Rail transport terms are a form of technical terminology applied to railways. Although many terms are uniform across different nations and companies, they are by no means universal, with differences often originating from parallel development of rail transport systems in different parts of the world, and in the national origins of the engineers and managers who built the inaugural rail infrastructure. An example is the term railroad, used (but not exclusively) in North America, and railway, generally used in English-speaking countries outside North America and by the International Union of Railways. In English-speaking countries outside the United Kingdom, a mixture of US and UK terms may exist.[1]
The abbreviation "UIC" refers to terminology adopted by the International Union of Railways in its official publications and thesaurus.[2]
The most common type of railway, where power is applied by driving some or all of the wheels of the locomotive.[4]
Adhesive weight
The weight on the driving wheels of a locomotive, which determines the frictional grip between wheels and rail, and hence the drawbar pull a locomotive can exert[5]
Adjusting spring
A heavy spiral spring or nest of springs used for controlling the side motion of a two-wheel radial trailing truck.[3]
Adjusting spring case
Also Centering spring cylinder.
A cylindrical cast-iron holder in which an adjusting string is placed.[3]
Adjusting spring seat
A casting, or a part of the bolster of a two-wheel trailing truck, forming a bearing for the end of the adjusting spring.[3]
Admission
The opening of steam port to admit steam to one end of a cylinder. If the valve has no lead, admission takes place at the moment the piston of its stroke and just as it is to begin the return stroke.[3]
Any brake operated by air pressure, but usually restricted to systems of continuous brakes operated by compressed air, in distinction from Vacuum Brakes, which are operated by creating a vacuum. The air is compressed by some form of steam pump on the locomotive, or a motor-compressor on electric locomotives, and is conveyed by pipes and flexible hose between the engine, tender and cars to cylinders and pistons under the tender and each car, by which the pressure is transmitted to the brake levers, and thence to the brake shoes. This system is what is now termed the straight-air brake. This brake is now obsolete in steam road practice, having been replaced by the Automatic Air Brake.[3]
Air brake hose
Flexible tubes made of alternate layers of rubber and canvas by which the brake pipes under engines, tenders, and cars are connected together, and compressed air, which operates the brakes, conducted through the train. The hose is made with a coupling at each end of the engine and tender so that it can readily be connected or disconnected. Also called air hose and brake hose.[3]
Air cylinder (air pump)
A cylinder forming part of the air brake pump and having its piston fastened to the same rod to which the piston of the steam cylinder is fastened. It is furnished with air inlet and discharge valves at each end, communicating respectively with the air inlet and the discharge pipe.[3]
Air cylinder bracket
A projecting piece of metal bolted to the frame of a locomotive or tender, to which the brake cylinder is attached. See Truck Brake,Tender Brake.[3]
A small brass receptacle with a stopcock or faucet, screwed to the air cylinder of an air pump, to hold a supply of lubricant for the air cylinder. See Automatic Air Cylinder Oil Cup.[3]
Air drum
Also Main Reservoir and Reservoir.
A cylindrical reservoir, made of sheet steel, into which air is pumped and stored for use in the air brake system and train air signal line. Sometimes placed under the cab deck or between the frames in front of the guide yoke; but now two are commonly used, placed under the running board near the cab, one on each side of the engine.[3]
Air drum hanger
An iron strap riveted to the lower side of the running board, or to the boiler, to support the air drum.[3]
Air drum head
The end of the air drum, to which the cylindrical body is riveted or welded.[3]
Air drum saddle
A strip of iron fastened to the locomotive frame for supporting the air drum or drums when the drums are placed between the cylinder saddles and the guide yoke.[3]
Air gage (air brake)
A gage to register the pressure of air in the reservoirs, brake pipe, or brake cylinders, similar to an ordinary steam pressure gage. They are made either with a single pointer or with two pointers, to indicate on one dial both the reservoir pressure and the brake pipe pressure. The latter type is called a duplex gage.[3]
Air gage fitting
A pipe connection by means of whichan air gage is connected to an engineer's brake valve in a locomotive cab.[3]
Similar to the dead man's switch other than it does not require the operator's constant interaction. Instead, an alarm is sounded at a preset interval in which the operator must respond by pressing a button to reset the alarm and timer if no other controls are operated. If the operator does not respond within a preset time, the prime mover is automatically throttled back to idle and the brakes are automatically applied.[6]
A valve affixed to each end of a piece of rolling stock that, when opened, admits compressed air to the brake pipe (or vents it to the atmosphere if air hose is detached)[12]
A large key which locks levers or other items of signalling apparatus, thereby serving as a portable form of interlocking[citation needed]
Articulated locomotive
A steam locomotive with one or more engine units that can move relative to the main frame[9][13]
Articulated vehicles (articulation)
The sharing of one truck by adjacent ends of two rail vehicles.
Ashpan
A feature of a locomotive with the same form and purpose as the domestic variety (i.e. to collect the ashes that fall through the bars of the grate). The only significant difference is the size, measured in feet rather than inches.
Asynchronous motor
An alternating current electric motor whose speed varies with load and has no fixed relation to the frequency of the supply.
A system that consists of a series of signals that divide a railway line into a series of blocks and then functions to control the movement of trains between them through automatic signals.
Automatic train control (ATC)
A system that applies an emergency brake if the driver does not react to certain signals or speed restrictions[17]
A system that enforces obedience to signals and speed restrictions by speed supervision, including automatic stop at signals[18]
GWR Autotrain
A branch-line train consisting of a steam locomotive and passenger carriages that can be driven from either end by means of rodding to the regulator and an additional vacuum brake valve. The fireman remains with the locomotive and, when the driver is at the other end, the fireman controls the cut off and vacuum ejectors in addition to his usual duties. See also: Push-pull train.
The housing that holds the axle bearings on a rail vehicle[19] The housing that attaches to the end of the axle to the bogie and contains the bearing on which the axle rotates[20] See also journal box below.
A tag or note applied to a defective piece of equipment. Generally, equipment tagged as bad order must not be used until repaired, inspected, and approved for use.[22][23]
Bail off
To release the locomotive brakes while the train brakes are applied, to permit smoother handling and prevent excessive slack, wheel slide and flat wheels.[24]
The reciprocation and revolving masses of any steam, diesel or electric locomotive need balancing, if it is to work smoothly. Revolving masses can easily be balanced by counterweights, but the balancing of reciprocating parts is a matter of compromise and judgement.
A looped length of track, usually at the end of a spur or branch, which trains use to turn around for the return trip without reversing or shunting. Can be used as part of a freight installation to allow the loading or unloading of bulk materials without the need to stop the train (see merry-go-round train (MGR)).[citation needed]
A platform and track arrangement where the train pulls into a siding, or dead-end, when serving the platform.
Bellmouth
A widening of an underground rail tunnel, in preparation for future connection or expansion of service. Used particularly in subway nomenclature.[26][27]
A part of a steam locomotive that discharges exhaust steam from the cylinders into the smokebox beneath the chimney to increase draught through the fire.
An extra set of cylinders that can be engaged on a steam locomotive to drive a trailing truck or tender truck to give additional tractive effort at starting and low speeds[22][34]
A brick or concrete baffle provided at the front of a locomotive firebox below the tubes to extend the flame path. Early locomotives burned coke; provision of a brick arch was necessary before coal could be used without producing excessive smoke.
The housing for signals and communications computers that control switches, crossings, and other such controls, relaying information to and from the rail traffic control (RTC)[38]
A blend of the words "bus" and "substitution", the practice of replacing a train service with one provided by buses, whether as a temporary or a permanent measure.
A steam locomotive with its cab at the leading end of the boiler, rather than the usual trailing end adjacent to the tender. The best known example is the Southern Pacific Railroad's AC type, built to handle drag freights through the SP's many tunnels and snow sheds without the danger of the exhaust asphyxiating the engine crew.
In North America, a railroad car attached usually to the end of a train, in which railroad workers could ride and monitor track and rolling stock conditions. Largely obsolete, having been replaced by the electronic end-of-train device (ETD), or flashing rear-end device (FRED).[41]
A locomotive that derives structural strength from a bridge-truss design framework in the sides and roof, which cover the full width of the locomotive.
A heavier duty locomotive with six wheels, three wheels per truck (all axles being separately driven) configuration as opposed to a four-wheel "Bo-Bo" configuration. The correct classification is Co'Co', but Co-Co is used more often.
Coal pusher
A steam-operated device in the tender intended to push coal forward to a point where it can be shovelled directly into the fire.[46]
A signal that uses both colour and light position to indicate meaning.
Combined power handle
A handle or lever that controls both the throttle and dynamic braking on the locomotive: on a desktop-type control stand, forward (away from operator) past center operates the dynamic brake, backward (toward operator) past center, is throttle up.[47][48][49]
A steam locomotive passing steam through two sets of cylinders. One set uses high pressure steam, then passes the low pressure exhausted steam to the second.[50]
Configurable System
Capability of the system to allow users to select, from pre-programmed functions (modular software units), those functions necessary to accomplish a control strategy or other complex function, without the use of computer language.[51]
A form of track made from rails welded together by with a thermite reaction or flash butt welding to form one continuous rail that may be several kilometres long.[41]
A passenger coach with a full set of train controls at one end, allowing for the use of push-pull train operation.[55]
Control System
The microprocessor based control and fault diagnostic system has been developed for conventional electric locomotives including locos provided with static converter. It performs logical control of the locomotive by continuously monitoring various digital/ analog inputs and checks for any abnormality in the operation.[56]
A diesel locomotive with a crew cab permanently coupled to and acting as a controller for a similar slave diesel locomotive without a crew cab, primarily used for switching or shunting duties for large groups of rolling stock. Also known as master and slave.
In a steam locomotive, the moving member of a sliding guide that absorbs upward and downward forces from the connecting (main) rod, which otherwise would tend to bend the piston rod.[59]
Cut
To uncouple one or more cars from a train (i.e. to "make a cut").[60]
A variable device on steam locomotives that closes the steam valve to the steam cylinder before the end of the piston stroke, thus conserving steam while letting steam in the cylinder expand under its own energy.
A channel dug through a hillside to enable rail track to maintain a shallow gradient. See also embankment.
Cycle braking
Making repeated service brake reductions in short succession to maintain a constant speed on short but steep grades. Each reduction must be at least 5 PSI lower than the previous one to keep the brakes applying regularly, but excessive cycle braking can deplete the air supply and require an emergency application.[63]
A cavity in a reciprocating engine in which a piston travels.
Cylinder cock
On steam locomotives, crews use this appurtenance to drain water from the steam cylinders when the throttle is open, thus preventing damage to the pistons, running gear, and cylinder heads.[64]
Dedit
Dark signal
A block signal that is displaying no discernible aspect, often due to burned out lamps or local power failure. Most railroads require that a dark signal be treated as displaying its most restrictive aspect (e.g. stop and stay for an absolute signal).[65]
A railway ending in a locality (terminus) with no other rail services. Typically includes buffer stops at the end of the tracks. The opposite of rail crossing
A safety mechanism on a train controller that automatically applies the brake if the driver releases the handle. It is intended to stop a train if the driver is incapacitated. In some forms, this device may be pedal-actuated. See also Dead-man's vigilance device.
A track side device used to detect various defects such as hotboxes (overheated axle bearings), dragging equipment, leaning cars, overloaded cars, overheight cars, seized (locked) wheels, etc.[70]
Degraded Operation
Operation resulting from an unplanned event that prevents the normal delivery of train services.[31]
A small explosive charge placed on the running rail, which detonates loudly when run over to warn drivers in following trains of an incident ahead. Known as a torpedo in the United States.
A set of diesel-powered self-propelling passenger rail vehicles able to operate in multiple with other such sets. Such units, especially those consisting of a single vehicle, are sometimes termed railcars.
A practice originally used to move large trains through the mountains. Now commonly used to facilitate longer, heavier trains in all types of terrain. Consists of the locomotives on the head end, a "swing" (mid-train) helper or two, and pusher locomotive(s) on the rear; today, all units are remotely controlled by the engineer in the lead unit. The remote locomotives are referred to as Distributed Power Units (DPUs). The power distribution alleviates stress on the couplers and relieves the lead units of the full weight of the train, making it easier to move on grades.
A pair of lights, usually found on modern locomotives, located some distance below and outboard of the main headlight. They may also flash alternately when a locomotive sounds its horn.[71]
Division
In North America, the trackage area under the jurisdiction of a railway superintendent.[72]
Dog or dogspike (India)
A spike with a slightly altered head shape for easier extraction when the spike has become too loose in the sleeper.[73][74]
A self-powered gasoline-electric passenger car used for small capacity rural commuter service.[70] Also a British Rail Class 153 DMU.
Double
If a train has insufficient power to climb a grade and no helpers are available, the crew splits the train into two sections and runs them separately to the top.[75]
A configuration in which two locomotives are coupled head-to-tail so they can haul a heavy train up a long or steep hill. Currently, double heading (and occasionally triple heading) are used primarily by large passenger trains or as a show for railfans.
The part of a coupler that attaches to the frame of the car or locomotive; may be equipped with a pneumatic cushion depending on a freight car's design cargo (e.g. an autorack). Alternately, the pinned double bars coupling a steam locomotive to its tender.
A wheel in contact with the rail that also propels a locomotive
Dual control stand
the practice of having two control stands (a "control stand" is a diesel locomotive subsystem which integrates all engine and brake functional controls within the operational radius of the locomotive engineer's left forearm from his/her customary seating position, facing forward at all times) in the cab of a hood unit locomotive, one on either side facing opposite directions to allow operation either long hood or short hood forward at all times.
A signal light that is considerably smaller and closer to the ground than a high-mast signal; often absolute, and placed within interlocking limits, its aspects tend to differ from those conveyed by a taller signal for certain indications. Also called 'pot' or 'jack'.
The time a train spends at a scheduled stop without moving. Typically, this time is spent boarding or deboarding passengers, but it may also be spent waiting for traffic ahead to clear, or idling time in order to get back on schedule.[78]
A component of vacuum brake system usually fitted in pairs. Steam passing through a cone sucks air from the train pipe to create the vacuum.
A small ejector running continuously to overcome leaks and to restore the vacuum after light braking and a large ejector operated when needed to release the brakes quickly after a heavy application or to create the initial vacuum after coupling
A bank, usually of earth but sometimes of stone, constructed to form a level or minimally graded trackbed for a line of railway needing to pass over a depression in the terrain or other pre-existing surface feature. See also cutting.
Empty coaching stock (ECS)
A train used to bring carriages into (or out of) service. They usually run between sidings and main stations, with the carriages then forming a service train to another destination. They are often worked under freight train rules (e.g. without needing a guard in the UK).[79]
Emergency release
A device accessible under certain conditions that permits the operation of an apparatus in case of failure.[80]
A switching locomotive with no short hood, thus having its cab forming one end of its car body.
Engineer
In North America, the operator of a locomotive.
Equalizing reservoir
A small air reservoir in a locomotive control stand. When the automatic brake valve is operated, this reservoir responds by reducing or increasing the air pressure in the brake pipe.[81]
A device that continuously captures analog and digital train systems information and stores that data for a minimum of 48 hours. This data is used to evaluate incidents and accidents. Typical stored data includes speed, brake pressure, dynamic brake, horn activation, track signal, etc. In the U.S., event recorders are mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for freight, passenger and commuter rail. Regulations for railroads outside the U.S. vary by country. Transit operations are not generally required to have event recorders, but have begun to add them voluntarily.
