Railway 'telegraph' codewords
The following is taken from booklet BR30064. Most of the codes are no longer in regular
use though some are still in everyday use. Thanks to Andy Veitch for providing this
information.
Preface:
The code words for phrases in regular use contained in this booklet must be used, where
applicable in messages transmitted via the National Teleprinter Network, Telex or TOPS,
but not in messages to members of the public.
Acceptance/Restriction:
- BYRAG The following traffic may be accepted by arrangement only
- DAGGER Until the assent of "....." is obtained
- GOOSE Stop accepting following until further advised
- GOSLING Cease forwarding the following until further notice
- NOTCH Cannot accept owing to.......
- RESPAC Resume acceptance of traffic in strictly normal quantities for........
- RESPOND You may resume forwarding following
- SLASH Stop accepting until further advised coal and coke to............
- THROSTLE Keep on hand for my order
- WING Following still coming forward. Make stop effective at once.
Train Working:
- ALERT Provide conductor between points named for Guard of........
- CAPE Undermentioned train(s) will not run. Advise all concerned.
- CICERO Special train(s) will run as under. Advise all concerned.
- CREOLE Arrange to work forward.
- EGER Provide conductor between points named for Driver of........
- FOCUS Arrange to strengthen the undermentioned train or trains shown.
- HUMPEX Wagons or loads not to pass over shunting humps
- PINE Train(s) as under terminate(d) short of destination
- SHUNTEX Not to be loose shunted over a hump or along the flat
- SKUNK Secure connection with......
- SPATE Trains between the following points may run at ordinary speed on and after date
named. Withdraw restriction.
- SPEDWAY Speed of trains required to be reduced to undermentioned miles per hour between
following points on and after date named. Arrange and reply.
- TURBOT Be prepared to deal with following on undermentioned train
- URE It is important for following reason that undermentioned trains should be worked
punctually. Do all that is necessary, so far as you are concerned.
Exceptional Load:
- AJAX No train signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be allowed on running lines or sidings on
both sides of load. To be signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-2.
- BLOCSID The adjoining lines to be blocked when working from running line to siding and
vice versa.
- BLOX All adjoining lines to be blocked when using crossovers, junctions and running
connections.
- CARBON Can the following travel between points named?
- CAWCROS Extreme caution must be exercised when passing from main line to loops and
sidings and vice versa and when in loops and sidings
- CAWSTAB Should the load require to be recessed, great care must be taken to ensure that
the load will clear structures and traffic on adjacent tracks
- CENEND Loaded centrally, equally ended and suitably under-run.
- CHROME May travel as described subject to following restrictions
- COLOC Private locomotive, cold, weight ..... tonnes, travelling on own wheels from .....
to ..... per ..... Arrange forward working.
- CONFLICT No train conveying passengers or signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be allowed on
the running lines and/or sidings mentioned on either side of the load. To be signalled by
the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- DUB May travel as described without restriction
- EXLO Exceptional load with speed or route restrictions only. To be signalled by the
special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-1-6.
- FABRIC Must not exceed speed of ...mph at/between ......
- GARON Undermentioned may travel as described
- GOBI The following routing must be observed
- HAZARD Running lines and/or sidings mentioned on both sides of the load to be clear. To
be signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- JOAN Running lines and/or sidings mentioned on the left-hand side of the load looking in
the direction of travel must be clear, and no train signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be
allowed on the running lines and/or sidings on the right-hand side of the load. To be
signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- KIMBO Excess must be kept to .... side throughout
- LACER Must not use crossovers between platforms
- LAKE Inspector to accompany between
- LEFPAS No train conveying passengers must be allowed on the running lines and/or sidings
mentioned on the left-hand side of the load looking in the direction of travel, and no
train signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be allowed on the running lines and/or sidings on both
sides of the load. To be signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- LONGLO Long-welded rail train that does not require the imposition of conditions of
travel.
- LONGPROJ Within the provisions of the standard instructions and tables for long and
projecting loads in Section D3, Table D1, Green Pages, Working Manual.
- LONPROJAX Within the provisions of the standard instructions and tables for long and
projecting loads in Section D3, Table D2, Green Pages, Working Manual.
- MARFOR To be marshalled next to the locomotive or immediately behind the fitted head
- MARREAR To be marshalled next to the rear brakevan
- NOCLE Insufficient clearances exist at the following:.......
- NOG Not to pass under load gauges
- NOTCH Cannot accept owing to ......
