An Explanation of Japanese Train Symbols

Welcome aboard the exciting world of model train building! This hobby has been a delight for generations of people around the world, especially in Japan. Considering how crucial the locomotive has been to the rise of modern Japan, it’s perhaps no wonder that the transportation of this cultural mainstay has also turned into a rewarding hobby. The model train building hobby reflects just how wide the world of trains truly is, too! With so many different kinds of locomotives to create, from rustic and historical to sleek and modern or even futuristic designs, there is truly something for everyone.

As you are about to embark on your scale model journey or perhaps get back on track, we have a few explanations about railroad symbols to help you make sure that you have all the parts you need to make a fully functional miniature railway. Read more to learn about train symbols and their meanings.

Railroad Symbols 101: Scales

Before we get started on railroad symbols, let’s make sure we’re clear on sizing and scale so that every part you’re building fits together and on its tracks!

Thankfully, this part is pretty universal across all makes and models. Please note when hobbyists talk about scales, they mean the ratio of the miniatures to the real thing. So, when you see a model that is 1:100 or 1/100, this means that in real life, the same thing would be 100 times larger! Look for these letters to make sure that you’re staying consistent, especially if you plan to swap your model trains or surrounding terrain.

The Meaning of Train Symbols

With so many railroad symbols to learn, it can be overwhelming at first. But no worries - each letter, number, and symbol is broken down by the type of train, so if you are new to the hobby, it’s best to focus on what you’re first looking to build. In other words, the famous Shinkansen bullet trains will have different symbols than diesel/freight trains because they will have different kinds of cars, motors, signage, and accessories.

To give you one common example of the kinds of JR, or Japan Rail lines, that especially use these numbers, we will take you through a walkthrough of Electric Trains. Please note that Shinkansen, Electric freight trains, classic freight trains, diesel trains, and passenger trains all use different letters and numbers, but the same basic framework.

When you’re looking to build an electric train, you might see railroad symbols like this on a package:

Here is how you can decode the meaning of these symbols for electric train railroad models:

1. Type

For example, when we look at the (1) for type, we are looking at which kind of electric train it is:

2. Usage

The next part is for (2) usage, which is reflected like this:

3. Electric System

This is an interesting and very important part of your train symbols. It’s especially good to know your (3) electric system when recreating a model train that runs on electricity!

4. Classification

In Japan, there are so many different kinds of trains for both freight and for passengers! If you have ever been to Japan and went to buy a ticket at the train station, you may have seen that there were a lot of different kinds of trains to choose from, depending on how many stops you were willing to make and how fast they would go.

In other words, this train symbol’s meaning is especially helpful! This (4) classification is most likely what you’ll see first on a box. For example, with an “E255” series - with “E” also as short for “Electric,” you’ll see numbers that show which kind of train it is based on the number in the hundreds place — in this case, “2” is a symbol showing the train is a “normal” train.

This train symbol is where you will often see numbers on packages such as “103” or 445 — and especially for JR lines called “new performance trains,” which were given new numbers after 1959 and in response to Japanese National Railways privatization.

You can also see it in images like this:

5. Developed Order

This part (5) is not as commonly used anymore, but it refers to models of older trains that were scheduled for their routes in the days before.

6. Classification Number

This part of the train’s symbol, or (6) classification number, can be shown as a “type,” such as “type 1000.” This can be especially helpful when you’re looking to complete a fleet in your building hobby.

7. Manufacturing Number

This part of the train symbol (7) is simply its manufacturing number, basically starting from 1 with its manufacturing order.

Full Steam Ahead

Trains have continued to capture the imaginations of people who know that the journey is just as meaningful as the destination. With that in mind, think of your hobby similarly: enjoy the learning process, including by getting a working knowledge of all the railroad symbols and technical know-how. We hope that this example was helpful, and for a more complete review of different types of train symbols and their meaning, please refer to this page!

By stepping off the platform and into the world of model train building, you are sure to satisfy your inner engineer while building something that will delight you and everyone you know!