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.

Class Wagon type 1st digit of type no. (5th digit of UIC no.)
E Ordinary open high-sided wagon5
F Special open high-sided wagon6
G Ordinary covered wagon1
H Special covered wagon2
I Refrigerated van8
K Ordinary flat wagon with separate axles3
L Special flat wagon with separate axles4
O Open multi-purpose wagon (composite open high-sided flat wagon)3
R Ordinary flat wagon with bogies3
S Special flat wagon with bogies4
T Goods wagon with opening roof0 (before 1988: 5)
U Special wagons9
Z Tank wagon7

Index letters

International index letters

Classes Meaning
a E, F, G, H, I, T, U, Z4 wheelsets[note 1]
L, O3 wheelsets
S6 wheelsets
aa E, F, G, H, T, U, Z≥ 6 wheelsets[note 1]
L≥ 4 wheelsets
S≥ 8 wheelsets
b FWagon with separate wheelsets[2] and a volume greater than 45 m3 (1,600 cu ft)
GWagon with separate wheelsets and of 12 m (39 ft 4+12 in) length or more and 70 m2 (750 sq ft) loading area
HWagon with separate wheelsets and of length 12–14 m (39 ft 4+12 in – 45 ft 11+18 in), 70 m3 (2,500 cu ft) volume, may be less for ferry wagons (f)
IWagon separate wheelsets and loading area 22–27 m2 (240–290 sq ft)
TWagon with separate wheelsets and length over 12 m (39 ft 4+12 in)
G, TBogie wagon with loading length of 18 m (59 ft 58 in) or more
HBogie wagon with loading length 18–22 m (59 ft 58 in – 72 ft 2+18 in)
KBogie wagon with long stakes
L, STransporter for medium-sized containers
bb HBogie wagon with loading length of 22 m (72 ft 2+18 in) or more
IWagon with separate wheelsets and loading area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft) or more22 m (72 ft 2+18 in) or more
HBogie wagon with loading length of 22 m (72 ft 2+18 in) or more
c EDischarging trap on the wagon floor
FControllable gravity discharging wagon. Underside of floor ≥70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails
H, TDoor in front wall
IMeat hooks
L, SCradle
U, ZCompressed air or air blast discharging system
cc FControllable gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor <70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails
HDoor in end wall and interior equipment for the transportation of motor vehicles
d HFloor trap
IFor sea fish
L, SFor transportation of motor vehicles on one level
T, UControllable gravity discharge hopper, Underside of floor ≥770 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails[note 2]
dd T, UControllable gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor <70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails, cannot be used with lifting equipment [note 2]
e HTwo levels
IElectrical forced-air heating
L, SDouble-decker wagon for motor vehicles
RFolding sides
TDoor height over 1.90 m (6 ft 2+34 in)
ZHeating equipment
ee HMore than 2 levels
f F, H, I, L, O, S, T, U, ZGreat Britain loading gauge, suitable for ferries and channel tunnel
ff F, H, I, L, O, S, T, U, ZGreat Britain loading gauge, suitable for channel tunnel only
fff F, H, I, L, O, S, T, U, ZGreat Britain loading gauge, suitable for ferries only
g G, H, T, UFor grain
IRefrigerated van with cooling equipment
K, L, RFor container transport
SFor containers up to 60 feet
ZFor sealed or liquified gases or gas dissolved under pressure
gg IRefrigerated van, cooled with liquid gas
SFor containers up to 80 feet
h G, HFor early vegetables
IWith thick insulation
L, R, S, TFor sheet metal coils laid horizontally
hh L, R, S, TFor sheet metal coils laid vertically
i H, TOpening side walls (sliding walls)
IRefrigerated van with refrigerator on trailer wagon
K, L, R, SFixed front wall, movable top cover
ULow-loading platform
ZNon-metal containers
ii HHigh-strength sliding walls
ITechnical trailer
k E, F, G, H, K, L(a), O, T, U, ZMaximum load on class C route: m < 20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons)
Ea, Fa, Ga, Ha, Laa, R, S, Ta, Ua, ZaMaximum load on class C route: m < 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons)
Eaa, Faa, Gaa, Haa, Sa(a), Taa, Uaa, ZaaMaximum load on class C route: m < 50 t (49 long tons; 55 short tons)[note 3]
IMaximum load on class C route: m < 15 t (15 long tons; 17 short tons)
IaMaximum load on class C route: m < 30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons)
kk E, F, G, H, K, L(a), O, T, U, ZMaximum load on class C route: 20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons) ≤ m < 25 t (25 long tons; 28 short tons)[note 4]
Ea, Fa, Ga, Ha, Laa, R, S, Ta, Ua, ZaMaximum load on class C route: 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons) ≤ m < 50 t (49 long tons; 55 short tons)[note 4]
Eaa, Faa, Gaa, Haa, Sa(a), Taa, Uaa, ZaaMaximum load on class C route: 50 t (49 long tons; 55 short tons) ≤ m < 60 t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)[note 4]
l ENot tippable
F, T, ULoose (i.e. not controllable) gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor ≥70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails [note 2]
GUp to 8 cm (3+532 in) ventilation space
HWith movable partitions (from 1 May 1994)
