within the Sydney Trains Network, normal, in-service (passenger) services are assigned numbers consisting of four alpha-numeric characters. The number is made up of a 'run' identifier and followed by a 'trip' identifier. (Note that the names run and trip are not official) A train will generally keep the same 'run' identifier for the whole day and increment its 'trip' identifier. The 'run' identifier is a 1-3 digit number, with dashes (-) added to make it 3 characters long. The numbers are generally allocated in blocks by scheduled train class. For example, as of October 2019, 1-22 are allocated to B sets. An exception is the Olympic Park line, which has alpha-numeric 'run' identifiers, with the first letter representing its destination (S=Sydney Central, B=Blacktown, L=Lidcombe). The 'trip' identifier is one character, or two for shorter lines, such as the Carlingford or Olympic Park lines. The whole train reporting number is commonly referred to as the 'run number'.

The interurban (New South Wales TrainLink) network is slightly less organised, with no link between each successive run performed by a train. Train numbers are four characters, beginning with a one/two letter prefix, followed by numbers. The letter identifies which region the train is operating in:

The ARTC has a specific numbering system for trains operating on the ARTC Standard Gauge network within Victoria that do not run into South Australia or New South Wales.

The Transperth Suburban rail system follows a standard convention, with a 4 digit number followed by two letters, to denote each service. The first number is the line, the following three being sequentially numbered, and the two letters indicating stopping pattern. For example, 3092AS is an all stations up service on the Joondalup Line, and 6065TA is an all stations down service on the Armadale/Thornleigh Line to Thornleigh.[6]

First Digit

1. Manudurah Line
2. unknown
3. Joondalup Line
4. unknown
5. Armadale Line
6. Thornleigh Line
7. Fremantle Line
8. unknown
9. Midland Line

Pattern Identifiers

• Common identifiers
  • xxxxAS - All Stations
  • xxxxF - Friday night only service
• Armadale/Thornleigh Line
  • xxxxB - Express from Claisebrook to Queens Park, stopping only at Oats Street
  • xxxxC - Express from Claisebrook to Cannington, stopping only at Oats Street (also stops at Perth Stadium on Weekends, Public Holidays & for special events)
  • xxxxTA - All Stations to Thornleigh
• Freemantle Line
  • xxxxD - Commences/Terminates at Shenton Park Station
• Joondalup Line
  • xxxxK - Commences/Terminates at Clarkston Station
  • xxxxW - Commences/Terminates at Whitfords Station
  • xxxxPW - Commences at Whitfords Station and Terminates at Perth Station
• Mandurah Line
  • xxxxK - Commences/Terminates at Rockingham Station
  • xxxxW - Commences/Terminates at Cockburn Central Station