UIC wagon numbers


Wagon numbers are key data for railway operations. They enable a railway wagon or coach to be positively identified and form a common language between railway operators, infrastructure companies and the state authorities. The system of wagon numbering has been laid down by the International Union of Railways and is similar to that used for the locomotives and multiple units. Vehicle numbering is now governed by the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail and in Technical Specifications for Interoperability of the European Union.
The complete wagon number comprises 12 digits. The individual digits have the following meaning:
Digits 1-2:Type of vehicle and indication of the interoperability capacity
Digits 3-4:Country Code
Digits 5-8:Vehicle type information
Digits 9-11:Individual running number
Digit 12:Self-check digit

Placement of the code

As shown on the photographs at right, the code may be arranged either vertically on three or more lines at man's height with the letter codes next to the corresponding part of the digit code, or horizontally at the bottom of the chassis side with all digits together and all letters together. It is always found on both sides of the wagon, not on the front or back.

Calculation of the self-check digit

The digits are multiplied individually from right to left alternately by 2 and 1, and digit summed using the Luhn algorithm. The difference between this sum and the next multiple of ten is the check digit, placed after the eleventh digit, separated by a dash.

Examples

Wagon number: 21 81 2471 217
2 1 – 8 1 – 2 4 7 1 2 1 7
multiplying by
2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
gives
4 1 16 1 4 4 14 1 4 1 14
digit sum
4 1 7 1 4 4 5 1 4 1 5 sum = 37, next multiple of ten = 40 => check digit = 3
Wagon number: 51 80 0843 001
5 1 8 0 0 8 4 3 0 0 1
multiplying by
2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
gives
10 1 16 0 0 8 8 3 0 0 2
digit sum
1 1 7 0 0 8 8 3 0 0 2 sum = 30, next multiple of ten = 30 => check digit = 0

Country code

At the beginning of 2006 the country replaced the owner, with the owner now indicated by following letters. For example, for a vehicle registered in Germany on the AAE, which had its own code as a private railway, "68 AAE" became "80 D-AAE".

Reading of numbers

Numbers are read visually, the method of choice today. No railway is able to read the number automatically with the required reliability. Using OCR readers the numbering can be only be read to an accuracy of no better than 5%.

Numbering systems

The UIC has the following numbering systems, as detailed in leaflets:
These agreements have not yet achieved the status of a standard or norm.