Freight Operations

• Symbology Lesson - A primer on IC train symbols
• Destination Codes - An alphabetical reference to station codes
• Current Intermodal Trains - A list of intermodal symbols and their routes.
• Current Manifest Trains - In alphabetical order by symbol.
• Common Coal Trains - Recent contract and spot moves of unit coal
• Common Grain Trains - Typical train sets and destinations for grain
• Proposed CN/IC new freight trains  

Symbology Lesson

Illinois Central uses an alpha-code symbol system, something akin to Union Pacific's.  In fact, IC uses TCS as their operational traffic management and inventory system, developed by UP Technologies.  The symbols are generally derived using a freight category prefix, origin/destination codes, and a date suffix.  But it's not that easy.  Each freight category has a different syntax.  Add to that the ever-changing marketplace where traffic rises and falls-- old trains are eliminated, new ones created. 

Where xx is an origin/destination code, nn is a number, and dd is a date.

Unit Grain Trains

Unit grain trains start with a "G" prefix.  On loaded grain trains (traditionally southbound) the origin code is usually a customer fleet set, denoting a set of cars in regular captive service, such as "CG1" indicating Cargill train set #1.  Though in some cases, a normal origin code is used, like "PA" for Paxton, Ill.  The destination code is often a processing location or barge transload facility.  On empty hopper trains, the origin and destination codes follow more geographically where the train is actually going, though many trains are often split up to be spotted at multiple grain elevators.  In this case, the nearest destination may be used.  For example, GBRCP-25 might be an empty hopper set from Baton Rouge on the 25th to Champaign, with cars to be spotted at Gilman, Paxton, and Thomasboro elevators.  Refer to the section below for Common Grain Trains and their symbols.

Intermodal Trains

Intermodal trains start with an "I" prefix.  No destination codes are used, just numbers.  Odd numbers are southbound (or westbound) and even numbers are northbound (or eastbound).  I-01-04   would be the Chicago-New Orleans hotshot leaving on the 4th.  Refer to the section below for Current Intermodal Trains listed by symbol.

Local Trains

Locals start with an "L" prefix and use standard origin/destination codes.   Locals may operate as a one-way "wayfreight" or as a turn, returning to its point of origin, though there is no way to tell by the symbol alone.  For turns, the destination codes indicate the turning point.  Thus, the LMEBA-13 is a local turn out of Memphis to Batesville, Miss. returning to Memphis.

Unit Potash Trains

Unit Potash trains are treated much the same as unit grain or coal trains, except with a leading "P" prefix.  Origins and destinations vary, though most originate out of Chicago (CH) and are destined for a large facility or barge loading.  For example, PCHMC-11 might be a CN potash train interchanged at Chicago, and destined for the Consolidated Grain & Barge transload facility at Mound City, Illinois.

Road Switchers

The Illinois Central has a unique arrangement such that there are no yard assignments in and around major terminals.  All switching and transfer work is handled by Road Switchers.  (The CC&P is an exception to this.)  Road switchers are a combination local and yard switcher.  Some assignments switch the yard, while others serve nearby industries.  Road switchers start with an "R" prefix, have a two-letter yard code, two digit assignment number, and date.  For example, RMK09-17 is a Markham road switcher commonly known as "Job 9", which is responsible for switching the Moyers Intermodal Terminal.

Unit Coal Trains

Unit coal trains start with a "U" prefix.  The "U" class also encompasses any other unit aggregate train, such as rock, coke, ore, etc.  The origin/destination coding can be somewhat more cryptic.  Most mines have an origin code of their own.  Some western coal is received from BNSF or UP, but sometimes a "BN" or "UP" code is used, other times the interchange point such as "ME" for Memphis is used.  Destination codes may also be specific to a plant or dock such as "NIW" for NIPSCO's Wheatfield, Ind. plant which is interchanged to Conrail at Kankakee, Ill.  Other times only an interchange or junction point is specified such as "EV" for Evanston, Miss. where coal is interchanged to the Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE).  Refer to the section below for some Common Coal Trains and their symbols.

Work Trains/MOW

Work trains start with a "W" prefix.  The "W" class can include everything non-revenue, from a ribbon-rail train, to a tie or ballast train, or even just a simple Burro crane with a flat car.  Work train symbols usually will have the limits of the work as its origin/destination.  For example, WCPMA-12 is a work train working between Champaign, Ill. and Mattoon, Ill.

Yard Assignments

Because of labor agreements, only the CC&P has yard assignments.  The IC has only road switchers (see above).  With the absorption of CC&P operations, the yard jobs at Hawthorne (Cicero, Ill.), Wallace (Freeport, Ill.), Waterloo, and all other yards were assigned Y-series symbols.  These are just like the Road Switcher symbols, using a two-letter yard code, two-digit assignment number, and date.  For example, YHW01-29 would be the yard assignment #1 for Hawthorne Yard.

Manifests

Manifest trains use the plain-old origin-destination scheme with no prefix.  This can be tricky to decipher if the origin starts with one of the other prefix characters.   For the most part, manifest trains will only have a four character symbol and date, such as JACH-31.  Another anomaly of IC manifests is that many trains do not have an exact counterpart.  For example, between Chicago and Jackson, Miss.  Refer to the section below for Current Manifest Trains listed alphabetically by symbol.

Destination Codes

Current Intermodal Trains

Current Manifest Trains (Alphabetical by Train ID)

Seen or heard a train not listed here?  Send in your observations!

Common Coal Trains

Seen or heard a train not listed here?  Send in your observations!

Common Grain Trains

The grain symbols are provided as samples to better understand traffic flow and symbols.  This list is in no way complete.

Seen or heard a train not listed here?  Send in your observations!

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Page last updated: June 07, 2000
Comments or questions?  Site maintained by Erik Coleman.
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