- NOTRAMO Not to travel more than .... (add to code "30 miles" or whatever
distance is imposed) without stopping for examination by Guard or accompanying Inspector.
- OGLO Out-of-gauge load where running lines or sidings need not be clear between points
mentioned. To be signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-1.
- OPPOS Running lines and/or sidings mentioned on the right-hand side of the load looking
in the direction of travel must be clear, and no train signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be
allowed on the running lines and/or sidings on the left-hand side of the load. To be
signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- RIGPAS No train conveying passengers must be allowed on the running lines and/or sidings
mentioned on the right-hand side of the load looking in the direction of travel, and no
train signalled 2-6-2 or 2-6-3 must be allowed on the running lines and/or sidings on both
sides of the load. To be signalled by the special 'Is Line Clear?' signal 2-6-3.
- ROAR All concerned have agreed to conveyance of ....... dimensions as follows from .....
to .......
- SAVO Crossovers at the following places not to be used
- SULTAN Train conveying load must travel on ..... line as follows
- WINGAGEX Within gauge in all respects except for ......
Miscellaneous:
- BULLET Bullion by following train for (*) consisting of (+). Watch specially during
transfer at your station/arrival and delivery. (* - insert consignee's name and
destination station, + insert number and description of packages).
- CABBAGE Do you agree to following?
- CHIK Following missing, urgently wanted. Have special enquiries made and if with you
forward immediately and reply
- COMEX Following commercial explosives
- COTTON Following military explosives
- CUCKOO You will receive following from....
- CURRANT Your enquiry respecting following, I agree
- CYRUS Have matter put right at once
- EARWIG Following urgently required
- EIDER Following said handed you by the undermentioned not reached destination. Trace
forward by wire, and advise me result, with full particulars. If necessary see senders.
- FALCON No trace of receiving the following
- FUNGUS No trace of forwarding the following
- FURNO Until further notice
- HAWK Following delivered on date named, and signed for by ......
- HOLLY Following now in order
- MOSELLE Give matter special attention
- NILE Following not to hand
- OHIO Send on all speed
- POD Advise date and proof of delivery
- RELIANCE Relying on your concurrence I have agreed
- SAP Keep me well advised
- SLATTERN Cannot agree to your proposal
- TAGUS Following hence today
- TICK Following stopped for repairs
- WESER Say what arrangements have been made
- WILLOW I will make all necessary arrangements
- WORGAN Following work will now not be carried out. Cancel all arrangements
Passenger trains:
- ADEX Advertised day excursion
- AMBPASS Withdraw notice intimating that restricted train service is in operation, but
continue to exhibit 'WARNPASS' notice.
- AXIS Reserve following accommodation
- BAY Passengers in undermentioned train for .....
- BERSEC Reserve second class sleeping berth in two berth compartment for ..... ACK.
- CHARTER Guaranteed Excursion
- CICERO Special train/s will run as under. Advise all concerned.
- COG Accommodation has been reserved
- CUTTLE Unable to reserve accommodation as requested
- DUEDEST Arrival time at destination will be .....
- EMCAR Special empty carriages
- FOOTEX BR sponsored football train
- HALFEX Halfday excursion
- HOOK Reserve first class compartment(s) in undermentioned train
- INVAL Have invalid chair meet undermentioned train hence
- MYSTEX Mystery excursion
- PARSPEC Unadvertised party special
- RESSEC Reserve second class seat(s) in undermentioned train
- RESUMP Cancel 'WARNPASS' message. Working now in order.
- REZONE Reserve first class seat(s) in undermentioned train
- SLEBO Reserve first class sleeping berth for ..... ACK
- SLOG Advise arrival time destination
- SYMBOL Reserve second class compartment(s) in undermentioned train
- WARNPASS Mishap has occurred at ..... (location). Exhibit delay notice and warn
passengers of possible delay / diversion.
Communication:
- ACK Acknowledge receipt
- AMBER Cancel my communication respecting ....
- ARNO Undermentioned notice received
- ARROW Reply on following subject
- DEBRIS I will advise you further
- DEDIMUS Have you communicated with us in error
- DERWENT Your communication upon following subject received and has attention
- FONET My/our telephone communication of ... (give date)
- GOLO My/our teleprint of ..... (give date)
- KALE My/our letter of ..... (give date)
- OBDOS Obtain details from Divisional Control
- REDE Arrange and advise all concerned
- SPENO See special notice .... (insert No.) hence today
- WALNUT Make all necessary arrangements, as far as you are concerned
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