A train that passes selected stations without stopping.[citation needed]
Extra
A train not included in the normal schedule of a railroad.[82][83][84] They often run during busy holiday travel periods in order to handle larger crowds and reduce the number of passengers waiting or stranded at a station. In train order territory, extras are required to clear the main line for scheduled trains to pass.[85]
A heavy, hinged steel plate attached in a horizontal position to the rear of the locomotive footplate or front of a locomotive tender. When the tender is attached to its locomotive the plate is allowed to fall to cover the gap in the "floor" between the two units. The sliding edge is not fixed and has a smooth chamfer so as to avoid a trip hazard.[86]
Fallen flag
An abandoned or bankrupt railroad or one absorbed by another company that loses its historic name.[87]
A device to preheat the water for a steam locomotive to improve efficiency.
Feed valve or regulating valve
A valve that controls the amount of air pressure channelled from the locomotive's main reservoir to the brake pipe, in accordance with the set pressure in the equalizing reservoir.[88]
In steam locomotives, a chamber in which a fire produces sufficient heat to create steam once the hot gases created there are carried into the adjacent boiler via tubes or flues.[89]
A worker whose primary job is to shovel coal into the firebox and ensure that the boiler maintains sufficient steam pressure.
Flat
A wheel defect where the tread of a wheel has a flat spot and is no longer round; flats can be heard as regular clicking or banging noises when the wheel passes by. This is caused either by a locked bearing, or a brake that was not fully released before the car was moved, dragging the wheel without turning.[90]
A railway junction that has a track configuration in which merging or crossing railroad lines provide track connections with each other without requiring trains to cross in front of opposing traffic on the same level[90]
Fouling point
A point of a switch turnout where a car or locomotive on one track obstructs movements on the adjacent track.[91][self-published source?]
A rail vehicle designed for the carriage of freight.
Full service reduction
A brakeman uses a fusee to demonstrate a hand signal indicating "stop"The maximum air pressure that can be exerted against brake pistons in a normal brake application. To increase pressure beyond this point, the brakes must be placed in emergency.[92]
A threaded plug, with a soft metal core, that is screwed into the crown plate of a firebox. If the water level gets too low the core melts and the noise of the escaping steam warns the enginemen.
An EMD GP38-2, "General Purpose" (GP) locomotives are often called a "Geep"
Any of the GP ("general-purpose") series of Electro-Motive four-axle diesel locomotives; originally applied only to EMD GP7, GP9, and GP18 models[94]
Generator field
The control switch of a diesel-electric locomotive that opens or closes the circuit between the main generator and the traction motors.[95]
Get a knuckle
To break a train in two, usually by shearing the knuckle pin in a coupler, often caused by the application of excessive head end power at startup.[96][97]
A quick coupling and uncoupling connector at the end of a trainline air hose that resembles a pair of shaking hands when hoses are connected.
Go-devil
A hand-powered railroad car (see Handcar and Draisine), or a small gasoline powered railroad car.[100][101]
Grab bar or Grab iron
A handle on the side of a car to allow switching personnel to hold on.[102]
Hedit
Harmonic rock or harmonic rock and roll
The condition of locomotives and cars swaying in opposite directions when traversing depressions on the roadbed. A potentially dangerous condition that can cause coupler damage, lading damage, or derailments at slower speeds.[103][104]
Head-End Power
A scheme whereby the locomotive engine or a separate generator provides hotel power to carriages[105]
A transverse structural member located at the extreme end of a rail vehicle's underframe. The headstock supports the coupling at that end of the vehicle, and may also support buffers, in which case it may also be known as a "buffer beam".[107]
A device attached to the track that monitors passing trains for hot axles, and reports results via radio transmission (typical in the US) or a circuit to the signal box (typical in the UK). See defect detector.[105]
Hudson type
The Hudson wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4-6-4 wheel arrangement[30][117]
A raised section in a rail sorting yard that allows operators to use gravity to move freight railcars into the proper position within the yard when making up trains of cars. This is faster and requires less effort than moving cars with a switching engine.[105]
Swaying motion of a railway vehicle or bogie caused by the coning action on which the directional stability of an adhesion railway depends. The truck or bogie wanders from side to side between the rails, "hunting" for the optimum location based on the forces at play.[105]
Iedit
Independent brake or locomotive brake
The braking system that applies or releases the brakes of a locomotive independently from its train[118][119]
Moving goods by more than one type of vehicle, often achieved using shipping containers that are transferred among railroad flatcars, ships, airplanes, and tractor-trailer trucks[120]
Moving people by more than one type of vehicle[120]
Interoperability
Ability of a transport network to operate trains and infrastructures to provide, accept and use services so exchanged without any substantial change in functionality or performance[126]
A Bogie, or truck (American), shared between two pieces of rolling stock. Cars joined with Jacobs bogies are semi-permanently joined in an articulated configuration. A weight-saving feature used on lightweight passenger trains.
Joint bar or rail joiner
A metal plate that joins the ends of rails in jointed track[127]
A point at which two lines or separate routes diverge from each other[128]
Kedit
Keeper
A padlock or hook securing the lever of a hand-operated switch, thereby preventing the switch points from moving as rolling stock passes over them[132][133]
Kick
To shove a car a short distance and uncouple it in motion, allowing it to roll free under gravity and/or its own inertia onto a track. Commonly practiced in bowl or hump yards to make up or break down trains or classify large numbers of cars in an expedient fashion. Differs from a flying switch in that the locomotive is pushing the car rather than pulling it when the cut is made.[134]
Kicker
A freight car with a defect in its brake valve that causes the entire train's brake system to go into emergency when any application is made[135]
Kinematic envelope (KE)
The outline of the space beside and above the track that must be kept clear of obstructions for the train to pass. This can be larger than the static clearance around an unmoving engine or car.[136] See also: loading gauge and structure gauge
Knuckle
The articulating part of a coupler that locks automatically in its closed position to join rail cars; so named because its movement resembles that of the human finger[137]
Ledit
Lead track
A non-main track from which several others branch within a short distance, such as within a rail yard or engine terminal[138]
A crossing on one level ("at-grade intersection")—without recourse to a bridge or tunnel—generally of a railway line by a road or path. Not to be confused with non-dead-end railways (see Rail crossing)
Light engine
A locomotive travelling on its own, or perhaps with just a caboose (brake van) attached[139]
A city-based rail system based on tram design standards that operates mostly in private rights-of-way separated from other traffic but sometimes, if necessary, mixed with other traffic in city streets.[140] Light rail vehicles (LRVs) generally have a top speed of around 55 mph (89 km/h) though mostly operating at much lower speeds, more akin to road vehicles. Light rail vehicles usually run on trackage that weighs less per foot (due to a smaller track profile) than the tracks used for main-line freight trains; thus they are "light rail" due to the smaller rails usually used.[139]
An obsolete method of coupling rail cars, consisting of manually dropping the coupling pin into the drawbar as the cars joined. Extremely hazardous to the brakemen of its day, it was outlawed in the United States by the Railroad Safety Appliance Act of 1893.
Local train
A train that stops at most, if not all, stations along its route[141]
Lunar
An off-white color of railway signal light, like the Moon, achieved by the use of a clear lens of very light blue, to make it distinct from a light that has a broken lens.[142][143]
A system of high speed train transportation that uses two sets of magnets: one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the elevated train ahead, taking advantage of the lack of friction.
Main generator
The electric generator in a diesel-electric locomotive that is coupled directly to the prime mover and feeds electrical energy to the traction motors[144]
Main reservoir
The compressed-air tank of a locomotive containing source air for the brakes and other pneumatic appliances[145][self-published source?]
A nose-mounted mechanically oscillated light used to warn traffic of an approaching locomotive. Functionally replaced by ditch lights on modern locomotives.
Mechanical semaphore signal
A signal in which the aspect is conveyed by moving an arm[150][151]
In rail transport operations, a meet occurs when two trains arrive at a location and pass each other on parallel tracks, such as on a siding, usually in opposing directions.[152][153] This is also sometimes referred to as a crossing of two trains.[154]
Mikado type
The Mikado wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement[155]
Milk train
In the U.S., milk trains ran from the countryside to cities making numerous stops at minor depots to pick up cans of fresh milk, making them a colloquial expression for a very slow train.
In the U. K., an aggregator for transporting milk from farms to dairies, such as British Railways Milk Trains; as these trains invariably ran very early in the morning, "milk train" became a colloquialism for a particularly early train.[156][157][158]
The Mogul wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2-6-0 wheel arrangement[159]
Mothballed
A track that is still serviceable but no trains are running on them.[160][161]
Mountain type
The Mountain wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4-8-2 wheel arrangement[162]
Mud ring
The bottom of the water space surrounding a steam locomotive's firebox that collects solids precipitating from the water supply during the boiling process[163]
Multiple aspect signalling
A system of colour-light signalling in which signals may show three or four aspects[164]
Railroad track where the rails are spaced less than 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) apart,[165]
Northern type
The Northern wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, also known in North America as "Pocono", "Niagara", "Confederation", "Greenbrier", and "Potomac"[166][167]
Notch 8 or run 8
The eighth notch of a locomotive throttle control, indicating full power on the standard American diesel locomotive control scheme[168][169]
An apparatus mounted on the roof of a rail vehicle to allow the collection of electric current from overhead lines[172][173]
Paperwork
As a reason for delays, written instructions conveyed to a train's engineer in which the train must proceed slower than its normal speed. These instructions are either handed to the crew or recited and read back over radio.[174]
Per diem (pronounced by some U.S. railroaders per die-um, not per dee-um)
A fee paid by a rail company to the owner of a car (or wagon) for the time it spends on the company's property[172][176]
An authorized living expense payment for some workers forced away from their home terminal[172][177]
Permissive signal
A block signal whose most restrictive indication is stop and proceed. A permissive signal is identified by the presence of a number plate affixed to the mast or supporting structure. Proceeding beyond a permissive signal at stop is allowed at restricted speed if operating conditions enable a train operator to stop before reaching any train or obstruction.[178][179][180]
Pilot
A deflective shield affixed to the front of a locomotive to protect its wheels from on-track debris; archaically called a "cowcatcher"[181] See also: Pilot (locomotive)
An employee qualified on the operating rules and physical characteristics of a certain section of the railroad, assisting a crew member who is not so qualified[182][183] See also: Railroad engineer
Where it is necessary to temporarily work a section of line as single track (for instance if the other track of a double-track line is out of use), a person (the pilot man) acts as the single track token.
A specified distance that a brake piston may move from its cylinder to the brake rigging. If the travel exceeds or falls short of this distance, the equipment must be set out for repair.[188]
An employee who performs or performed (the role has now largely become obsolete) various physical duties, chiefly but not exclusively involving lifting. Various types of porter include:
A baggage porter assisting with luggage
An operating porter assisting with safeworking duties
A station porter assisting with general station duties
The practice of coupling two or more passenger trains together over common sections of their respective routes, but otherwise operating the trains separately[191][192]
An American system of functional requirements for monitoring and controlling train movements with the aim of increasing operational safety
Possession
In Britain, a period of time when one or more tracks are closed for maintenance. For the duration of the work, a person in charge of possession (PICOP) has control of the line. When work is complete the possession is relinquished and control of the line handed back to the signaller.[193][self-published source?]
The weight (and thus the cross section) of a length of rail. A heavier rail can carry heavier loads with less distortion and less damage to the rails themselves and the roadbed.
Power
A locomotive or group of connected (MU'd) locomotives serving as the motive power for a train[172]
Power braking
Pulling against the train brakes at the higher end of the locomotive's power output (e.g. notches five through eight on a conventional throttle). This is considered wasteful of fuel and brake shoes, and is therefore discouraged by most operating departments.[194][195]
Prairie type
The Prairie wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement[69]
The internal combustion engine of a diesel locomotive
Pull apart
A rail broken from cold-related contraction[196][197]
Push pole
A push poleA pole about 12 feet (366 cm) long and having a diameter of 5 inches (127 mm) and used in the United States between 1870 and the mid-1960s to push a freight car onto or off a siding or onto another track by being placed between a locomotive (on an adjacent track) and the freight car. The two ends of the poles were placed in receptacles called push pole pockets.[198] The practice of using a push pole for switching was called "poling".[199]
A configuration for locomotive-hauled trains, allowing them to be driven from either end of the train, whether having a locomotive at each end or not. See also: Auto train. See Top and tail for train with locomotives at both front and back.[172]
Redit
Rack railway, rack-and-pinion railway, or cog railway
A steep-grade railway with a toothed rack rail (usually between the running rails), used when adhesion is insufficient
A passenger rail vehicle (typically non-articulated or rigid frame) that derived from bus propulsion and construction technology, but may evolve into larger dimensions, performance, and characteristics similar in appearance to a light DMU railcar
A powered single unit or articulated passenger car, usually "railroad-derived" light DMU or EMU, with a driver's cab at one or both ends
Rail crossing
The opposite of a dead-end rail, i.e. a line connecting locations accessed by other railways, often associated with the overcoming of natural obstacles, such as mountain ranges.[200] Not to be confused with a railway crossing a road (see Level crossing)
Rail profiles for flat-bottom and bullhead railsThe cross section shape of rail. There are many rail profiles, often specific to individual railroads. Rails must be periodically scanned electronically, the data inspected and analysed, then re-profiled with rail grinding machines to maintain the safe and proper rail profile. Rails that cannot be brought back to the proper rail profile are condemned and replaced.
A colour generally associated with stop, when shown by signals or flags
Red zone
The area between, under, or within a few feet of cars and locomotives. To enter the zone, a ground employee must obtain protection from the locomotive engineer (if a locomotive is coupled) or a blue signal (if no locomotive is coupled).[208][209][210][self-published source?]
A siding used as a passing place on a main line, where slow trains may be held whilst an express passes—a simpler, but less convenient, form of the passing loop
A rerail frog or rerailer stored (on its side) on a locomotive. The slot is placed over the rail and the derailed wheel is pushed or pulled until it runs up the rerailer and back on to the track.
A metal casting incorporating a slot that allows the casting to fit over the rail near the wheel of a derailed car. The locomotive then pushes or pulls the car so that the derailed wheel runs up the rerailer and back on to the track.[215]
Short for rotary snowplow, an extreme-duty railroad snowplow used mainly in the mountain ranges of the American West[221]
A roundhouse and turntable, viewed from aboveRoundhouse
Platform track and a run-round loop at Toyooka Station, Hyogo, Japan, the terminus of the line from MiyazuA circular or semi-circular structure used for storage and running maintenance of locomotives
Route selector panel, punch box, or train-identification pushbuttons (New York City Subway)
A box or panel adjacent to a rail line at an interlocking, with several buttons for train operators to select a desired route, which is then either communicated to a signal tower where an operator fulfills the request, or switched automatically[222][223]
The longest or steepest grade on a division, thus setting the standard for track speeds, locomotive tonnage ratings, and train handling instructions[224]
Run
The action verb for the train's movement. The train runs across the track.
