CRS Codes: Amending

As a general rule, the first letter of a CRS Code must also be the first letter of the location name. This is defined in the CORPUS database, where the codes are allocated. Some notable exceptions to this are explained further down.


The CRS Code generally remains the same for the lifespan of a location. Occasionally circumstances dictate that a CRS Code is changed and here are some examples:

Old Code

New Code

Purpose

ANY

ANZ

ANY was the code for Annerley but in 2004 it was appropriated for use in NRS as a generic location. ANZ was allocated to Annerley in its place.

BPC

PNC

This CRS Code amendment was made in 2004, to catch up with a long-standing name change for Penychain, which had once been known as Butlins Penychain.

FAM

NFA

In 2007 Fambridge station was renamed as North Fambridge, so the CRS code was amended to suit.

WDF

SOF

In 2007 Woodham Ferrers station was renamed as South Woodham Ferrers, so this CRS code was also amended.

SMI

CDN

In 2011 Smitham station was renamed as Coulsdon Town, with the CRS Code being amended to reflect this name change.

 

All but one of these were done to keep in line with the rule about the first letter.


CRS Codes are used in many rail retail and operating systems for various purposes so any proposal to amend the code for a location needs to be managed. This is to ensure that it does not prevent the sale of tickets and reservations to/from that location; or have an impact beyond ticket retailing. It may even be the case that old and new codes need to be present for a short period to provide an overlap. The PMS Support Desk can advise on whether a CRS Code change is required and how it should be managed.


First Letter Exceptions:


London Terminals: When CRS codes were introduced in 1980 the London terminal stations did not have the “London” prefix, so the codes were allocated using the first letter of the station name: BFR for Blackfriars, EUS for Euston, FST for Fenchurch Street, etc.


London Underground & Docklands Light Railway: These have CRS Codes beginning with Z; with the second letter, in most cases, reflecting the first letter of the station name: ZBB for Barbican, ZMA for Marble Arch and so on.


Stations served by both National Rail and London Underground/DLR services may have two CRS Codes, such as SRU and ZSR for South Ruislip.


Locations Other Than Railway Stations: Though originally conceived for passenger reservations, CRS Codes are now used in a number of rail industry systems for different purposes. As a consequence, several hundred codes have been allocated for many non-railway station locations: bus stops, carriage sidings, loco depots, junctions, etc. Many of these begin with “X” and around 60 of them can be found in the PMS location data.


CRS Codes are allocated by the CORPUS controller, who may be contacted via the Rail Operations Help Desk: Servicedesk.railoperations@atos.net. As that Help Desk provides first-line support for a number of different systems add “CORPUS” to the subject heading of any e-mail to ensure that it is redirected to the correct team.