Vinyl pressings
by Holly Johnson · 1989
Love Train was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 11 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MCA 1306 A-1U-1-2 TY1Stamped runout, A side, variant 1
MCA 1306 B-1U-1-/ TY1Stamped runout, B side, variant 1
MCA 1306 A-1U-1-1 TY1Stamped runout, A side, variant 2
MCA 1306 B-1U-1-1Stamped runout, B side, variant 2
MCAT 1306 A-3U-1-1Runout side A
MCAT 1306 B-4U-1-1Runout side B
MCAT 1306 A-1U-1-1Side A
MCAT 1306 B-1U-1-1Side B
MCA 1306 A-2U-1-Q1 TY1Side A runout
MCA 1306 B-1U-1-Q3Side B runout
MCA 1306ASide A label
MCA 1306BSide B label
MCA 1306 A-2U-1-1Stamped, A side
MCA 1306 B-2U-1-1Stamped, B side
MCAT 1306 A-3U-1-1Runout side A, Variant 1
MCAT 1306 B-4J-1-2Runout side B, Variant 2
MCAT 1306 A-3U-1-2Runout side A, Variant 2
MCAT 1306 B-1U-1-1 TY1Runout side B, Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 7-257694First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 0-257693First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-8017First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-50023First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 693-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 694-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 694-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | MCA Records 257 694-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | Greece | WEA Records S.A. 25769312", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Greece | MCA Records 257693-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 1306First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.046 / WEA 1.046First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1306First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1306First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1306First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK & Europe | MCA Records WMCAT 141112", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
30 vinyl pressings of Love Train are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 1306, released January 9, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 1306, MCAT 1306, WMCAT 1412, WMCAT 1306) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1306 A-1U-1-2 TY1 and MCA 1306 B-1U-1-/ TY1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
