4498 SNG Crewe - S&C - Carlisle - Shap - Crewe Private members charter 21/05/22

Running in “Wartime Black” LSL continued the theme by entering the TOPS number on RTT - just to confuse the enemy!? “Don’t tell ‘em your name, Sir Nigel.”

 

Which is how SNG should be reported on TOPS. If you get on the footplate of a mainline approved loco, the TOPS number will be displayed somewhere, normally on the inside of the cab roof above the drivers seat.

Cheers, Neil

 

For those not in the know they all begin 98—. SNG could be a palindrome; 984498

 

Er no it couldn't ? 984489 ?

 

To be pedantic, SNG's correct TOPS number is 98898. The first two digits signify steam, the third its power class and the last two are usually the last two of the loco's painted number (at the time of registration), unless it has already been taken - then it's the next available digit.

JS

 

You are correct, the glass of wine with lunch clearly had an effect!

 

Slight thread drift James but do you know why it says on the RCTS TOPS listing
98406 actually not used, 31806 became 98428?

 

I've seen 43106 listed as 98406 on a list (it's on Wikipedia so it must be true.....)

Andrew

 

Absolutely no idea! As Andrew says 43106 was given a TOPS number, as it operated in the early 80s, so the U had to take another number. Many quite unlikely locos were also given TOPS numbers, (including at least one 'Thomas') for occasional transit moves on the main line network, as 'dead' vehicles - some are still listed on TOPS.

JS

 

Including 72010 Hengist which was not even built when TOPS was compiled, but it was interesting to find the number already allocated!