Last updated Inscription on an Italian flat wagon of Class Rgmms.
This list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a category letter (in capitals) and usually several index letters (in lower case).
The international system for the classification of goods wagons was agreed by the Union internationale des chemins de fer (UIC) in 1965 and subsequently introduced into member countries. For example it was adopted in Germany on 1 January 1968 replacing the previous German railway wagon classes that originated as early as 1905. The UIC classification has been amended several times since it began.
Not all wagons are given UIC designations. In Germany the few remaining guards vans and narrow gauge goods wagons have retained their original classifications.
Category letters
The following table contains the complete list of standard category letters. Letters A, B, C, D, P and W are reserved for coaches. However, also S is used for coaches and this doubles a goods wagons class.[1] These are covered in detail in the article on UIC classification of railway coaches. Each goods wagons type is given a type number, whose first digit forms the fifth digit of the 12-digit UIC wagon number.
Maximum load on class C route: m >25t (25 long tons; 28 short tons)[note 4]
H
Maximum load on class C route: m >28t (28 long tons; 31 short tons)[note 4]
E, G, K, L, T
Maximum load on class C route: m >30t (30 long tons; 33 short tons)[note 4]
F, O, U, Z
Maximum load on class C route: m >30t (30 long tons; 33 short tons) for twin-axled wagons / m >40t (39 long tons; 44 short tons) for three-axled wagons[note 4]
Ia, La
maximum load at limit of load C: m >40t (39 long tons; 44 short tons)[note 4]
Ea, Fa, Ga, Ha, Laa, R, S, Ta, Ua, Za
Maximum load on class C route: m >60t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)
Eaa, Faa, Gaa, Haa, Sa(a), Taa, Uaa, Zaa
Maximum load on class C route: m >60t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)
o
E
Not end-tipping
F, T, U
Loose gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor ≥70cm (27+1⁄2in) above top of rails. Lifting gear not usable
G, H
Twin-axled with loading length under 12m (39ft 4+1⁄2in) and more than 70m3 (2,500cuft) loading area
1 2 In the version of the classification scheme valid up to 1979 a meant bogie wagon, aa was not applicable to classes E, F, G, H, T, U, Z.
1 2 3 4 Up to 1979 both wagons with metered as well as those with loose gravity discharge were designated with a d.
↑ In version of the classification scheme valid up to 1979 there was also a load limit 40t.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The index letter was not part of the original 1966 version and was not introduced until later.
1 2 3 4 5 6 In the DR the definition was initially just "length under …m", which referred to the length over buffers. As a result numerous wagons were given the wrong classification with the m missing.
1 2 3 4 In the original 1965 version m was only intended for classes E, G, I, K, O, R.
1 2 In the original 1965 version mm was only intended for classes K, O, R.
1 2 The index letter could be dropped in 1980, but was sometimes displayed beyond that date.
↑ The index letter was introduced later than 1980.
National index letters
Country code 50: DR
Classes
Period
Meaning
t
Gbkl, Hkr
1968 to 1979
with special equipment for transporting personnel
u
E, G, K, R
1968 to 1979
not suitable for military use
v
E, T
1968 to 1979
not suitable for loading or unloading with a crane
G, H
1968 to 1993
With roof hatches (loading hatches in the roof)
U
1980 to 1993
For cement
w
U
1968 to 1979
For liquid fuel
Z
1980 to 1993
x
Uc
1968 to 1993
For coal dust
E
1980 to 1993
With steel floor
y
Uc
1968 to 1979
Chemical container wagon
T, U, Z
1980 to 1993
With internal lining
z
K, L, R, S
1968 to 1979
Removable platform railings
G, I
1980 to 1993
With steam heating pipes
zz
F
1980 to 1993
With steam heating pipes and equipment
Country code 80: DB
(Germany)
Classes
Meaning
t
H
Daberkow transport protection equipment (to 30 April 1994)
L
inside loading width at the ends under 2.45 m
tt
H
Lockable partitions (to 30 April 1994)
u
E, F, S
Hydraulic tipping system
G, H, I, K, L, T
Steam heating pipes
v
all
Electrical heating pipes for 1,000 or 1,500 volts
vv
all
Electrical heating pipes and heating equipment for 1,000 or 1,500 volts
↑ COMMISSION DECISION of 11 August 2006 concerning the technical specification of interoperability relating to the subsystem ‘Traffic Operation and Management’ of the trans-European conventional rail system (notified under document number C(2006) 3593) (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/920/EC)
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