Runaway
A heavy train that has lost speed control while descending a steep grade, due to either brake failure or poor preparation by the crew[225]
Running track
An other-than-main track, typically providing access to a yard or industry and governed by the requirements of restricted speed[226]
The practice of detaching a locomotive from its train, driving it to the other end of the train and re-attaching it, to allow the train to proceed in the direction it has just come from (e.g. when it reaches its destination and forms a service in the other direction).[212][227]
Run-through power
Locomotives that remain attached to a manifest or unit train from their home rails over the tracks of a receiving railroad until the train reaches its final destination[228]
A tank locomotive with the water tank mounted on top of the boiler like a saddle[229]
Safe place
An area within the network of an operator where evacuation of passengers can be performed, depending on current operational conditions, with a minimum of risk to the passengers (e.g. stations, refuges on the line)[230][page needed]
Safeworking
In Australia, the system of rules and equipment designed to ensure the safe operation of trains[231]
A container on locomotives and self-propelled multiple units, or trams, that run on tramways and adhesion railways. The container holds sand, which a crew can drop onto the rail to improve rail adhesion under wet, steep, or slippery rail conditions. The sandbox and operating mechanism are collectively known as sanding gear.
A steam locomotive not equipped with a superheater; the steam thus remains at the same temperature as the water in the boiler[234]
Scale
Solid debris distilled from boiling water in a steam locomotive. To prevent corrosion damage from scale build-up, the locomotive must undergo a boiler wash once each operating month.[235]
A specialized type of freight car for extra heavy and oversized loads where the car is loaded in such a way that the load forms part of the car superstructure[236]
A type of geared steam locomotive built to the patents of Ephraim Shay[229]
Shunt
In UK and Australian parlance, to make up and divide trains in sidings, to move trains to or from sidings, or to move trains between platforms in a station[242][self-published source?]
Shoofly
Temporary track used to avoid an obstacle that blocks movement on the normal track section
A train, usually a passenger service, that runs back and forth, usually over a relatively short distance, such as between a junction station and a branch-line terminus.
A section of track off the main line. Sidings are often used for storing rolling stock or freight. A siding is also used as a form of rail access for warehouses and other businesses, where the siding often meets up with loading docks at rail car height. In the U.S. the term also covers the British term loop. Also, a passing track in the U.S.
A two-head color position signal on a CSXT mainline where the left head displays "Stop" and the right, "Clear"A device that indicates the condition of the line ahead to the driver of a train
The condition of fallen leaves or other debris lying on and clinging to a railroad track that could cause train wheel slippage, resulting in premature wheel wear and train delays
A local speed restriction below the track's normal speed limit often designated by yellow and green flags. Slow orders can be imposed on a temporary basis to protect, for example, maintenance of way employees while sections of track are under repair. Widely used in areas where track is substandard and in need of repair.
A locomotive that contains traction motors yet lacks the diesel engine to create its own power, which is instead supplied by a connected mother locomotive[229]
An enclosed (normally cylindrical) space attached to the end of the boiler opposite the firebox on a steam locomotive (normally the front). Supports the stack; steam pipes to and from the cylinders pass through here; contains the blastpipe where the exhaust steam is used to provide draft for the fire. In superheated locomotives, also contains the superheater header and (optionally) a front-end throttle.
Two unused and one heavily corroded spikes, with an inch ruler shown for scaleA bolt, pin, or nail used to hold rails, or plates connected to the rails (known as tie plates), to sleepers (ties)
A Jordan spreaderMaintenance of way equipment designed to spread or shape ballast profiles, remove snow, clean and dig ditches as well as trim embankments
A device generally used in passenger trains to create steam for heating. The steam generator is usually in the locomotive but may also be located in other cars.[229]
A mechanical device that boosts the pressure of engine intake air to above atmospheric level, causing an increase in power. Not to be confused with the blower used to scavenge the cylinders of a naturally aspirated two-stroke Diesel engine.
Superelevation
Areas on curves where the outside rail is elevated higher than the inside rail, creating a banked curve, generally allowing higher speeds and more comfort for passengers (on passenger trains).
A device in a steam locomotive that raises the temperature of saturated steam substantially beyond the boiling point of water, increasing power and efficiency[229]
To determine the position of constructed objects, including rail infrastructure, in relation to the earth's surface. This is accomplished by measuring angles and distances based on the principles of triangulation.
A method of climbing and descending steep gradients, where shallow-gradient track reverses direction for a while, and then reverses again to continue in the original direction
A track tamping machineGenerally, a locomotive used in track maintenance and equipped with track lifting facilities, and paddles that push ballast beneath a rail track to assure its level and cant
A company in the United States that owns no cars of its own and transports only the railroad cars of other companies around a specific terminal station[249]
A passenger coach that is disconnected from one train and attached to another before continuing on with its journey, thus avoiding the need for passengers themselves to switch trains[250]
Through platform
The standard platform and track arrangement at a station. The train pulls alongside the platform, arriving from one end of the station, and may pass out the other end of the station by continuing along the same track[251][self-published source?]
In North America, a form used by railroad employees that shows the locations of slow orders, maintenance of way work locations, and other conditions affecting the track and movement of trains[citation needed]
An electrical circuit that detects the presence of locomotives or cars (as their wheelsets electrically bond the rails) in a block of track, and provides real-time input to signaling logic
The gradual application of superelevation and tighter curve radius, calculated with reference to the anticipated line speed and the final curve radius, on the approach to a bend. Also known as the transition spiral and spiral easement.
The mechanical interface that links vehicles so a driver can operate them together. The coupler can be a purely mechanical device such as a screw coupler or bar coupler. Alternatively the coupler can also incorporate electrical or pneumatic connections.[252]
The warning horn in a locomotive or in a control car
Trainman
In North America, an employee assigned to train service, such as a conductor, brakeman, or switchman
Train inauguration
The automated process of train bus configuration that includes detecting all bus nodes and their orientation, assigning the numbers to particular bus nodes and collecting their properties.[253][page needed]
Train operation and management
In Europe, the procedures and related equipment enabling a coherent operation of the different structural subsystem, both during normal and degraded operation, including in particular train driving, traffic planning and management[254][page needed]
Trainmaster, terminal manager, or road manager
In North America, an employee who supervises operations over a given territory[255]
The process whereby signallers or dispatchers can change the order or timing of trains to maximise overall train service performance in real time[citation needed]
A group of rolling stock that is permanently or semi-permanently coupled together to form a unified set of equipment. Trainsets are most often used in passenger train configurations.[citation needed]
Trams that are designed to run both on the tracks of a city-based rail system and on the existing railway networks. Tram-trains' dual-voltage capability makes it possible to operate at lower speeds on city streets and at over 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) on main line tracks allowing travel in an extended geographical area without changing the method of transport.
A mechanical or electrical device for detecting the presence of a rail vehicle with pin-point accuracy, unlike a track circuit, which provides detection over an arbitrary distances
A train in which all cars (wagons) carry the same commodity and are shipped from the same origin to the same destination, without being split up or stored en route[257]
Underbridge
In the parlance of rail transport in the United Kingdom, an 'underbridge' is a bridge that allows a roadway to cross under the course of a railway line, in contrast to an overbridge, or overpass, that crosses over the railway.
A continuous train brake that is fail-safe in operation. It is powered by a vacuum from the locomotive but the application is actually by atmospheric pressure when the vacuum is released. Primarily used historically in Britain and in countries influenced by British practice. Now largely superseded by the air brake.
The linkage mechanism that operates the valve for a driving cylinder, to alternately admit steam to the cylinder and then exhaust it when the piston's stroke is nearly complete[258]
A vertical steel plate riveted to the waist sheet crosstie and to an angle piece which is also fastened to the waist of a boiler to secure that part to the frame, and at the same time allow a small amount of expansion and contraction.
Waist Brace Angle
A steel strip riveted to the shell of a boiler and having its edge bent to a right angle, and to which a plate or strut is fastened for the purpose of bracing the waist of a boiler to the frames.
Waist Sheet
The plate forming that portion of a boiler directly ahead of the outside firebox sheet. It is sometimes made cylindrical in shape and sometimes tapering or conical.
Waist Sheet Crosstie
A transverse brace or casting binding the frames together in front of the firebox and usually having a plate fastened to it and to the boiler to support the waist of the boiler at this point.
Waist Sheet Wearing Plate
A steel strip riveted to the waist sheet of a boiler and to the angle of the waist sheet brace or expansion plate, to reinforce the bearing or support of the boiler at this point.
Walschaerts Valve Gear
Also see Valve Gear.
A valve gear socalled from its inventor, largely in use in Europe and being rapidly introduced in the United States. It has no eccentric and is entirely outside of the frames.
Washer
A plate of metal or other material, usually annular, which is placed under a nut or bolt head to give it a better bearing. Two or more washers are sometimes combined and called washer plates, strap washers, double or twin washers, triple washers, etc. They are sometimes made beveled or triangular for a rod or bolt, which is oblique, with reference to the bearing surface. A socket washer or Hush washer is one provided with a recess for the bolt head, so as to leave it Hush with the adjoining parts. Cut or wrought washers are those stamped out of rolled iron plates. Cast washers are made from cast iron. Both kinds are used.
Wash-out Plug
A short, solid metal cylinder with a screw thread cut on the outside and a square or hexagonal head for convenience in applying a wrench, screwed into the water leg and above the crown sheet of a locomotive boiler. Wash-out plugs are usually located near the bottom of a water leg, a little above the mud ring, or above the crown sheet, and from four to eight are provided in order to allow mud to be thoroughly washed out.
Waste
The spoiled bobbins of cotton or woolen mills, used for wiping machinery and for Journal Packing, which sec.
Waste Cock or Waste Valve
An arrangement attached to and forming part of the body of an injector, consisting of a valve provided with a handle or lever. If this valve is left open when the steam and water supply valves to the injector are also open, steam passes back through the injector feetf pipe and may thus be used to prevent the water in the tender tank from freezing.
Water
A liquid composed of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen in the proportion of 8 to 1 by weight, colorless and transparent in the pure state. It is never obtained pure for locomotive use, always holding in solution a quantity of solid matter such as sulphates and carbonates of lime and magnesia that may form objectionable quantities of scale in a boiler. See Steam. Boilers fed with water that forms much scale must be washed out at frequent intervals; in some districts even at the completion of every trip. The best practice at present is to install water-treating plants at water stations, by means of which the scale forming matters in the water are chemically treated and removed before the water reaches the locomotives.
Water Brake
An arrangement, consisting of a set of pipes and valves connected to a locomotive boiler below the water line, for admitting water to the cylinders to retard the motion of the pistons and thus act as a brake on the locomotive, which is run with the reverse lever back of the center. It is used on lines having long, steep grades.
Water Brake Valve
A globe valve with its connecting pipe screwed in the boiler back head below the water line, for operating the water brake.
Water Cooler
A tank or vessel for carrying drinking water which is usually cooled with ice. The sides are generally made double, and the space between Tilled with some non-conducting substance. When used on locomotives they are commonly located on the tender tank.
Water column (railroad) Also Standpipe
A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive.
A device to enable an engineman or fireman to observe the height of water in a locomotive boiler. It consists of two brass fittings screwed into the back head, one above the other, and connected by a stout glass tube which communicates, through the fittings, with the water and steam in the boiler. The water level showing in the glass tube must be the same as that inside the boiler.
Water Gage Casing
A covering or protector around a water gage glass. The casing prevents the glass from flying about in case of breakage.
Water Gage Cock
One of two brass fittings screwed into a locomotive boiler head, having a valve or plug cock for opening or closing communication between the boiler and the water gage glass. The end of the glass tube rests in an opening in the gage cock and is held in place by a coupling nut which is screwed down on an elastic washer surrounding the tube.
Water Gage Cock Extension
A piece of pipe leading from an opening in a boiler to one of the water gage cocks.
Water Gage Cock Gland
A neck or extension formed on a water gage cock to receive the end of the glass tube, or the stem of the cock or plug.
Water Gage Nut
A hexagonal brass nut surrounding a water gage glass near the end and holding an elastic washer so as to prevent leakage of water or steam around it.
Water Grate
See Grate and Water Pull Bar Grate.
Water Leg
The space between the inner and outer sheets of a firebox. At the bottom, where the two sheets are riveted to the mud ring, the width of the water leg is from three to five inches, increasing more or less rapidly, according to the design and size of the firebox.
Water Pull Bar Grate
Also see Grate
A grate designed for burning anthracite coal, consisting of tubes running longitudinally through the bottom of the firebox and communicating with the front and back water legs, usually screwed into the tube sheet and expanded into the back sheet, a copper ferrule being used to insure a tight joint. Between the water tubes, iron pull bars, enclosed in short tubes, pass completely through the back water leg and project a snort distance outside the back head. These outer ends have slots in them, into which a rod can be put, and the bars pulled out for the purpose of dumping or cleaning the fire. Midway of the length of tfye firebox is a bearer or bridge that supports both the tubes and bars that form the grate. A similar bearer is placed at the front end of the box to hold the bars.
Water Scoop
A device for putting water in a locomotive tender, while it is in motion, from a trough laid between the rails, and sometimes called a track tank. It consists of a cast-iron or steel plate conduit of rectangular cross section, about 8 x 12 inhes, passing up through the tender tank and turned over at the top so as to discharge the water downward. The lower end, underneath the tender frame, is fitted with a scoop or dipper that can be lowered into the trough by a lever worked by hand, or by compressed air applied in a cylinder whose piston rod is connected to the mechanism for raising and lowering the scoop. Owing to its inertia, the water is forced up through the siphon pipe into the tender tank when the scoop moves through the trough at a speed of from 25 to 40 miles per hour.
Water Scoop Air Cylinder
A small cast-iron cylinder fastened underneath a tender for operating the water scoop. Compressed air is conveyed to it from the main air reservoir through a valve, thus moving the piston. The piston rod is connected to the levers that lower the dipper into the water trough between the rails. To insure the rapid raising of the dipper, when the locomotive reaches the end of the track tank, a coil spring is fastened to the scoop mechanism.
Water Scoop Air Cylinder Piston
A metal disk fitted inside a water scoop air cylinder and having attached to it a rod connected to the operating mechanism of the scoop.
Water Scoop Arm
A bent lever or bell crank, to one end of which the air cylinder piston rod is attached, while to the other the links for raising and lowering the dipper are bolted.
Water Scoop Body
That portion of a water scoop shaped like the frustum of a pyramid that is lowered into the track trough and to the lower end of which the dipper or nozzle is attached. It is usually made of cast iron.
Water Scoop Cylinder Connecting Rod
A short rod attached to the end of the piston rod of a water scoop cylinder, and with a coil spring attached to the end. This spring raises the scoop out of the water when the end of the track tank is reached and holds it in that position.
Water Scoop Cylinder Piston Rod
A wrought-iron or cast-steel rod attached to the piston of the air cylinder at one end, and to the bell crank for operating the water scoop at the other.
Water Scoop Cylinder Support
A metal carrier secured underneath a tender frame for the purpose of holding the water scoop air cylinder, which is bolted to it.
Water Scoop Delivery Pipe
The square pipe which joins the scoop with the siphon pipe in the tender tank.
Water Scoop Delivery Pipe Brace
A rod secured to the tender frame center sills to stiffen the delivery pipe.
Water Scoop Delivery Pipe Bracket
A cast-iron support riveted on to the end of the delivery pipe and having a hole or bearing in its outer end for one of the trunnions of the water scoop.
