Etymology

From head +‎ codeCategory:English compound terms#HEADCODE.

Noun

headcode (plural headcodes)Category:English lemmas#HEADCODECategory:English nouns#HEADCODECategory:English countable nouns#HEADCODECategory:English entries with incorrect language header#HEADCODECategory:Pages with entries#HEADCODECategory:Pages with 1 entry#HEADCODE

1. (rail transportCategory:en:Rail transportation#HEADCODE, UKCategory:British English#HEADCODE) A code used to distinguish classes of train for the benefit of signalmen, formerly by using white oil lamps (or white discs) placed on brackets on the front of the locomotive. The various lamp positions defined the class of train.
   • 1961 July, “New reading on railways: The Locomotives of the South Eastern & Chatham Railway, by D. L. Bradley”, in Trains Illustrated, page vii:

     Another appendix elucidates the S.E.C.R. headcode system.

     Category:English terms with quotations#HEADCODE

   • 2022 November 2, Paul Bigland, “New trains, old trains, and splendid scenery”, in RAIL, number 969, page 59:

     Gaining a new headcode, it is then rebranded as the 2103 Carmarthen-Fishguard Harbour - a place I'd never visited by rail.

     Category:English terms with quotations#HEADCODE

Further reading

• Train reporting number on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• codehead, coheaded