Unit Numbering
Unit numbers were allocated in a series commencing from 1001, which followed the set numbers given to semi-fixed formations of hauled coaching stock, 1-1000. Different types of unit were given numbers according to the following division:
| 1001–1200 | Unpowered trailer units for working with 3SUB stock (this series was later expanded to include unit numbers 989-1000) |
| 1201-1800 | 3SUB stock (ex-LSWR units had 1200 added to their original number) |
| 1801–1999 | Two-car inner-suburban stock (e.g. 2NOL) |
| 2001-2899 | Two-car outer-suburban stock (e.g. 2BIL) |
| 2901-3999 | Four-, five- and six-car outer-suburban stock (e.g. 4LAV) |
| 4001-4999 | Four-car inner-suburban stock (4SUB and 4DD) |
| 5001-5599 | British Railways four-car inner-suburban stock (4EPB) |
| 5601-6999 | British Railways two-car stock (e.g. 2HAP) |
| 7001-7999 | British Railways four-car outer-suburban stock (e.g. 4CIG) |
| 8001 | Temporary eight-car formation (8VAB) |
| S1-S101 | Departmental (non-revenue earning) stock |
This series was perpetuated by the Southern Region of BR, though with modifications, as older set numbers were reused for the following different types:
| 001-099 | Parcels and departmental stock (Former Sxxx units renumbered into this series) |
| 301-999 | Trailer Control stock (first digit indicated number of cars, e.g. 301 = 3TC) |
| 1001-1499 | Diesel Electric Multiple Units (e.g. 6S) |
The 2PEP stock reused number 2001, the 4REP stock reused numbers from 3001 and the 4PEP stock reused numbers 4001/4002. This series was abandoned only in 1983, when units were renumbered to fit in with the TOPS classification system, which had nominally been in use for a decade. Even then, many units only displayed the last four digits of their TOPS number, dropping the first two digits - e.g. unit 412 301 would have the number "2301" applied. Only with later units and the 2xx series DEMUs were the full numbers shown, e.g. Classes 456, 465 and 466, along with some Class 455 sets, carry full 6-digit numbers.
Read more about this topic: Southern Railway Multiple Unit Numbering And Classification
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