Water Scoop Dipper
A hinged extension or hood at the end of a water scoop. That portion of the scoop that goes into the water.
Water Scoop Dipper Adjusting Bracket
A support or holder fastened underneath a tender to limit the movement of the dipper arm and thus prevent the scoop from hanging too low and striking the ties or ballast.
Water Scoop Dipper Lifting Link
A short metal bar attached to the bell crank or arm of the scoop-lifting mechanism and to the dipper, for raising it out of the water.
Water Scoop End Support
A metal rod fastened to either side of the outer end of a water scoop, next to the dipper, a.nd to the under side of the tender frame.
Water Scoop Hanger
The bracket or frame fastened underneath a tender frame to support a water scoop and the mechanism for raising and lowering it.
Water Scoop Lifter
One of two links or bars attached to a water scoop at one end and to the water scoop arm at the other.
Water Scoop Locking Cylinder
A small air cylinder whose function is to hold the water scoop in place and prevent it from dropping down on the track.
Water Scoop Neck
The upper end of a water scoop; that portion that joins the water scoop pipe directly under the tender tank.
Water Scoop Operating Lever
The arm or lever by which the water scoop is raised or lowered by hand. It extends up through the tender deck alongside the tank leg.
Water Scoop Operating Lever Connecting Rod
A long piece of pipe or solid rod, attached to the water scoop operating lever at one end and the scoop lifting arm at the other.
Water Scoop Operating Lever Fulcrum
A cast iron support fastened on a tender frame and holding a bolt or pin that passes through the water scoop operating lever.
Water Scoop Pipe
The cast iron or steel plate conduit passing up through a tender for conveying the water forced into the scoop to the top of the tank.
Water Scoop Pneumatic Valve
The valve for admitting compressed air to a water scoop cylinder.
Water Scoop Rod
The rod connecting the water scoop lever with the arm or bell crank.
Water Scoop Shaft
A pivot fastened at right angles to a water scoop arm and resting in bearings in supports or hangers attached to the tender frame by bolts or rivets.
Water Scoop Shaft Bracket
A carrier attached to a tender frame and holding the ends of the water scoop shaft.
Water Scoop Side Brace
A rod fastened on either side of a water scoop and to the side sill of a tender to give transverse stiffness to the scoop.
Water Scoop Spring
The spring used to assist in lowering or raising a water scoop.
Water Scoop Spring Rod
A shaft attached to a water scoop operating mechanism and to the coil spring which forms a part of it.
Water Space
That part of a locomotive boiler that is filled with water, in contrast with the part normally occupied by steam. A Water Leg, which see, is also called a water space.
Water Table
A device for improving the combustion of fuel in a locomotive firebox. The form invented by William Buchanan, of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., consists of two flat, parallel plates, extending diagonally upward from the tube sheet to the back sheet of the firebox. These plates are about 4 Ms inches apart, are strengthened with staybolts in the same manner as are the inner and outer firebox sheets, and form an inclined water leg connecting the front and back legs of the firebox. A hole 18 or 20 inches in diameter is made through the center of the water table for the passage of the products of combustion to the upper part of the firebox on their way to the tubes. Not extensively used.
Water Tube
A pipe containing water and surrounded with hot gases in contrast to a lire tube surrounded by water and having hot gases passing through it. See below.
Water Tube Boiler
A boiler in which water circulates through tubes surrounded by hot gases, the products of combustion in the firebox. Not extensively used for locomotives although tried on the London & South Western.
An electrical unit expressing the rate at which energy is transformed, or work done. It is used to express the product of the voltage of an electric circuit and the current or amperage. As it is a very small unit, a multiple of it, 1,000 times as large, and called a kilowatt, is commonly used. One kilowatt is about 1.34 horsepower.
The rolling component typically pressed onto an axle and mounted on a rail car or locomotive truck or bogie. Wheels are cast or forged (wrought) and are heat treated to have a specific hardness. New wheels are trued to a specific profile before being pressed onto an axle. All wheel profiles must be periodically monitored to insure proper wheel to rail interface. Improperly trued wheels increase rolling resistance, reduce energy efficiency and may create unsafe operation. A railroad wheel typically consists of two main parts: the wheel itself, and the tire around the outside. A railway tire is itself steel, and is typically heated and pressed onto the wheel, where it remains firmly as it shrinks and cools.
The process of a wheel climbing up and often off the inside or gauge side of the rail. It is a major source of derailments. Wheel climb is more likely to occur in curves with wheels whose flanges are worn or have improper angles.[citation needed]
The inner section of a wheel that rides between the two rails. The angle between the wheel tread and flange is often specific to the rail to prevent wheel climb and possible derailments. The wheel flange is part of the wheel tire.[citation needed]
The loss of traction due to a slippery rail or wheel. Wheel slip was common with steam engines as they started to move due to the excessive torque often generated at low speed. Steam engines carried sand dispensing gear to increase traction at the start of motion.[259]
An historical railway occupation; people employed to tap train wheels with hammers and listen to the sound made to determine the integrity of the wheel; cracked wheels, like cracked bells, do not sound the same as their intact counterparts. The job was associated with the steam age, but they still operate in some eastern European countries. Modern planned maintenance procedures have mostly obviated the need for the wheel-tapper.
The slightly conical section (often with a 1 in 20 slope) of a railroad wheel that is the primary contact point with the rail.[citation needed]
Westinghouse Air Brake.
A system of continuous brakes invented and patented (the first patent in 1869) by Mr. George Westinghouse, which is operated by compressed air. The air is compressed, by a steam air pump on the locomotive or an electric motor compressor on the car. and is stored up in a tank called the main reservoir on the engine or tender. By the original form of brake the compressed air was conveyed from the tank by pipes connected together between the cars by flexible brake hose to brake cylinders under each car. by means of which the pressure of the air was communicated to the brake levers, and thence to the brake shoes. A later and improved form is the Westinghouse automatic air brake, commonly called simply Westinghouse brake, which is now in universal use. At the present time the Westinghouse brake, unless otherwise specified, is always understood to mean the automatic air brake. The change made from the original form of the Westinghouse air brake in order to make it automatic was to carry a full pressure of air at all times in the brake pipes and cause the brakes to be applied by a reduction of this pressure instead of by the admission of pressure, so that the breaking apart of the train or a reduction of pressure by escape of air at any point on the brake pipe would apply the brakes to the whole train at once. A further advantage was that the action of the brakes was made quicker by saving the appreciable interval of time required for the compressed air to flow from a single reservoir at one end of the train in sufficient quantities to fill all the brake cylinders. An auxiliary reservoir is placed under each car, containing air at the same pressure as in the brake pipes. An ingenious valve called the triple valve connects the brake pipe, auxiliary reservoir and brake cylinder together in such manner that any reduction of pressure in the brake pipe opens a passage for the air from the auxiliary reservoir to the brake cylinder, applying the brakes, and closes the connection between brake pipe and reservoir. To release the brakes, the pressure in the brake pipes is restored, when the triple valve closes the connection between the auxiliary reservoir and brake cylinder and opens one between the brake cylinder and the outer air and between the auxiliary reservoir and the brake pipe. In order that the train brakes may be applied from any car, each car is fitted with a valve called the conductor's valve, connected to the brake pipe so that the compressed air therein can be permitted to escape by opening the valve.
A new arrangement of air brake apparatus as applied to a locomotive. It differs from previous locomotive brake schedules principally in that the details are centralized and simplified so as to reduce the total number required, occupy less space, and give the engineman a mere certain and flexible control of the locomotive brakes. It has all the good features of any of the older equipment, besides a number of new ones, viz., uniform brake cylinder pressure on engine and tender, and a pressure-maintaining feature by which the brake-cylinder pressure is automatically held to that resulting from the brake application as long as such application lasts. See Distributing Valve.
Westinghouse Friction Draft Gear
A form of draft gear in which the forces are absorbed and dissipated by friction. The friction device is encased in a malleable iron cylinder open at the front end. The front follower bears against a preliminary spring, the other end of which bears against the center wedge of the shape of the frustum of an octagonal pyramid. Surrounding the wedge are four pairs of segmental carriers having one rib each which lies in a groove in the cylinder. The other grooves in the cylinder are filled by friction strips resting on the carriers. These strips are of wrought iron and have lugs formed on them which engage in corresponding cavities in the carriers so that the friction strips must move with the carriers. The function of the preliminary spring is to absorb the light shocks without bringing into action the friction parts. The main release spring, placed back of the carriers, forces the carriers to their normal position when the pressure is removed and also adds to the capacity of the device. When the follower plates are moved toward each other, the preliminary spring is compressed until its capacity of 20,000 pounds is exceeded, when the follower bears against the release pin and forces it forward, relieving the wedge from the pressure of the auxiliary release spring, thereby allowing the compression of the preliminary and auxiliary preliminary springs to force the wedge forward and press the segmental carriers and friction strips firmly into the cylinder grooves. The follower then strikes and forces the segmental carriers in, producing friction between the friction strips and the grooves. The complete movement gives a resistance of 100,000 pounds. In releasing, the preliminary spring is gradually restored, and the auxiliary release spring then forces the wedge out, while the release spring returns the friction strips and carriers, giving a complete release. Owing to the varying width of the slots and lugs on the friction strips and carriers the strips are released four at a time through successive small distances. The operations of buffing and pulling are exactly the same, except that the load comes on the front or rear follower first, as the case may be. See Draft Gear.
Westinghouse SWA-SWB Locomotive Brake Equipment
See Combined Automatic and Straight-Air Locomotive Brake.
Westinghouse Traction Brake
The adaptation of the Westinghouse air brake equipments to electrically propelled cars or trains. The changed conditions of motive power and method of operating such cars or trains have necessitated various changes in the details of the equipments, while the general principles of the Westinghouse straight-air and automatic brakes, which are the foundation of all known air brake equipments, remains the same. A motor-driven air compressor furnishes the compressed air; an electric pump governor controls the operation of the same; the brake and triple valves are of different design to accord with the conditions for which they are required. Otherwise the description of the Westinghouse Air Brake, which see, covers the traction brake also.
Westinghouse Train Air Signal Apparatus.
Also see Train Air Signal Apparatus.
A device for utilizing the supply of compressed air required for operating the Westinghouse brakes to transmit signals to the engine or motorman's cab instead of using the ordinary bell cord.
Westinghouse Unit Switch System of Control
Also see Control System.
A system of control for railway and other motors by means of low potential train line circuits taken from a storage battery under the car which operate electro-magnets controlling pneumatic valves and cylinders operating the main controller circuits under each car by air taken from the brake pipe. The main controller under each car consists of a group of electro-pneumatic switches which give the desired combinations to the motor circuits. A reverse switch and auxiliary resistance are essential parts of the apparatus'under each car. The apparatus is applicable for cither direct current or alternating current motors. Also called Westinghouse electro-pneumatic system of control.
Wheel
1. A circular frame or solid piece of wood or metal which revolves on an axis.
A circular frame or disk, revolving on an axle, serving to support a moving vehicle. Engine truck wheels are sometimes made of chilled cast iron, but more commonly have a cast iron or cast steel center with a steel tire fastened on, as are also tender truck wheels. See Wheel Center.' Driving wheels and trailing wheels are always made with a spoke center of cast iron or cast steel with a steel tire shrunk on. In addition to shrinkage, driving wheel tires are held on by bolts through the rim and by retaining rings also held by bolts.. {{{content}}}
Wheels
(Specification for Cast Iron, A. R. M. M. Recommended Practice). At the convention of 1888 the following specifications and tests for castiron wheels were adopted as standard. In 1801 these were changed to Recommendations. The specifications and tests are as follows: 1. The cliills in which the wheels of any one wheelmakcr are cast shall be of equal diameters, and the same chill must not vary at different points more than one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter. 2. There shall not be a variation of more than one-half inch in the circumference of any given number of wheels of the same nominal diameter, furnished by any one maker, and the same wheel must not vary more than one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter. The body of the wheel must be smooth and free from slag or blow holes. The tread must be free from deep and irregular wrinkles, slag, chill cracks and sweat or beads in the throat which are one-eighth of an inch or over in diameter, or which occur in clusters of more than six inches in length. 3. The wheels broken must show clean, gray iron in the plates; the depth of pure white iron must not exceed seven-eighths of an inch or be less than three-eighths of an inch in the middle of the tread, and shall not be less than three-sixteenths of an inch in the throat. The depth of the white iron shall not vary more than one-fourth of an inch around the tread on the rail line in the same wheel. 4. Wheels shall not vary from the specified weight more than two per cent. 5. The flange shall not vary in the same wheel more than three thirty-seconds of an inch from its mean thickness. 6. The single plate part of a 33-inch wheel, known as the Washburn pattern, shall not be less than five-eighths of an inch in thickness in a wheel weighing from 550 to 575 pounds, and not less than three-fourths of an inch in thickness in a wheel weighing from 575 to 600 pounds.
The hole through the hub or central part of a wheel in which an axle is fitted. Also called axle seat.
Wheel Boss (British).
American term hub. The center of the wheel, which is bored out to receive the axle.
Wheel Center
The portion of a wheel inside of the tire and between it and the hub or boss. The centers of engine and tender truck wheels are sometimes in one piece and sometimes made up of two parts, the hub or boss, and the # central filling piece. Face plates, front and back, are also used. The term is seldom applied to chilled, cast or rolled steel wheels. Driving and trailing wheel centers are made of cast iron or cast steel. In Great Kritain, wheel centers are frequently made of wrought iron.
Wheel Cover
A strip of thin steel plate, curved to a radius slightly greater than that of a wheel, to prevent mud and oil being spattered over the locomotive. Wheel covers are usually bolted to the engine truck frame for the truck wheels, and the under side of the running board for the driving wheels. British, splasher.
Wheel Cover Block
A small piece of metal fastened to a running board or engine truck frame for the attachment of a wheel cover.
Wheel Cover Bracket
A small cast iron post or holder, for the attachment of a wheel cover.
Wheel Cover Edge
A heading or molding formed on the outer edge of a wheel cover.
Wheel Fit
That part of a driving or truck wheel that is forced on an axle or crank pin.
Wheel Flange
The projecting edge or rim on the periphery of a car wheel for keeping it on the rail.
Wheel Hub
Also see Hub.
The center of a wheel surrounding the axle on which it is mounted. British, boss.
Wheel Hub Liner
A brass or bronze disk secured to the inside hub of a wheel to form a wearing surface between the hub and the outside face of the box. Such liners are used on engine truck wheels, driving and trailing wheels.
Wheel Key
A piece of steel slightly tapered, driven into a slot or keyway cut longitudinally in the wheel seat of a driving axle and a corresponding slot in the bore through a driving wheel hub to key or secure the wheel to the axle.
Wheel Plates
That part of a cast iron engine truck or tender truck wheel which connects the rim and the hub. It occupies the place and fulfils the same purpose as the spokes in an open or spoke wheel. On steel-tired wheels the plates connecting the tire and hub, and bolted or fastened to each, are called wheel plates. Distinguished as front and back face plates.
Wheel Press (Hydraulic)
A hydraulic press for forcing locomotive driving wheels on and off their axles. They are fitted with a pressure gage which is usually graduated for total tons pressure and for pounds per square inch on the rams. They are made with capacities up to 400 tons pressure.
