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Hi my names Ash and im from north wales. I watch live streams of trains going in and out of stations and look at them on realtime trains for times and codes. In the chatroom people say, oh there's a 56 passing or there's a 37 in at p11, how do they know it's a 56 or a 66 or a 37? How do you tell?

Hi Ash, your location sounds like you have access to both the Chester Holyhead line and the Cambrian.
Locomotive recognition is initially down to body shell design, but to add to the confusion many class upgrades use the same body shells.
You mention 37s, these are quite recognisable from both shape and engine sound but may be confused with the 40s.
However it's all down to experience when it comes to locomotive identification.
Enjoy the forum and feel free to ask any other railway questions.

Can you give me tips on recognising locos please?

Your best bet is to look at the loco number. All the diesel or electric locos in this country have a five-figure number, and the first two digits tell you what type it is. After you've noticed a few you'll begin to recognise the distinctive features of each type.

Hi, type in Google (as an example) "class 37 locomotive" , and read the Wikipedia entry.

Do that for other classes you see (first two digits of loco number for locomotives and first three for multiple units) and before long you will be an expert.;)

Also use YouTube for videos of different classes.

Hi yes i've been watching videos on youtube of 66 locos and 56 locos and i noticed that the 66 locos have a pointed roof whereas the 56 have a curved rounded roof.

I watch the Crewe webcam on youtube and in the chat people talk about what's coming in and their numbers, how do they know the numbers when you can't see the number on the train and before it comes in they know what number it is. For instance a colas was due in so i tuned in to watch it, this guy in the chat said oh a colas 56 is coming in, im thinking how do you know it's a 56? I asked him but he didn't answer.
So frustrating.

This morning i was watching the Crewe webcam and a yellow loco passed, i saw in the chat that someone said that was a 37 and another person said no it was a 97. To add to my frustration, all these train numbers i don't understand. What can i do to learn all these trains and numbers so that when i go on the Crewe webcam i'll know what they're talking about?

Ian Allen ABC http://www.crecy.co.uk/abc-locomotiv...6f547043679969

What book would be good for a beginner?

Yes, that looks a good book to me. This one is purely the locomotives (so is probably the best place to start) - the one I was going to suggest (in the same series) covers all locomotives, multiple units, coaches, wagons and on-track plant:
http://www.crecy.co.uk/abc-rail-guide-2020

Depends how much you want to look into - up to you!

With regard to this, it is largely down to experience I'm afraid - you just get used to want you see all the time (and one of these books would probably help).
And the yellow loco - to add to the confusion, they were both right in some respects. Officially, these are Network Rail class 97s, but were originally built as class 37s and they were re-classified as class 97 when they were transferred into departmental service and refurbished for Network Rail use.

Tony

is there a rail guide available as an e book? Thanks

Ash

It might be an age thing, but as good as internet information is, a good "proper" book is my preference.

My current favourite is my RAIL ATLAS (Great Britain and Ireland) by S.K.Baker.

I've just updated to the 15th edition, and I sit in my chair with it when following YouTube cab ride videos. Some might see that as sad, but I find it fascinating from a railway perspective, and also countryside, industry and places of interest.

In addition to Philip's recommendations, if you look on the internet for British Rail Fleet Survey there are several volumes available, from 1 to 12 covering all motive power.
I think volume 3 will be a good starting point for you. It covers Production Diesel-Electrics Types 4 and 5. ( types relates to the power rating class of the locomotives

I remembered viewing a couple of diesel loco guides on YouTube, so I've gone and found them again for you.

1) British Diesel locomotive Guide 1970 - 2000 Classes 03 to 37

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twarSFjLI7I

2) British Diesel locomotive Guide 1970 - 2000 Classes 56 to 67

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1EnNQG7tKk

That will get you started for the older, and heritage classes. Even class 20 and 37 still get to be seen in daily use.

Brilliant bit of research Philip, I'll be giving the sites a visit during these lock down television sessions. Thanks.

With you on that one Philip.

People often say something like "I went from Tilbury to North Pole jn" and I have to go away and look it up. I can't remember/work out how to do it, and then I kick myself when I see it.

It's funny, when I was younger I loathed History & Geography, and now I can't get enough. Just life's long journey I guess. ;)

Try this one as well,

British Electric & Electro-diesel locomotives 1992-2000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOY9y1ySH64

With the Don Coffey videos being based around Manchester - Leeds - York I've got to know that area quite well in the last few months.His captioned videos are the best and most informative.

A lot of junctions in that area are suffixed with the old (pre 1921 grouping) railway company names like LNW and L & Y. (London & North Western and Lancashire & Yorkshire)

I often leave a comment for Don on YouTube after one of his cab rides. Sometimes I follow the ride with goggle maps to follow train progress.

With a bit of time on my hands today, I've done a bit of research...
I am going to try and list the locomotive types in use on the present day railway, although some of the photos may be of preserved locos for illustration. Also, don't pay too much attention to the liveries, as some of these are not currently used and the photos don't show every different livery.

There are two main types of locomotives in use on Britain's railway network - diesel shunters and main line diesel & electric locomotives. In the past, every major station would have had one or more shunter on station pilot duties, but these days they are confined to marshalling yards and depots and are much reduced in number.
The BR class 08 diesel shunter was introduced in 1952 as a development of the LMS design (BR class 11). The class 08, 09 & 10 were outwardly similar in appearance, but the 08 was the most numerous totalling 996 locomotives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_08
Current operators on the national network include:
Network Rail (NR), Great Western Railway (GWR), Scotrail (ScR), Wabtec, East Midlands Railway (EMR), Freightliner, Eurostar, West Midlands Trains (WMT) & Derby Works. Others are owned by leasing companies including Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC), Rail Support Services (RSS) & Railway Management Services (RMS) - these can be found on hire to mainline railway companies, industrial users or preserved railways.
A large number have also been preserved.

