Narrow Gauge Freight Wagons Inscriptions

[RailwayManiac]

Hello everybody,

Can anyone explain me what mean such inscriptions like I12, P16 or Z14 ?

Is the letter the first letter of the Greek word for Open top, Tank and Covered wagons ? And what about the numbers ?

Thanks for answering !

Best regards,

Christophe

[christo]

STANDARD GAUGE

The Greek rolling stock inscriptions comprise of the following upper case letters of the Greek alphabet, singly or in combination:
Α Β Γ Δ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω
The letters for the passenger stock is followed by either of these two lower case letters:
φ ρ
The letters for the goods stock is followed by any of these four lower case letters:
κ π τ σ

Passenger carriages

Α 1st class
Β 2nd class
Γ 3rd class
Δ Baggage cars
ΔΕ Baggage Post cars
Ε Post cars
ΕΣ Hospital cars
Π Luxury VIP cars
Υ Staff cars

φ Bogie carriages
ρ Carriages with 3 axles

Goods wagons

Ζ Closed box cars
Η Cage (animal) cars
Θ
Ι Open cars with high sides
Κ Open cars with low sides
Λ Hopper cars
Μ Open cars with movable sides
Ν Open (flat) cars with no sides
Ξ
Ο Fruit cars
Ρ Tank cars
Σ Ballast cars
ΣΓ Line workshop cars
ΣΕ Staff workshop cars
ΣΥ Drivers cars
Τ Cranes
Φ Flat (container) cars
Χ Bogies (articulated) cars
Ψ Refrigerator cars
Ω

κ Vacuum brakes
π Air brakes
τ Mechanical (hand) brakes
σ Vacuum and Air brakes continuous

I assume that all other gauges in Greece used the same coding but an expert on the narrow gauge would be required to confirm. Interesting that Θ and Χ are used on SPAP for gondolas. BarbaP please feel free to move.

christo.

[RailwayManiac]

Hi Christo,

Very interesting ! Many thanks !

So, if I understand well, the letter is not the first letter of the wagon type. For example, "Ρ" (Tank cars) is not the first letter of "δεξαμενή". It is just a code.

But what I found curious is that all the two axle open top wagon are "I12" even there are two very different types.

Best regards,

Christophe