Wheel Ribs (Cast Iron Wheels)
More commonly, brackets. Projections cast usually on the inner side of plate car wheels to strengthen them. They are placed in a radial position and are often curved so as to permit the wheel to contract when it cools.
Wheel Rim Filling Piece
A flat steel strip inserted in one of the radial spaces left to allow for shrinkage in casting in the rim of a driving wheel center.
Wheel Seat
That portion of an axle that is forced into a driving wheel or truck wheel.
Wheel Tread
The exterior cylindrical surface of a wheel which bears on the rails. The usual width of wheel tread is about 4 inches, measured from outside of wheel tread to the throat or inside of flange. The standard width from outside of wheel tread to inside face of flange, i. e.. including the entire thickness of flange, is 5!£ inches. For driving wheels the width varies from to 7 inches.
Wheel Web
That portion of a cast iron truck wheel center between the huh and the rim.
Train whistles are used as a safety warning and also by the engineer to communicate to other railroad workers. See train whistle for a description of the whistle code used to communicate. Also a nickname for an air horn on a diesel locomotive. Steam engine whistles were historically known as chimes in the US during the 19th century.
Whistle Bell
A cylindrical brass chamber with flat or hemispherical top, for producing a sound by steam blown against the edge. It is screwed on a stem directly over the whistle bowl.
Whistle Bowl
A hemispherical brass cup with a cylindrical extension below it containing a valve for admitting steam. The bowl has a disk over it that docs not come quite to the edge, thus leaving an annular opening through which the steam escapes, and in the center of which the steam passing up through the bell is secured.
Whistle Crank
A short metal arm attached to the whistle lever in the cab for imparting motion to the lever or bar that opens the whistle valve.
Whistle Crank Fulcrum
A cast-iron bracket fastened in the cab of a locomotive to form a bearing for the whistle shaft.
Whistle Extension
The cylindrical pipe below the bowl of a whistle, containing the whistle valve.
Whistle Lever
An arm or bar in the cab of a locomotive for operating the whistle valve. It is attached to a crank that moves the lever on the whistle through the medium of a link or bar.
Whistle Lever Fulcrum
A small bracket attached to a whistle extension to hold the pin on which the whistle lever is pivoted.
Whistle Lever Rod
A link or bar connecting the whistle lever on the whistle with the operating lever in the cab.
Whistle Nut
A square or hexagonal brass nut screwed on the upper end of a whistle stem to secure the whistle bell in place, and usually surmounted by an acorn-shaped top called the whistle ornament.
An advance warning to the engineer of an upcoming grade crossing. It is the point at which the engineer should begin sounding the whistle or horn.
Whistle Reservoir (Train Air Signal.)
A small steel reservoir sometimes installed for storing air to be used by an air whistle on electric locomotives.
Whistle Shaft
A short metal rod in the cab, supported by a hanger or fulcrum at each end, and having the whistle lever and whistle crank attached to it.
Whistle Stem
A steel or malleable iron standard, screwed in the center of a whistle bowl, and supporting the whistle bell. The bell has a hole through the top, tapped with a thread to fit that cut on the upper end of the whistle stem, which allows the height of the bell above the bowl to be adjusted.
Whistle Valve
A disk with a shank or stem attached, fitting in an opening in the whistle extension for admitting steam to the whistle to cause it to sound. It is operated by a set of levers in the cab.
A system of describing steam locomotive wheel arrangements (e.g. 4-6-4, 2-10-2). The first number indicates the number of "pilot" wheels that help lead the engine into turns. The second is the number of coupled wheels ("drivers"). Third are the trailing idler wheels, usually to provide support to larger fireboxes. Articulated locomotives are similarly described. For example, a Union Pacific "Big Boy" would be described as a 4-8-8-4, wherein the pilot has four wheels, followed by two sets of drivers, eight wheels per set, and a four-wheel trailing bogie under the firebox. The numbers include the wheels on both sides of the engine, so a 2-8-2 engine would have one idler, four drivers, and a final idler on each side of the engine.
Wide Firebox Boiler
A boiler with a wide, shallow firebox resting on the frames and extending out beyond them at the sides. The Wootten Firebox, which see, is a wide firebox for burning anthracite coal.
A largely superseded Level or grade crossing warning signal that consists of a swinging disc facing road traffic, with a red light in the centre. The disc normally hangs straight down, but an approaching train sets it swinging from side to side, the red light illuminates or flashes, and a bell rings.
Window
"An opening in the wall of a building or cab for the admission of light and of air when necessary. This opening has a frame on the sides, in winch are set movable sashes containing panes of glass." – Webster. Hence the window itself, especially in compound words, is often termed simply the sash.[260]
Window Glass
Panes of glass used for windows. They are either plate or rolled glass, made by pouring the molten glass onto a table having the height of the desired thickness of the plate, and then passing a roller over the top; or blown, or common window glass, the latter being by far the cheapest and most widely used, but of very much inferior quality. It is made by blowing the glass into a largo bulb, which is then slit open while still hot and flattened out.[261]
Window Sill
A horizontal piece of wood or metal under a window, on which the cab sashes rest when down.[261]
Working water, foaming, or priming
The condition of a steam locomotive drawing water through its throttle valve, cylinders, and smokestack, often causing damage to the cylinders or running gear.[citation needed]
Wootten Firebox
A locomotive firebox, very wide and shallow and having a curved crown sheet of large radius, used for anthracite coal burning locomotives which require a large grate area.[261]
Worn Flat (Car Wheels)
Irregular wear under fair usage, due to unequal hardness of the tread of the wheel, and to be carefully distinguished from slid flat, which is a defect produced by the slipping of the wheels from excessive brake pressure.[261]
Wrecking Chain
A heavy steel chain, carried on a locomotive for use in emergencies.[261]
1. A contrivance for screwing and unscrewing a nut.[261]
2. A socket wrench is one having a cavity to receive a square or hexagonal end. The wrenches for the Westinghouse brake are packing nut and cap screw wrenches, and the discharge valve seat wrench.
3. A spanner is a wrench for use on round or many sided nuts, like hose couplings, to which lugs or slots are added for engaging with the wrench.
4. An alligator wrench for use on pipe or other cylindrical surfaces has immovable jaws, one serrated and the other smooth, inclined to each other at an acute angle.
5. A monkey wrench has smooth, parallel jaws, one of which is fastened to the handle or stem, while the other can be moved up to or away from it by a sleeve nut working on a thread cut on the stem.
A wye (like the 'Y' glyph) or triangular junction is a triangular joining arrangement of three rail lines with a railroad switch (set of points) at each corner connecting to each incoming line.[citation needed]
Yedit
Railroad yard in Chicago, Illinois, as seen in December 1942
Yard
An arrangement of tracks where rolling stock is switched to and from trains, freight is loaded or unloaded, and consists made up.[262][31]
A method of climbing and descending steep gradients, where shallow-gradient track reverses direction for a while, and then reverses again to continue in the original direction.
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The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject You may improve this article discuss the issue on the talk page or create a new article as appropriate July 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message Rail transport terms are a form of technical terminology applied to railways Although many terms are uniform across different nations and companies they are by no means universal with differences often originating from parallel development of rail transport systems in different parts of the world and in the national origins of the engineers and managers who built the inaugural rail infrastructure An example is the term railroad used but not exclusively in North America and railway generally used in English speaking countries outside North America and by the International Union of Railways In English speaking countries outside the United Kingdom a mixture of US and UK terms may exist 1 The abbreviation UIC refers to terminology adopted by the International Union of Railways in its official publications and thesaurus 2 Contents 0 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z See also References Further reading External links0 9 editFor 4 4 0 2 6 4T 0 4 4 0 etc see Whyte notation A editAcorn A general term used to finish the ends of rods of various forms 3 Adhesion railway The most common type of railway where power is applied by driving some or all of the wheels of the locomotive 4 Adhesive weight The weight on the driving wheels of a locomotive which determines the frictional grip between wheels and rail and hence the drawbar pull a locomotive can exert 5 Adjusting spring A heavy spiral spring or nest of springs used for controlling the side motion of a two wheel radial trailing truck 3 Adjusting spring case Also Centering spring cylinder A cylindrical cast iron holder in which an adjusting string is placed 3 Adjusting spring seat A casting or a part of the bolster of a two wheel trailing truck forming a bearing for the end of the adjusting spring 3 Admission The opening of steam port to admit steam to one end of a cylinder If the valve has no lead admission takes place at the moment the piston of its stroke and just as it is to begin the return stroke 3 Air brake Also Railway air brake Any brake operated by air pressure but usually restricted to systems of continuous brakes operated by compressed air in distinction from Vacuum Brakes which are operated by creating a vacuum The air is compressed by some form of steam pump on the locomotive or a motor compressor on electric locomotives and is conveyed by pipes and flexible hose between the engine tender and cars to cylinders and pistons under the tender and each car by which the pressure is transmitted to the brake levers and thence to the brake shoes This system is what is now termed the straight air brake This brake is now obsolete in steam road practice having been replaced by the Automatic Air Brake 3 Air brake hose Flexible tubes made of alternate layers of rubber and canvas by which the brake pipes under engines tenders and cars are connected together and compressed air which operates the brakes conducted through the train The hose is made with a coupling at each end of the engine and tender so that it can readily be connected or disconnected Also called air hose and brake hose 3 Air cylinder air pump A cylinder forming part of the air brake pump and having its piston fastened to the same rod to which the piston of the steam cylinder is fastened It is furnished with air inlet and discharge valves at each end communicating respectively with the air inlet and the discharge pipe 3 Air cylinder bracket A projecting piece of metal bolted to the frame of a locomotive or tender to which the brake cylinder is attached See Truck Brake Tender Brake 3 Air cylinder gasket See Gasket 3 Air cylinder oil cup air pump A small brass receptacle with a stopcock or faucet screwed to the air cylinder of an air pump to hold a supply of lubricant for the air cylinder See Automatic Air Cylinder Oil Cup 3 Air drum Also Main Reservoir and Reservoir A cylindrical reservoir made of sheet steel into which air is pumped and stored for use in the air brake system and train air signal line Sometimes placed under the cab deck or between the frames in front of the guide yoke but now two are commonly used placed under the running board near the cab one on each side of the engine 3 Air drum hanger An iron strap riveted to the lower side of the running board or to the boiler to support the air drum 3 Air drum head The end of the air drum to which the cylindrical body is riveted or welded 3 Air drum saddle A strip of iron fastened to the locomotive frame for supporting the air drum or drums when the drums are placed between the cylinder saddles and the guide yoke 3 Air gage air brake A gage to register the pressure of air in the reservoirs brake pipe or brake cylinders similar to an ordinary steam pressure gage They are made either with a single pointer or with two pointers to indicate on one dial both the reservoir pressure and the brake pipe pressure The latter type is called a duplex gage 3 Air gage fitting A pipe connection by means of whichan air gage is connected to an engineer s brake valve in a locomotive cab 3 Air gage stand A bracket or support to hold an air gage 3 Alerter or watchdog Similar to the dead man s switch other than it does not require the operator s constant interaction Instead an alarm is sounded at a preset interval in which the operator must respond by pressing a button to reset the alarm and timer if no other controls are operated If the operator does not respond within a preset time the prime mover is automatically throttled back to idle and the brakes are automatically applied 6 Adhesion railway All weather adhesion The adhesion available during traction mode with 99 reliability in all weather conditions 7 Alternator An electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current 8 American Locomotive Company Alco The second largest builder of steam locomotives in the United States 9 10 American type A steam locomotive with a 4 4 0 wheel arrangement 11 nbsp The American wheel arrangementAngle cock A valve affixed to each end of a piece of rolling stock that when opened admits compressed air to the brake pipe or vents it to the atmosphere if air hose is detached 12 Annett s key A large key which locks levers or other items of signalling apparatus thereby serving as a portable form of interlocking citation needed Articulated locomotive A steam locomotive with one or more engine units that can move relative to the main frame 9 13 Articulated vehicles articulation The sharing of one truck by adjacent ends of two rail vehicles Ashpan A feature of a locomotive with the same form and purpose as the domestic variety i e to collect the ashes that fall through the bars of the grate The only significant difference is the size measured in feet rather than inches Asynchronous motor An alternating current electric motor whose speed varies with load and has no fixed relation to the frequency of the supply Atlantic type nbsp The Atlantic wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 4 2 wheel arrangement 14 15 16 Automatic block signaling ABS A system that consists of a series of signals that divide a railway line into a series of blocks and then functions to control the movement of trains between them through automatic signals Automatic train control ATC A system that applies an emergency brake if the driver does not react to certain signals or speed restrictions 17 Automatic train operation ATO A technology for automation of trains Automatic train protection ATP A system that enforces obedience to signals and speed restrictions by speed supervision including automatic stop at signals 18 GWR Autotrain A branch line train consisting of a steam locomotive and passenger carriages that can be driven from either end by means of rodding to the regulator and an additional vacuum brake valve The fireman remains with the locomotive and when the driver is at the other end the fireman controls the cut off and vacuum ejectors in addition to his usual duties See also Push pull train nbsp A Swiss axle boxAxlebox The housing that holds the axle bearings on a rail vehicle 19 The housing that attaches to the end of the axle to the bogie and contains the bearing on which the axle rotates 20 See also journal box below B edit nbsp The backhead of UP 4017 a locomotive at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay WisconsinBackhead The cab side rear panel of a steam locomotive boiler through which the firebox is accessed 21 nbsp An example of a BNSF Railway bad order repair tagBad order A tag or note applied to a defective piece of equipment Generally equipment tagged as bad order must not be used until repaired inspected and approved for use 22 23 Bail off To release the locomotive brakes while the train brakes are applied to permit smoother handling and prevent excessive slack wheel slide and flat wheels 24 Balancing The reciprocation and revolving masses of any steam diesel or electric locomotive need balancing if it is to work smoothly Revolving masses can easily be balanced by counterweights but the balancing of reciprocating parts is a matter of compromise and judgement Balise A transponder that is used as an intermittent data point in an automatic train protection ATP system or as reference point for train location in radio based train control 18 Ballast Aggregate stone gravel or cinders forming the track bed on which sleepers ties and track are laid to ensure stability and proper drainage 22 25 Ballast tamper See Tamping machine Balloon A looped length of track usually at the end of a spur or branch which trains use to turn around for the return trip without reversing or shunting Can be used as part of a freight installation to allow the loading or unloading of bulk materials without the need to stop the train see merry go round train MGR citation needed Bay platform A platform and track arrangement where the train pulls into a siding or dead end when serving the platform Bellmouth A widening of an underground rail tunnel in preparation for future connection or expansion of service Used particularly in subway nomenclature 26 27 nbsp The Berkshire wheel arrangementBerkshire type A steam locomotive with a 2 8 4 wheel arrangement 28 29 30 Bilevel rail car A type of rail car that has two levels of passenger accommodation as opposed to one increasing passenger capacity Blastpipe A part of a steam locomotive that discharges exhaust steam from the cylinders into the smokebox beneath the chimney to increase draught through the fire Block section A section of track in a fixed block system that a train may only enter when it is not occupied by other vehicles 31 Bo Bo Europe A locomotive with a four wheel two wheels per truck configuration each individually powered as opposed to a six wheel Co Co configuration Bogie A swivel mounted wheel assembly known as a Truck in North America Boiler A cylindrical container adjacent to the firebox in which steam is produced to drive a steam locomotive 32 Bolster A transverse floating beam member of a truck suspension system supporting the weight of a vehicle body 33 Boom barrier nbsp Boom barriers at a railway crossing in FranceA pivoted road barrier at a level crossing Booster engine An extra set of cylinders that can be engaged on a steam locomotive to drive a trailing truck or tender truck to give additional tractive effort at starting and low speeds 22 34 Brakeman s cabin or brakeman s cab A small hut at one end of a railway wagon to protect the brakeman from the elements Brake pipe The main air pipe of a train s air brake system 35 Branch line A secondary railway line that splits off from a main line 22 