Tony

BR class 20, introduced in 1957. These locomotives have a distinctive long hood with a cab only at one end. Latterly the class 20s were used for Railhead Treatment Trains and for nuclear flask traffic, but they will be relatively rarely seen these days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_20
Direct Rail Services (DRS) still have two class 20s in use, whilst HNRC have a fleet of 9 operational locomotives, plus numerous others either stored or withdrawn.
Locomotive Services Ltd. (LSL) also have 2 class 20s, which are main line registered and could be used on railtours or on hire to other companies.
Around 20 locomotives have also been preserved.

Tony

BR class 37, introduced in 1960. These have a distinctive body shell with noses at each end and this is unique amongst the locomotives still in regular use (although you might catch a preserved class 40 or 55 ('Deltic') on railtour duty). The rebuilt 37s which now run as Network Rail class 97/3 also share the same body shell, but these are painted bright yellow!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_37

Current main line operators of the class 37 include Colas Rail, Rail Operations Group (ROG) & DRS, plus HNRC have members of the class for hire to the main line operators. West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) & LSL both have operational main line registered class 37s, used mainly for railtours.
More than 30 class 37s have been preserved.

Tony

The BR class 47 was once one of the most numerous on British Rail, but numbers are now quite low.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_47

Current operators include Great British Railfreight (GBRf) (3 locomotives), Freightliner (1 loco) & ROG (6 locos). WCRC, LSL & Vintage Trains (VT) have class 47s which are used on main line railtours.
More than 30 class 47s have also been preserved.

Tony

BR class 56, introduced in 1976. A number of these were built in Romania to the British Rail Engineering Limited design.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_56

The main operators of the class 56 are Colas Rail & GBRf.
Only 3 locomotives are currently preserved.

Tony

The class 57 are rebuilds of class 47 locomotives and so appear outwardly very similar. The rebuilds took place from 1998-2004 and included different engines and traction alternators to the originals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_57

Current operators include DRS, GWR & ROG, plus WCRC has a fleet of class 57s primarily for railtour work.

Tony

The class 59 were the first class of locomotives built by General Motors Electromotive Division (GM-EMD) in the USA for use in Britain, the first five being ordered by Foster Yeoman to haul their stone trains on BR. In total, 15 were built between 1985-1995 for three different operators.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_57
All 15 are still operational with all but one now owned by Freightliner. The other locomotive (No.59003) is part of the GBRf fleet.

Tony

BR class 60, introduced in 1989. After mass withdrawals, a significant number have been returned to service with DB Cargo (DBC), GBRf and spot-hire company DCRail.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_60

Tony

The class 66, introduced in 1998, is now the most numerous in operation on Britain's railways. Like the class 59, it was built in the USA by GM-EMD and is a development of the class 59. Because of this, they share some design details and look outwardly similar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_66
Current operators include GBRf, DBC, DRS, Freightliner & Colas Rail

Tony

As always Tony, great source of information. Cheers.

The class 67 were built by Alstom in Valencia, Spain and introduced in 1999. A total of 30 were built and all still survive, although a number of the locomotives are currently stored.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_67

The majority are operated by DBC, with 2 locomotives operated by Colas Rail.

Tony

The class 68 locomotives were built in Spain between 2013-2017, totalling 34 locomotives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_68

They are operated by Trans-Pennine Express (TPE), Chiltern Railways & DRS.

Tony

Thanks Tony for all your efforts, interesting reading.

Cheers John

The class 70 are another American design, built by General Electric, Pennsylvania between 2008-2017.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britis...ass_70_(diesel)

37 locomotives have been produced and are operated by Freightliner & Colas Rail.

Tony

The BR class 73s are Electro-diesels, meaning they are bi-mode locomotives which can run on diesel power or via the Southern Region's third rail electric supply. Some have been rebuilt with different engines and designated class 73/9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_73

The bulk of the active class 73 fleet is operated by GBRf, plus locomotives in use with Network Rail, Southern, South Western Railway & Transmart Trains (on hire at Eastleigh Works).

Tony

BR class 86 are AC electric locomotives, introduced in 1965.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_86

Freightliner still operate a fleet of class 86s, plus WCRC & LSL have members of the class available for railtour work.

Tony

The class 88, introduced in 2015, are bi-mode locomotives and can operate on diesel power or AC electric via the overhead lines. The class 88 share the same boy shell as the class 68 and so are identical in appearance, apart from the pantograph fitted to the top of the class 88 for use with the overhead lines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_88

Ten locomotives have been built and are operated by DRS.

Tony

The class 90s are AC electrics, introduced in 1987.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_90

Members of the class are operated by DBC & Freightliner, plus LSL have two locos (Nos.90001 & 90002) for use on railtours.

Tony

The class 92 locomotives are dual voltage electric locomotives and can run using the 25kv AC overhead lines or the 750v DC third rail on the former Southern Region.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_92

Current operators in the UK are DBC & GBRf, plus others have been exported to Bulgaria & Croatia.

Tony

Finally, the class 97/3 (as mentioned in one of your early posts) are four locomotives refurbished and reclassified from class 37s. They retain their class 37 body shell, so they look identical except that they are bright yellow!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britis...%E2%80%9397304

The four locos (Nos.97301-97304) are operated by Network Rail, mainly on test trains.

Tony

Thanks John, just thought this might help Ash out with his request.

Tony

Thanks MC. Just did some research on these locos to see if will help Ash with his request. I'm much more of a steam man really, but like to keep a bit up to date as well!:)

Tony