Motorized Vehicle Naming Convention

All motorized rail vehicles in Derail Valley are named according to a particular naming convention, such as DE2-260, S282-730B and such. These names consist of different designations grouped together, respectively:

1. Powertrain Type

Represented by abbreviation of the powertrain type , as follows:

DM – Diesel-Mechanical
DH – Diesel-Hydraulic
DE – Diesel-Electric
BE – Battery-Electric
WE – Wire-Electric
S – Steam

2. Wheel Arrangement

On diesel and electric vehicles, wheel arrangement is represented by the number of powered axles . Unpowered axles are not taken into account. On steam locomotives , wheel arrangement is represented by the number of leading unpowered wheels, the number of driving wheels, and finally the number of trailing unpowered wheels (aka Whyte notation, but with hyphens omitted).

3. Capacity

Represented by letters P, F or U. P if the vehicle can carry passengers aboard any of the coupled units, F if the vehicle can carry freight , and U if the vehicle can carry utility objects, such as vehicle parts .

4. Dash

The dash separates the vehicle type from the specific model designation.

5. Load Rating

Represented by a single digit ranged 0-9, with 0 being a draisine , 1 being a railcar , and 2-9 being a haul-capable vehicle with increasing capacity.

6. Production Decade

Represented by a single digit ranged 0-9, with 0 representing the start of production being in the 1900s or earlier, 1 being 1910s, 2 being 1920s and so on, until the 1990s.

7. Instance Number

Represented by a single digit ranged 0-9. The first vehicle of this type is designated 0, and the others follow in chronological order of their addition to the fleet, if any.

8. Unit Designation

Represented by letters ranged A-H, starting from the frontmost, and only if there is more than one. Represented by letter S, if it is an optional slug unit .

Some Examples

• S060-440 – A medium-powered 1940s steam locomotive with six driving wheels.
• S282-730B – Second unit (in this case, tender ) of a high-powered 1930s multiple-unit combination steam locomotive with two leading wheels, eight driving wheels, and two trailing wheels.
• DM1P-150 – A non-hauling 1950s diesel-mechanical vehicle with one powered axle designed to carry passengers.
• WE2P-380A – First unit of a barely-hauling 1980s multiple-unit electric vehicle designed to carry passengers.