Brick arch A brick or concrete baffle provided at the front of a locomotive firebox below the tubes to extend the flame path Early locomotives burned coke provision of a brick arch was necessary before coal could be used without producing excessive smoke British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment BRUTE A type of platform trolley found on stations all over the UK rail network from the late 1960s to the early 1980s Broad gauge Track where the rails are spaced farther apart than standard gauge or 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in 22 Bubble car A nickname for a British Rail Class 121 railcar 36 Buckeye coupler A side operated version of the top or bottom operated Janney coupler 37 Buffer A device that cushions the ends of rail vehicles against each other Buffer stop or bumper post The barrier installed at the end of a dead end track to prevent rail vehicles from proceeding further Builder s plate The nameplate fitted by their manufacturer to locomotives and items of rolling stock Bulkhead flatcar An open top flatcar with a wall at each end Bungalow The housing for signals and communications computers that control switches crossings and other such controls relaying information to and from the rail traffic control RTC 38 Bustitution A blend of the words bus and substitution the practice of replacing a train service with one provided by buses whether as a temporary or a permanent measure C editCab The control room of a locomotive housing the engine crew and the controls 39 40 Cab forward A steam locomotive with its cab at the leading end of the boiler rather than the usual trailing end adjacent to the tender The best known example is the Southern Pacific Railroad s AC type built to handle drag freights through the SP s many tunnels and snow sheds without the danger of the exhaust asphyxiating the engine crew Cabless A locomotive without a cab Commonly referred to as a B unit or a Slug although not all Slugs are cabless Caboose nbsp A caboose on display at the National New York Central Railroad MuseumIn North America a railroad car attached usually to the end of a train in which railroad workers could ride and monitor track and rolling stock conditions Largely obsolete having been replaced by the electronic end of train device ETD or flashing rear end device FRED 41 Cant The angle of an individual rail relative to vertical e g around curves Carbody unit A locomotive that derives structural strength from a bridge truss design framework in the sides and roof which cover the full width of the locomotive Catenary nbsp A catenary is visible above this electric Amtrak train The overhead wire system used to send electricity to an electric locomotive or multiple unit tram or light rail vehicle 41 Centerbeam A bulkhead flatcar with a braced beam bisecting its length used to transport lumber products Challenger type nbsp The Challenger wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 6 6 4 wheel arrangement 42 43 44 45 Chord A section of subsidiary track that interconnects two primary tracks that cross at separated grades to permit traffic to flow between them Co Co locomotives EU A heavier duty locomotive with six wheels three wheels per truck all axles being separately driven configuration as opposed to a four wheel Bo Bo configuration The correct classification is Co Co but Co Co is used more often Coal pusher A steam operated device in the tender intended to push coal forward to a point where it can be shovelled directly into the fire 46 Colour light signal A signal in which the colour of the light determines the signal meaning Colour position signal A signal that uses both colour and light position to indicate meaning Combined power handle A handle or lever that controls both the throttle and dynamic braking on the locomotive on a desktop type control stand forward away from operator past center operates the dynamic brake backward toward operator past center is throttle up 47 48 49 Compound locomotive A steam locomotive passing steam through two sets of cylinders One set uses high pressure steam then passes the low pressure exhausted steam to the second 50 Configurable System Capability of the system to allow users to select from pre programmed functions modular software units those functions necessary to accomplish a control strategy or other complex function without the use of computer language 51 Consist Single vehicle or a group of vehicles that are not separated during normal operation 52 Consolidation type nbsp The Consolidation wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 8 0 wheel arrangement 53 54 Container on flat car COFC The loading of a shipping container onto a simple flat car 41 Continuous welded rail CWR A form of track made from rails welded together by with a thermite reaction or flash butt welding to form one continuous rail that may be several kilometres long 41 Control car A passenger coach with a full set of train controls at one end allowing for the use of push pull train operation 55 Control System The microprocessor based control and fault diagnostic system has been developed for conventional electric locomotives including locos provided with static converter It performs logical control of the locomotive by continuously monitoring various digital analog inputs and checks for any abnormality in the operation 56 Coupler pulling faces length over Effective length of piece of rolling stock Coupling rods Rods between crank pins on the wheels transferring power from a driving axle to a driven axle of a locomotive 57 Covered goods wagon UIC A type of rolling stock with a flat bottom enclosed on all sides and top which is loaded and unloaded from sliding doors on each side 22 58 Cow calf or cow and calf A diesel locomotive with a crew cab permanently coupled to and acting as a controller for a similar slave diesel locomotive without a crew cab primarily used for switching or shunting duties for large groups of rolling stock Also known as master and slave Crank pin A pin protruding from a wheel into a main or coupling rod Crosshead In a steam locomotive the moving member of a sliding guide that absorbs upward and downward forces from the connecting main rod which otherwise would tend to bend the piston rod 59 Cut To uncouple one or more cars from a train i e to make a cut 60 Same as cutting 60 Cut lever A manual lever that releases the pin of an automatic coupler when pulled to separate cars or locomotives 61 62 Cut off Also see Reverser handle A variable device on steam locomotives that closes the steam valve to the steam cylinder before the end of the piston stroke thus conserving steam while letting steam in the cylinder expand under its own energy Cutting A channel dug through a hillside to enable rail track to maintain a shallow gradient See also embankment Cycle braking Making repeated service brake reductions in short succession to maintain a constant speed on short but steep grades Each reduction must be at least 5 PSI lower than the previous one to keep the brakes applying regularly but excessive cycle braking can deplete the air supply and require an emergency application 63 Cylinder A cavity in a reciprocating engine in which a piston travels Cylinder cock On steam locomotives crews use this appurtenance to drain water from the steam cylinders when the throttle is open thus preventing damage to the pistons running gear and cylinder heads 64 D editDark signal A block signal that is displaying no discernible aspect often due to burned out lamps or local power failure Most railroads require that a dark signal be treated as displaying its most restrictive aspect e g stop and stay for an absolute signal 65 Dark territory A section of track without block signals 66 Dead end rail A railway ending in a locality terminus with no other rail services Typically includes buffer stops at the end of the tracks The opposite of rail crossing Dead man s handle A safety mechanism on a train controller that automatically applies the brake if the driver releases the handle It is intended to stop a train if the driver is incapacitated In some forms this device may be pedal actuated See also Dead man s vigilance device Decapod type nbsp The Decapod wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 10 0 wheel arrangement 67 68 69 Defect detector A track side device used to detect various defects such as hotboxes overheated axle bearings dragging equipment leaning cars overloaded cars overheight cars seized locked wheels etc 70 Degraded Operation Operation resulting from an unplanned event that prevents the normal delivery of train services 31 Demurrage A monetary charge levied by a railroad to a customer for excessive delay in loading or unloading cars Derail or derailer A safety device that derails vehicles that pass it typically to prevent rolling stock from accidentally entering the mainline from a siding 70 Detonator nbsp A detonator on a railA small explosive charge placed on the running rail which detonates loudly when run over to warn drivers in following trains of an incident ahead Known as a torpedo in the United States Diamond nbsp A railroad crossing at grade also known as a diamondTrack that lets a rail line cross another at grade 70 Diesel multiple unit DMU nbsp A diesel multiple unit in PolandA set of diesel powered self propelling passenger rail vehicles able to operate in multiple with other such sets Such units especially those consisting of a single vehicle are sometimes termed railcars Direct traffic control DTC A system in which train dispatchers communicate directly with train crews via radio to authorize track occupancy in predefined blocks 70 Distributed power A practice originally used to move large trains through the mountains Now commonly used to facilitate longer heavier trains in all types of terrain Consists of the locomotives on the head end a swing mid train helper or two and pusher locomotive s on the rear today all units are remotely controlled by the engineer in the lead unit The remote locomotives are referred to as Distributed Power Units DPUs The power distribution alleviates stress on the couplers and relieves the lead units of the full weight of the train making it easier to move on grades Ditch lights nbsp A Canadian National Railway train showing the placement of ditch lights on the locomotiveA pair of lights usually found on modern locomotives located some distance below and outboard of the main headlight They may also flash alternately when a locomotive sounds its horn 71 Division In North America the trackage area under the jurisdiction of a railway superintendent 72 Dog or dogspike India A spike with a slightly altered head shape for easier extraction when the spike has become too loose in the sleeper 73 74 Doodlebug A self powered gasoline electric passenger car used for small capacity rural commuter service 70 Also a British Rail Class 153 DMU Double If a train has insufficient power to climb a grade and no helpers are available the crew splits the train into two sections and runs them separately to the top 75 Double heading A configuration in which two locomotives are coupled head to tail so they can haul a heavy train up a long or steep hill Currently double heading and occasionally triple heading are used primarily by large passenger trains or as a show for railfans Drag A long heavy freight train moving at low speed Dragging equipment detector See Defect detector 70 Drawbar The part of a coupler that attaches to the frame of the car or locomotive may be equipped with a pneumatic cushion depending on a freight car s design cargo e g an autorack Alternately the pinned double bars coupling a steam locomotive to its tender Driver or engine driver The operator of a locomotive 76 Driver only operation DO or DOO Operation of a train by the engineer or driver only 77 self published source Also known as one person train operation OPTO Driver A wheel in contact with the rail that also propels a locomotive Dual control stand the practice of having two control stands a control stand is a diesel locomotive subsystem which integrates all engine and brake functional controls within the operational radius of the locomotive engineer s left forearm from his her customary seating position facing forward at all times in the cab of a hood unit locomotive one on either side facing opposite directions to allow operation either long hood or short hood forward at all times Dwarf signal A signal light that is considerably smaller and closer to the ground than a high mast signal often absolute and placed within interlocking limits its aspects tend to differ from those conveyed by a taller signal for certain indications Also called pot or jack Dwell time The time a train spends at a scheduled stop without moving Typically this time is spent boarding or deboarding passengers but it may also be spent waiting for traffic ahead to clear or idling time in order to get back on schedule 78 Dynamic braking The use of a traction motors output working as generators to retard train speed without relying solely on the air brakes E editEjector A component of vacuum brake system usually fitted in pairs Steam passing through a cone sucks air from the train pipe to create the vacuum A small ejector running continuously to overcome leaks and to restore the vacuum after light braking and a large ejector operated when needed to release the brakes quickly after a heavy application or to create the initial vacuum after coupling Electric multiple unit EMU A set of electrically powered self propelling passenger rail vehicles able to operate in multiple with other such sets Electro Motive Diesel EMD The world s second largest builder of railroad locomotives EMD was previously Electro Motive Division of General Motors before being sold Elevated railway el or L A railway built on supports over city streets Embankment A bank usually of earth but sometimes of stone constructed to form a level or minimally graded trackbed for a line of railway needing to pass over a depression in the terrain or other pre existing surface feature See also cutting Empty coaching stock ECS A train used to bring carriages into or out of service They usually run between sidings and main stations with the carriages then forming a service train to another destination They are often worked under freight train rules e g without needing a guard in the UK 79 Emergency release A device accessible under certain conditions that permits the operation of an apparatus in case of failure 80 End cab switcher A switching locomotive with no short hood thus having its cab forming one end of its car body Engineer In North America the operator of a locomotive Equalizing reservoir A small air reservoir in a locomotive control stand When the automatic brake valve is operated this reservoir responds by reducing or increasing the air pressure in the brake pipe 81 Event recorder A device that continuously captures analog and digital train systems information and stores that data for a minimum of 48 hours This data is used to evaluate incidents and accidents Typical stored data includes speed brake pressure dynamic brake horn activation track signal etc In the U S event recorders are mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration FRA for freight passenger and commuter rail Regulations for railroads outside the U S vary by country Transit operations are not generally required to have event recorders but have begun to add them voluntarily Express train A train that passes selected stations without stopping citation needed Extra A train not included in the normal schedule of a railroad 82 83 84 They often run during busy holiday travel periods in order to handle larger crowds and reduce the number of passengers waiting or stranded at a station In train order territory extras are required to clear the main line for scheduled trains to pass 85 F editFacing A turnout that can select which way to diverge a train the opposite of trailing Fairlie A type of articulated locomotive typically but not exclusively with two boilers and connected fireboxes in a central cab Fall plate A heavy hinged steel plate attached in a horizontal position to the rear of the locomotive footplate or front of a locomotive tender When the tender is attached to its locomotive the plate is allowed to fall to cover the gap in the floor between the two units The sliding edge is not fixed and has a smooth chamfer so as to avoid a trip hazard 86 Fallen flag An abandoned or bankrupt railroad or one absorbed by another company that loses its historic name 87 Feedwater heater A device to preheat the water for a steam locomotive to improve efficiency Feed valve or regulating valve A valve that controls the amount of air pressure channelled from the locomotive s main reservoir to the brake pipe in accordance with the set pressure in the equalizing reservoir 88 Fiddle yard In railway modelling a concealed group of sidings used to provide more realistic operation in a limited space Firebox In steam locomotives a chamber in which a fire produces sufficient heat to create steam once the hot gases created there are carried into the adjacent boiler via tubes or flues 89 Fireman stoker or boilerman A worker whose primary job is to shovel coal into the firebox and ensure that the boiler maintains sufficient steam pressure Flat A wheel defect where the tread of a wheel has a flat spot and is no longer round flats can be heard as regular clicking or banging noises when the wheel passes by This is caused either by a locked bearing or a brake that was not fully released before the car was moved dragging the wheel without turning 90 Flying junction or flyover A railway junction that has a track configuration in which merging or crossing railroad lines provide track connections with each other without requiring trains to cross in front of opposing traffic on the same level 90 Fouling point A point of a switch turnout where a car or locomotive on one track obstructs movements on the adjacent track 91 self published source Four quadrant gate nbsp Four quadrant gates risingA type of boom barrier Free mo A type of modular layout in model railroading Freight wagon UIC A rail vehicle designed for the carriage of freight Full service reduction nbsp A brakeman uses a fusee to demonstrate a hand signal indicating stop The maximum air pressure that can be exerted against brake pistons in a normal brake application To increase pressure beyond this point the brakes must be placed in emergency 92 Fusee A pyrotechnic device similar to an automotive flare that is used in signalling 90 Fusible plug A threaded plug with a soft metal core that is screwed into the crown plate of a firebox If the water level gets too low the core melts and the noise of the escaping steam warns the enginemen G editGarratt locomotive nbsp Concept of the Garratt locomotiveA type of steam locomotive that is articulated into three parts 93 Gauge The width between the inner faces of the rails Geep nbsp An EMD GP38 2 General Purpose GP locomotives are often called a Geep Any of the GP general purpose series of Electro Motive four axle diesel locomotives originally applied only to EMD GP7 GP9 and GP18 models 94 Generator field The control switch of a diesel electric locomotive that opens or closes the circuit between the main generator and the traction motors 95 Get a knuckle To break a train in two usually by shearing the knuckle pin in a coupler often caused by the application of excessive head end power at startup 96 97 GEVO A nickname for General Electric s Evolution series of modern diesel locomotives 98 99 Gladhand connector A quick coupling and uncoupling connector at the end of a trainline air hose that resembles a pair of shaking hands when hoses are connected Go devil A hand powered