British locomotive classification system
A range of diesel locomotives (Classes 37, 47, 31, 20 and 56) at Dereham
This article lists the wide variety of locomotives and multiple units that have operated on Great Britain 's railway network, since Nationalisation in 1948.
British Rail used several numbering schemes for classifying its steam locomotive types and other rolling stock, before settling on the TOPS computer system in the late 1960s. TOPS has remained in use ever since.
Steam locomotives
Steam locomotives in use after 1968: Class 98
Diesel and electric locomotives
Diesel locomotives: Classes 01–70
DC electric and electro-diesel locomotives: Classes 70–79
AC electric locomotives: Classes 80–96
Departmental locos (those not in revenue-earning use): Class 97
Miscellaneous locomotives, including builders' demonstrators.
Shipping fleet
British Rail's shipping fleet:
Diesel multiple units
Units with mechanical or hydraulic transmission: Classes 100-199
Units with electric transmission: Classes 200–299
Electric multiple units
Overhead AC and Dual-voltage EMUs: Classes 300–399 and 700-799
Southern Region DC third rail EMUs: Classes 400–499
Other DC EMUs: Classes 500–599
High-speed EMUs: Classes 800-899
Alternative Fuel multiple units
Departmental multiple units
See also
British railway locomotives and miscellany, 1948 to present
Diesel shunters Diesel shunters (pre-TOPS ) Main-line diesels: Main-line diesels (pre-TOPS) Electrics Electrics (pre-TOPS) Multi-modes Departmental Prototypes Getlink locomotivesSteam locomotives Ships
AC units (300–399) AC units DC units (700–899) AC units (pre-TOPS ) DC units (400–599) DC units (original TOPS) DC units (pre-TOPS) Battery units Hydrogen units Southern Railway designationsMiscellaneous units Families Notes
1: Renumbered as Class 332
2: Renumbered as Class 325
3: Renumbered as Class 701
4: Renumbered as Class 720/6
5: Bi- or tri-mode unit
6: Renumbered as Class 802/2
7: Renumbered as Class 810
8: Grouping of different rolling stock types built to loading gauge of London Underground deep tube lines