Predecessors to Possession Resource Information Database (PRIDE)/Line Of Route (LOR) codes

Western

These codes were in use from June 1992 in the Western Region weekly notices. It can be seen that many of the codes are of a similar form to the later PRIDE codes. The only lines coded were those in the Western Region: other regions' routes were collated in a 'working over' book (denoting non-Western routes over which Western-based drivers may work) and these are shown below. The prefix letters appear to be derived thus:

FWA = Freight Wales area FWE = Freight West of England area GW = InterCity Great Western NTC = Network SouthEast Thames & Chilterns RC = Regional Railways central area RSW = Regional Railways South Wales area RWE = Regional Railways West of England area XC = InterCity CrossCountry

The codes clearly apply to British Rail's profit centres, when each centre had responsibility for those routes where it was the prime user.

Western 'working over' book

Non-Western routes over which Western drivers may work were given their own codes. They were clearly based primarily on freight use (e.g. F1, Southcote Junction to Marchwood). Once the operational practicalities and processes post-privatisation associated with multiple train companies became understood, the 'working over' book was withdrawn and each zone's notices were issued instead.

Western numeric codes

These purely numeric codes preceded those above. These were introduced in May 1958 and remained in use until 1992. The system appears to have had a thorough overhaul around 1971 to simplify it and account for lines closed or transferred to other regions. Other tweaks took place as required.

1970s list

1992 list