railroad car see Handcar and Draisine or a small gasoline powered railroad car 100 101 Grab bar or Grab iron A handle on the side of a car to allow switching personnel to hold on 102 H editHarmonic rock or harmonic rock and roll The condition of locomotives and cars swaying in opposite directions when traversing depressions on the roadbed A potentially dangerous condition that can cause coupler damage lading damage or derailments at slower speeds 103 104 Head End Power A scheme whereby the locomotive engine or a separate generator provides hotel power to carriages 105 Headboard A sign attached to a locomotive to identify a named train or charter or for other special occasions 106 Headstock A transverse structural member located at the extreme end of a rail vehicle s underframe The headstock supports the coupling at that end of the vehicle and may also support buffers in which case it may also be known as a buffer beam 107 Heavy haul Heavy freight operations 108 109 110 High rail The upper rail in a curve or superelevation which typically experiences higher lateral loads and greater wear Hole A passing siding Inferior trains lay over in the hole to let superior ones pass 111 Home signal See absolute signal Horn blocks Plates lining the axlebox cut outs in a locomotive frame to allow smooth vertical movement under control of the springs 112 113 Hostling The action of shuttling a locomotive from the yard to the engine house or vice versa 114 Hotbox An axle bearing that has become excessively hot due to friction 105 115 116 Hotbox detector A device attached to the track that monitors passing trains for hot axles and reports results via radio transmission typical in the US or a circuit to the signal box typical in the UK See defect detector 105 Hudson type nbsp The Hudson wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 6 4 wheel arrangement 30 117 Hump A raised section in a rail sorting yard that allows operators to use gravity to move freight railcars into the proper position within the yard when making up trains of cars This is faster and requires less effort than moving cars with a switching engine 105 Hunting Swaying motion of a railway vehicle or bogie caused by the coning action on which the directional stability of an adhesion railway depends The truck or bogie wanders from side to side between the rails hunting for the optimum location based on the forces at play 105 I editIndependent brake or locomotive brake The braking system that applies or releases the brakes of a locomotive independently from its train 118 119 Infill station or in fill station A train station built on an existing passenger line to address demand in a location between existing stations Injector A device to force water into a steam locomotive s boiler by steam pressure 120 Insulated rail joint IRJ or insulated block joint IBJ Rail joints incorporating insulation to isolate individual track circuits 121 122 Interchange Any track or yard where rail cars are transferred from one carrier to another 123 124 Interlocking An arrangement of switches and signals interconnected in a way that each movement follows the other in a proper and safe sequence 125 Intermodal freight transport Moving goods by more than one type of vehicle often achieved using shipping containers that are transferred among railroad flatcars ships airplanes and tractor trailer trucks 120 Intermodal passenger transport Moving people by more than one type of vehicle 120 Interoperability Ability of a transport network to operate trains and infrastructures to provide accept and use services so exchanged without any substantial change in functionality or performance 126 Island platform A railway platform that has tracks along the full lengths of both sidesJ edit nbsp A journal box complete with bearing and journalJacobs Bogie A Bogie or truck American shared between two pieces of rolling stock Cars joined with Jacobs bogies are semi permanently joined in an articulated configuration A weight saving feature used on lightweight passenger trains Joint bar or rail joiner A metal plate that joins the ends of rails in jointed track 127 Jointed track Track in which the rails are laid in lengths of around 20 m and bolted to each other end to end by means of fishplates or joint bars 128 Journal bearing A bearing without rolling elements a plain bearing 129 Journal box The housing of a journal bearing 129 130 See also Axlebox above Jubilee type nbsp The Jubilee wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 4 4 wheel arrangement 131 Junction A point at which two lines or separate routes diverge from each other 128 K editKeeper A padlock or hook securing the lever of a hand operated switch thereby preventing the switch points from moving as rolling stock passes over them 132 133 Kick To shove a car a short distance and uncouple it in motion allowing it to roll free under gravity and or its own inertia onto a track Commonly practiced in bowl or hump yards to make up or break down trains or classify large numbers of cars in an expedient fashion Differs from a flying switch in that the locomotive is pushing the car rather than pulling it when the cut is made 134 Kicker A freight car with a defect in its brake valve that causes the entire train s brake system to go into emergency when any application is made 135 Kinematic envelope KE The outline of the space beside and above the track that must be kept clear of obstructions for the train to pass This can be larger than the static clearance around an unmoving engine or car 136 See also loading gauge and structure gauge Knuckle The articulating part of a coupler that locks automatically in its closed position to join rail cars so named because its movement resembles that of the human finger 137 L editLead track A non main track from which several others branch within a short distance such as within a rail yard or engine terminal 138 Level crossing LC railroad crossing railway crossing train crossing or grade crossing A crossing on one level at grade intersection without recourse to a bridge or tunnel generally of a railway line by a road or path Not to be confused with non dead end railways see Rail crossing Light engine A locomotive travelling on its own or perhaps with just a caboose brake van attached 139 Light rail A city based rail system based on tram design standards that operates mostly in private rights of way separated from other traffic but sometimes if necessary mixed with other traffic in city streets 140 Light rail vehicles LRVs generally have a top speed of around 55 mph 89 km h though mostly operating at much lower speeds more akin to road vehicles Light rail vehicles usually run on trackage that weighs less per foot due to a smaller track profile than the tracks used for main line freight trains thus they are light rail due to the smaller rails usually used 139 Link and pin An obsolete method of coupling rail cars consisting of manually dropping the coupling pin into the drawbar as the cars joined Extremely hazardous to the brakemen of its day it was outlawed in the United States by the Railroad Safety Appliance Act of 1893 Local train A train that stops at most if not all stations along its route 141 Lunar An off white color of railway signal light like the Moon achieved by the use of a clear lens of very light blue to make it distinct from a light that has a broken lens 142 143 M editMaglev A system of high speed train transportation that uses two sets of magnets one set to repel and push the train up off the track and another set to move the elevated train ahead taking advantage of the lack of friction Main generator The electric generator in a diesel electric locomotive that is coupled directly to the prime mover and feeds electrical energy to the traction motors 144 Main reservoir The compressed air tank of a locomotive containing source air for the brakes and other pneumatic appliances 145 self published source Mallet A type of compound articulated locomotive designed by the Swiss mechanical engineer Anatole Mallet pronounced mallay 146 147 See Compound engine Manifest An express freight train carrying a variety of general merchandise 148 149 Mars Light A nose mounted mechanically oscillated light used to warn traffic of an approaching locomotive Functionally replaced by ditch lights on modern locomotives Mechanical semaphore signal A signal in which the aspect is conveyed by moving an arm 150 151 Meet In rail transport operations a meet occurs when two trains arrive at a location and pass each other on parallel tracks such as on a siding usually in opposing directions 152 153 This is also sometimes referred to as a crossing of two trains 154 Mikado type nbsp The Mikado wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 8 2 wheel arrangement 155 Milk train In the U S milk trains ran from the countryside to cities making numerous stops at minor depots to pick up cans of fresh milk making them a colloquial expression for a very slow train In the U K an aggregator for transporting milk from farms to dairies such as British Railways Milk Trains as these trains invariably ran very early in the morning milk train became a colloquialism for a particularly early train 156 157 158 Modalohr An inter modal car Mogul type nbsp The Mogul wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 6 0 wheel arrangement 159 Mothballed A track that is still serviceable but no trains are running on them 160 161 Mountain type nbsp The Mountain wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 8 2 wheel arrangement 162 Mud ring The bottom of the water space surrounding a steam locomotive s firebox that collects solids precipitating from the water supply during the boiling process 163 Multiple aspect signalling A system of colour light signalling in which signals may show three or four aspects 164 Multiple unit MU A self propelled rail vehicle that can be joined with compatible others and controlled from a single driving station The sub classes of this type of vehicle Diesel Multiple Unit DMU Diesel Electric Multiple Unit DEMU and Electric Multiple Unit EMU are more common terms These may also be termed railcars Multiple unit train control The control of multiple locomotives or MUs from a single set of controls N edit nbsp Comparison between standard gauge blue and one common narrow gauge red rail spacingNarrow gauge Railroad track where the rails are spaced less than 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in apart 165 Northern type nbsp The Northern wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 4 8 4 wheel arrangement also known in North America as Pocono Niagara Confederation Greenbrier and Potomac 166 167 Notch 8 or run 8 The eighth notch of a locomotive throttle control indicating full power on the standard American diesel locomotive control scheme 168 169 O editOpen wagon UIC A form of freight hauling car for bulk goods 170 Out to foul When equipment is placed ahead of the fouling point of a switch turnoutP edit nbsp The Pacific wheel arrangement nbsp A pantographPacific type A steam locomotive with a 4 6 2 wheel arrangement 171 Pannier tank A tank locomotive where the water tanks are mounted on the boiler in pannier like fashion Pantograph An apparatus mounted on the roof of a rail vehicle to allow the collection of electric current from overhead lines 172 173 Paperwork As a reason for delays written instructions conveyed to a train s engineer in which the train must proceed slower than its normal speed These instructions are either handed to the crew or recited and read back over radio 174 Pennsy Abbreviation for the former Pennsylvania Railroad 175 Per diem pronounced by some U S railroaders per die um not per dee um A fee paid by a rail company to the owner of a car or wagon for the time it spends on the company s property 172 176 An authorized living expense payment for some workers forced away from their home terminal 172 177 Permissive signal A block signal whose most restrictive indication is stop and proceed A permissive signal is identified by the presence of a number plate affixed to the mast or supporting structure Proceeding beyond a permissive signal at stop is allowed at restricted speed if operating conditions enable a train operator to stop before reaching any train or obstruction 178 179 180 Pilot A deflective shield affixed to the front of a locomotive to protect its wheels from on track debris archaically called a cowcatcher 181 See also Pilot locomotive An employee qualified on the operating rules and physical characteristics of a certain section of the railroad assisting a crew member who is not so qualified 182 183 See also Railroad engineer Pilot engine The leading locomotive during a double heading operation 184 An unattached locomotive driven a specified distance in front of a special train 184 185 186 Pilot man Where it is necessary to temporarily work a section of line as single track for instance if the other track of a double track line is out of use a person the pilot man acts as the single track token Piston The moving component in the cylinder of a steam engine or internal combustion engine that translates into motion the force exerted by pressurised steam or quickly burning fuel 187 Piston travel A specified distance that a brake piston may move from its cylinder to the brake rigging If the travel exceeds or falls short of this distance the equipment must be set out for repair 188 Platform screen doors Infrastructure used to separate the platform from train tracks Pony truck A two wheel truck or bogie at the front of a locomotive 189 Porch The extended walkway at either end of a U S locomotive 190 Porter An employee who performs or performed the role has now largely become obsolete various physical duties chiefly but not exclusively involving lifting Various types of porter include A baggage porter assisting with luggage An operating porter assisting with safeworking duties A station porter assisting with general station duties A lad porter being a junior station porterPortion working The practice of coupling two or more passenger trains together over common sections of their respective routes but otherwise operating the trains separately 191 192 Position light signal nbsp A position light signalA block signal in which the relative position of the lights determines the meaning Positive train control PTC An American system of functional requirements for monitoring and controlling train movements with the aim of increasing operational safety Possession In Britain a period of time when one or more tracks are closed for maintenance For the duration of the work a person in charge of possession PICOP has control of the line When work is complete the possession is relinquished and control of the line handed back to the signaller 193 self published source Pound The weight and thus the cross section of a length of rail A heavier rail can carry heavier loads with less distortion and less damage to the rails themselves and the roadbed Power A locomotive or group of connected MU d locomotives serving as the motive power for a train 172 Power braking Pulling against the train brakes at the higher end of the locomotive s power output e g notches five through eight on a conventional throttle This is considered wasteful of fuel and brake shoes and is therefore discouraged by most operating departments 194 195 Prairie type nbsp The Prairie wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 6 2 wheel arrangement 69 Prime mover The internal combustion engine of a diesel locomotive Pull apart A rail broken from cold related contraction 196 197 Push pole nbsp A push poleA pole about 12 feet 366 cm long and having a diameter of 5 inches 127 mm and used in the United States between 1870 and the mid 1960s to push a freight car onto or off a siding or onto another track by being placed between a locomotive on an adjacent track and the freight car The two ends of the poles were placed in receptacles called push pole pockets 198 The practice of using a push pole for switching was called poling 199 Push pull train A configuration for locomotive hauled trains allowing them to be driven from either end of the train whether having a locomotive at each end or not See also Auto train See Top and tail for train with locomotives at both front and back 172 R editRack railway rack and pinion railway or cog railway A steep grade railway with a toothed rack rail usually between the running rails used when adhesion is insufficient Railbus A passenger rail vehicle typically non articulated or rigid frame that derived from bus propulsion and construction technology but may evolve into larger dimensions performance and characteristics similar in appearance to a light DMU railcar Railcar A powered single unit or articulated passenger car usually railroad derived light DMU or EMU with a driver s cab at one or both ends Rail crossing The opposite of a dead end rail i e a line connecting locations accessed by other railways often associated with the overcoming of natural obstacles such as mountain ranges 200 Not to be confused with a railway crossing a road see Level crossing Railfan A hobbyist or enthusiast of trains Rail grinder A machine used to remove irregularities in the surface of the rails that may be self powered or part of a consist Rail profile nbsp Rail profiles for flat bottom and bullhead railsThe cross section shape of rail There are many rail profiles often specific to individual railroads Rails must be periodically scanned electronically the data inspected and analysed then re profiled with rail grinding machines to maintain the safe and proper rail profile Rails that cannot be brought back to the proper rail profile are condemned and replaced Rail squeal A screeching train track friction sound most commonly occurring on sharp curves or heavy braking 201 Rail tractor A small petrol gas or diesel shunting switcher locomotive Railroad car Any railroad vehicle other than a locomotive Railroadiana Artifacts of railways around the world Railway line railroad line rail line or train line A railway route connecting two or more places or other railway routes 202 A railway route constructed by an organization usually one formed for that purpose 202 203 204 A railway route that has an official name notably bestowed by engineers line references in the UK 205 A set of railway routes that are bundled for publicity purposes e g a UK train operating company 206 207 Railway station nbsp Washington D C s Union Station is an example of a railway stationA train station a stopping point for trains usually with passenger access Railway terminal A building for passengers at the end of a railway line Red A colour generally associated with stop when shown by signals or flags Red zone The area between under or within a few feet of cars and locomotives To enter the zone a ground employee must obtain protection from the locomotive engineer if a locomotive is coupled or a blue signal if no locomotive is coupled 208 209 210 self published source Reefer A refrigerated railcar used to transport perishable goods 211 Refuge siding A siding used as a passing place on a main line where slow trains may be held whilst an express passes a simpler but less convenient form of the passing loop Reporting mark A two to four letter code assigned by the Association of American Railroads that is applied to equipment operating on North American railroads to identify the owner 212 213 214 Rerail frog or rerailer nbsp A rerail frog or rerailer stored on its side on a locomotive The slot is placed over the rail and the derailed wheel is pushed or pulled until it runs up the rerailer and back on to the track A metal casting incorporating a slot that allows the casting to fit over the rail near the wheel of a derailed car The locomotive