IInsulated wagon without ice chests
K, L, O, R, SNo stakes
ll F, T, ULoose gravity discharge hopper; underside of floor <70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails
No lifting gear allowed[note 2]
HWith lockable partitions (from 1 May 1994)
m ELoading length[note 5][note 6]: l < 7.7 m (25 ft 3+18 in)
Ea(a)Loading length: l < 12 m (39 ft 4+12 in)
G, H, TLoading length[note 5][note 6]: l < 9 m (29 ft 6+38 in)
Ga(a), Ha(a), Ta(a)Loading length: l < 15 m (49 ft 2+12 in)
ILoading area: A < 19 m2 (200 sq ft)
IaLoading area: A < 39 m2 (420 sq ft)
K, O, LLoading length[note 5][note 6]: 9 m (29 ft 6+38 in) ≤ l < 12 m (39 ft 4+12 in)
R, SLoading length[note 5][note 6]: 15 m (49 ft 2+12 in) ≤ l < 18 m (59 ft 58 in)
La(a), Sa(a)Loading length: 18 m (59 ft 58 in) ≤ l < 22 m (72 ft 2+18 in)
mm K, O, LLoading length[note 5][note 7]: l < 9 m (29 ft 6+38 in)
R, SLoading length[note 5][note 7]: l < 15 m (49 ft 2+12 in)
La(a), Sa(a)Loading length: l < 18 m (59 ft 58 in)
n IMaximum load on class C route: m > 25 t (25 long tons; 28 short tons)[note 4]
HMaximum load on class C route: m > 28 t (28 long tons; 31 short tons)[note 4]
E, G, K, L, TMaximum load on class C route: m > 30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons)[note 4]
F, O, U, ZMaximum load on class C route: m > 30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons) for twin-axled wagons / m > 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons) for three-axled wagons[note 4]
Ia, Lamaximum load at limit of load C: m > 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons)[note 4]
Ea, Fa, Ga, Ha, Laa, R, S, Ta, Ua, ZaMaximum load on class C route: m > 60 t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)
Eaa, Faa, Gaa, Haa, Sa(a), Taa, Uaa, ZaaMaximum load on class C route: m > 60 t (59 long tons; 66 short tons)
o ENot end-tipping
F, T, ULoose gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor ≥70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails. Lifting gear not usable
G, HTwin-axled with loading length under 12 m (39 ft 4+12 in) and more than 70 m3 (2,500 cu ft) loading area
IIce chests under 3.5 m3 (120 cu ft)
KFixed sides
RFixed end walls under 2 m (6 ft 6+34 in)
SArticulated wagon with three twin-axled bogies
oo F, T, ULoose gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor <70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails. Lifting gear cannot be used
RFixed end walls over 2 m (6 ft 6+34 in) high
p F, T, ULoose gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor ≥70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails. Lifting gear cannot be used
INo slatted floor
K, L, SNo sides
RNo end wall
pp F, T, ULoose gravity discharge hopper. Underside of floor <70 cm (27+12 in) above top of rails. Lifting gear cannot be used
K, RRemovable sides
q all Electrical heating pipes for all permitted types of power
qq all Electrical heating pipes and heating equipment for all permitted types of power
r all Steam heating pipes[note 8]
rr all Steam heating pipes and equipment[note 8]
r SArticulated wagon[note 9]
s all Permitted in trains up to 100 km/h (62 mph)
ss all Permitted in trains up to 120 km/h (75 mph)
  1. 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Up to 1979 both wagons with metered as well as those with loose gravity discharge were designated with a d.
  3. In version of the classification scheme valid up to 1979 there was also a load limit 40 t.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 1 2 3 4 In the original 1965 version m was only intended for classes E, G, I, K, O, R.
  7. 1 2 In the original 1965 version mm was only intended for classes K, O, R.
  8. 1 2 The index letter could be dropped in 1980, but was sometimes displayed beyond that date.
  9. 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 HDaberkow transport protection equipment (to 30 April 1994)
Linside loading width at the ends under 2.45 m
tt HLockable partitions (to 30 April 1994)
u E, F, SHydraulic tipping system
G, H, I, K, L, TSteam heating pipes
v allElectrical heating pipes for 1,000 or 1,500 volts
vv allElectrical heating pipes and heating equipment for 1,000 or 1,500 volts
w G, H, SFull spark protection covering
ww allSpark protection plate to UIC standard 543
x EWith steel floor (from 1 January 1994)
z FDumper wagon
HWagons for Leig-Einheit units
TWagons used as Td or Tdg
zz FbBucket wagon

Country code 85: SBB

(Switzerland)

Classes Meaning
t allline feeder (10 bar or 1,000 kPa or 150 psi)
u FElectro-hydraulic dumping system
HCooling system
v allElectrical heating pipes 1000 V 1623 ~
w R, S, UMovable handbrake railings and screw brake spindle (removable/folding)
ww HSpark protection plate to UIC standard 543
x H2-axled drum brake
S, LACTS rotating frame
y HInsulated
FSmaller loading area (<20 m3 or 710 cu ft)
R, SDisc brakes
z G, HWith 12-core UIC cable

See also

Footnotes and references

  1. 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)
  2. i.e. not a bogie wagon
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