then pushes or pulls the car so that the derailed wheel runs up the rerailer and back on to the track 215 Retarder A device installed in a classification yard used to reduce the speed of freight cars as they are sorted into consists 216 Reverser or reverser handle The handle that controls the directional control on a locomotive See also Cut off Ribbon rail Continuously welded rail 212 Right side failure A failure in a signalling or other safety critical system that leaves the system in a safe condition 217 self published source Roadrailer A highway trailer or semi trailer that is specially equipped for direct use on a railroad Rolling stock In UK parlance any railway vehicle that is not capable of moving under its own power 218 self published source In US parlance any railroad car or locomotive 212 219 220 Rookie See Trainee Rotary Short for rotary snowplow an extreme duty railroad snowplow used mainly in the mountain ranges of the American West 221 nbsp A roundhouse and turntable viewed from above Roundhouse nbsp Platform track and a run round loop at Toyooka Station Hyogo Japan the terminus of the line from MiyazuA circular or semi circular structure used for storage and running maintenance of locomotives Route selector panel punch box or train identification pushbuttons New York City Subway A box or panel adjacent to a rail line at an interlocking with several buttons for train operators to select a desired route which is then either communicated to a signal tower where an operator fulfills the request or switched automatically 222 223 Ruling gradient The longest or steepest grade on a division thus setting the standard for track speeds locomotive tonnage ratings and train handling instructions 224 Run The action verb for the train s movement The train runs across the track Runaway A heavy train that has lost speed control while descending a steep grade due to either brake failure or poor preparation by the crew 225 Running track An other than main track typically providing access to a yard or industry and governed by the requirements of restricted speed 226 Run round The practice of detaching a locomotive from its train driving it to the other end of the train and re attaching it to allow the train to proceed in the direction it has just come from e g when it reaches its destination and forms a service in the other direction 212 227 Run through power Locomotives that remain attached to a manifest or unit train from their home rails over the tracks of a receiving railroad until the train reaches its final destination 228 S editSaddle tank A tank locomotive with the water tank mounted on top of the boiler like a saddle 229 Safe place An area within the network of an operator where evacuation of passengers can be performed depending on current operational conditions with a minimum of risk to the passengers e g stations refuges on the line 230 page needed Safeworking In Australia the system of rules and equipment designed to ensure the safe operation of trains 231 Sandbox A container on locomotives and self propelled multiple units or trams that run on tramways and adhesion railways The container holds sand which a crew can drop onto the rail to improve rail adhesion under wet steep or slippery rail conditions The sandbox and operating mechanism are collectively known as sanding gear Sandite Consists of a mixture of sand aluminium and a unique type of adhesive used instead of plain sand for extreme slippery rail conditions Santa Fe type nbsp The Santa Fe wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 10 2 wheel arrangement named for the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway the first railroad to use such a configuration 232 233 Saturated locomotive A steam locomotive not equipped with a superheater the steam thus remains at the same temperature as the water in the boiler 234 Scale Solid debris distilled from boiling water in a steam locomotive To prevent corrosion damage from scale build up the locomotive must undergo a boiler wash once each operating month 235 Schnabel car A specialized type of freight car for extra heavy and oversized loads where the car is loaded in such a way that the load forms part of the car superstructure 236 Searchlight A signal with a single light source usually capable of displaying three different colors An internal mechanism governs the color displayed 229 Section A portion of a train that may be operated independently or combined with other sections to operate as a single unit 237 238 A portion of railway line designated for signalling or maintenance 239 240 An interior portion of a sleeping car made up of two double seats during daytime that convert to two double berths during night time 241 Semaphore signal nbsp A British lower quadrant semaphore signal with subsidiary arm belowA type of signal that has a moving arm to change the indication Shay locomotive A type of geared steam locomotive built to the patents of Ephraim Shay 229 Shunt In UK and Australian parlance to make up and divide trains in sidings to move trains to or from sidings or to move trains between platforms in a station 242 self published source Shoofly Temporary track used to avoid an obstacle that blocks movement on the normal track section Shuttle train A train usually a passenger service that runs back and forth usually over a relatively short distance such as between a junction station and a branch line terminus Side tank A tank locomotive with water tanks mounted each side of the boiler Siding A section of track off the main line Sidings are often used for storing rolling stock or freight A siding is also used as a form of rail access for warehouses and other businesses where the siding often meets up with loading docks at rail car height In the U S the term also covers the British term loop Also a passing track in the U S Signal nbsp A two head color position signal on a CSXT mainline where the left head displays Stop and the right Clear A device that indicates the condition of the line ahead to the driver of a train Signal box A building or room that houses signal levers usually in a frame a control panel or a VDU based control system Signal passed at danger The British term for the event in which a train passes a signal to stop without authorization to do so 243 Signaller or signalman A person in charge of the signalling at a station or junction often in a signal box Slippery rail The condition of fallen leaves or other debris lying on and clinging to a railroad track that could cause train wheel slippage resulting in premature wheel wear and train delays Slow order A local speed restriction below the track s normal speed limit often designated by yellow and green flags Slow orders can be imposed on a temporary basis to protect for example maintenance of way employees while sections of track are under repair Widely used in areas where track is substandard and in need of repair Slug A locomotive that contains traction motors yet lacks the diesel engine to create its own power which is instead supplied by a connected mother locomotive 229 Smokebox An enclosed normally cylindrical space attached to the end of the boiler opposite the firebox on a steam locomotive normally the front Supports the stack steam pipes to and from the cylinders pass through here contains the blastpipe where the exhaust steam is used to provide draft for the fire In superheated locomotives also contains the superheater header and optionally a front end throttle Snowplow snow plow snowplough or snow plough nbsp A Canadian National Railway prairie rail snowplowA rail service vehicle used for snow removal from train tracks 244 Snow shed A long shelter erected over a railroad track on the side of a mountain to protect the line from avalanches and drifting 245 self published source Span bolster The beam between two bogies Spike nbsp Two unused and one heavily corroded spikes with an inch ruler shown for scaleA bolt pin or nail used to hold rails or plates connected to the rails known as tie plates to sleepers ties Spiral easement See Track transition curve Also known as tangent lead in 229 Spreader nbsp A Jordan spreaderMaintenance of way equipment designed to spread or shape ballast profiles remove snow clean and dig ditches as well as trim embankments Spur line A very short branch line may be called a spur line Self propelled ultrasonic rail testing SPURT India A self propelled rail defect detector car 246 Staff and ticket The Australian term for a method of safeworking involving a token when defined as 229 Standard gauge A gauge where the rails are spaced 1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in apart by far the most common gauge worldwide 229 Station master The person in charge of a station Steam generator A device generally used in passenger trains to create steam for heating The steam generator is usually in the locomotive but may also be located in other cars 229 Steam reverser A reversing gear worked by a steam cylinder controlled from the cab Stop signal overrun The American term for the event in which a train passes a signal to stop without authorization to do so Subdivision In North America the trackage area within a division covered by a single timetable 247 Supercharger A mechanical device that boosts the pressure of engine intake air to above atmospheric level causing an increase in power Not to be confused with the blower used to scavenge the cylinders of a naturally aspirated two stroke Diesel engine Superelevation Areas on curves where the outside rail is elevated higher than the inside rail creating a banked curve generally allowing higher speeds and more comfort for passengers on passenger trains Superheater A device in a steam locomotive that raises the temperature of saturated steam substantially beyond the boiling point of water increasing power and efficiency 229 Survey To determine the position of constructed objects including rail infrastructure in relation to the earth s surface This is accomplished by measuring angles and distances based on the principles of triangulation Surveyor A person assigned to perform survey work Switchback or zig zag A method of climbing and descending steep gradients where shallow gradient track reverses direction for a while and then reverses again to continue in the original direction Switchman A railroad worker responsible for assembling trains and switching railroad cars in a yardT editTamping machine nbsp A track tamping machineGenerally a locomotive used in track maintenance and equipped with track lifting facilities and paddles that push ballast beneath a rail track to assure its level and cant Tank car A type of rolling stock designed to transport liquid and gaseous commodities Tank locomotive or Tank engine A steam locomotive that carries its water in one or more on board water tanks rather than in a separate tender Team track In North America A spur or siding for loading freight often used by firms not having their own direct rail access 248 Tender A specialized rail car attached to a steam locomotive to carry its fuel and water supplies sometimes along with tools and flagging equipment Terminal railroad or terminal railway A company in the United States that owns no cars of its own and transports only the railroad cars of other companies around a specific terminal station 249 Texas type nbsp The Texas wheel arrangementA steam locomotive with a 2 10 4 wheel arrangement citation needed Third rail An electrified rail that runs along the tracks giving power to trains Used mostly in subways and rapid transit systems 248 Through coach A passenger coach that is disconnected from one train and attached to another before continuing on with its journey thus avoiding the need for passengers themselves to switch trains 250 Through platform The standard platform and track arrangement at a station The train pulls alongside the platform arriving from one end of the station and may pass out the other end of the station by continuing along the same track 251 self published source Tie plate A plate bolted to sleepers to hold the rails in place Trailer on flat car TOFC Intermodal freight transport 248 Token A physical object given to a locomotive driver to authorize use of a particular stretch of single track Track bed or trackbed The foundation of rail tracks Track bulletin In North America a form used by railroad employees that shows the locations of slow orders maintenance of way work locations and other conditions affecting the track and movement of trains citation needed Track circuit An electrical circuit that detects the presence of locomotives or cars as their wheelsets electrically bond the rails in a block of track and provides real time input to signaling logic Track transition curve The gradual application of superelevation and tighter curve radius calculated with reference to the anticipated line speed and the final curve radius on the approach to a bend Also known as the transition spiral and spiral easement Track Warrant Control Control of train movements by track warrants which are sets of instructions issued to a train crew authorizing specific train movements Trackside objects See Wayobjects Traction current pylon Traction motor A large electric motor that powers the driving wheels of an electric or diesel electric locomotive 248 Tractive effort The pulling or pushing force exerted by a locomotive or other vehicle Trailing A turnout where both legs merge in the direction of travel the opposite of facing Train bell In North American practice the warning bell on a locomotive or any autonomous railway vehicle Train coupler The mechanical interface that links vehicles so a driver can operate them together The coupler can be a purely mechanical device such as a screw coupler or bar coupler Alternatively the coupler can also incorporate electrical or pneumatic connections 252 Train horn The warning horn in a locomotive or in a control car Trainman In North America an employee assigned to train service such as a conductor brakeman or switchman Train inauguration The automated process of train bus configuration that includes detecting all bus nodes and their orientation assigning the numbers to particular bus nodes and collecting their properties 253 page needed Train operation and management In Europe the procedures and related equipment enabling a coherent operation of the different structural subsystem both during normal and degraded operation including in particular train driving traffic planning and management 254 page needed Trainmaster terminal manager or road manager In North America an employee who supervises operations over a given territory 255 Train order The process whereby signallers or dispatchers can change the order or timing of trains to maximise overall train service performance in real time citation needed Train set A toy train with its tracks buildings etc 256 Trainset A group of rolling stock that is permanently or semi permanently coupled together to form a unified set of equipment Trainsets are most often used in passenger train configurations citation needed Tram A city based rail system that typically shares its operational space with other vehicles and often runs on across or down the center of city streets Tram train Trams that are designed to run both on the tracks of a city based rail system and on the existing railway networks Tram trains dual voltage capability makes it possible to operate at lower speeds on city streets and at over 60 miles per hour 97 km h on main line tracks allowing travel in an extended geographical area without changing the method of transport Treadle nbsp A turntable in Toronto Canada A mechanical or electrical device for detecting the presence of a rail vehicle with pin point accuracy unlike a track circuit which provides detection over an arbitrary distances Turnout or points A switch citation needed Turntable A section of track that rotates to let locomotives and rolling stock turn around or access several engine maintenance sidings in a small areaU editUnit train A train in which all cars wagons carry the same commodity and are shipped from the same origin to the same destination without being split up or stored en route 257 Underbridge In the parlance of rail transport in the United Kingdom an underbridge is a bridge that allows a roadway to cross under the course of a railway line in contrast to an overbridge or overpass that crosses over the railway V editVactrain A proposed design for very high speed rail transportation Vacuum brake A continuous train brake that is fail safe in operation It is powered by a vacuum from the locomotive but the application is actually by atmospheric pressure when the vacuum is released Primarily used historically in Britain and in countries influenced by British practice Now largely superseded by the air brake Valve gear The linkage mechanism that operates the valve for a driving cylinder to alternately admit steam to the cylinder and then exhaust it when the piston s stroke is nearly complete 258 W editWagon Top Boiler Also see Extended Wagon Top Boiler A boiler having the steam dome over the firebox and a sloping course from in front of the firebox to the cylindrical shell Waist of Boiler Also see Waist Sheet That part of the boiler shell immediately in front of the firebox Waist Brace Also see Expansion Knee A vertical steel plate riveted to the waist sheet crosstie and to an angle piece which is also fastened to the waist of a boiler to secure that part to the frame and at the same time allow a small amount of expansion and contraction Waist Brace Angle A steel strip riveted to the shell of a boiler and having its edge bent to a right angle and to which a plate or strut is fastened for the purpose of bracing the waist of a boiler to the frames Waist Sheet The plate forming that portion of a boiler directly ahead of the outside firebox sheet It is sometimes made cylindrical in shape and sometimes tapering or conical Waist Sheet Crosstie A transverse brace or casting binding the frames together in front of the firebox and usually having a plate fastened to it and to the boiler to support the waist of the boiler at this point Waist Sheet Wearing Plate A steel strip riveted to the waist sheet of a boiler and to the angle of the waist sheet brace or expansion plate to reinforce the bearing or support of the boiler at this point Walschaerts Valve Gear Also see Valve Gear A valve gear socalled from its inventor largely in use in Europe and being rapidly introduced in the United States It has no eccentric and is entirely outside of the frames Washer A plate of metal or other material usually annular which is placed under a nut or bolt head to give it a better bearing Two or more washers are sometimes combined and called washer plates strap washers double or twin washers triple washers etc They are sometimes made beveled or triangular for a rod or bolt which is oblique with reference to the bearing surface A socket washer or Hush washer is one provided with a recess for the bolt head so as to leave it Hush with the adjoining parts Cut or wrought washers are those stamped out of rolled iron plates Cast washers are made from cast iron Both kinds are used Wash out Plug A short solid metal cylinder with a screw thread cut on the outside and a square or hexagonal head for convenience in applying a wrench screwed into the water leg and above the crown sheet of a locomotive boiler Wash out plugs are usually located near the bottom of a water leg a little above the mud ring or above the crown sheet and from four to eight are provided in order to allow mud to be thoroughly washed out Waste The spoiled bobbins of cotton or woolen mills used for wiping machinery and for Journal Packing which sec Waste Cock or Waste Valve An arrangement attached to and forming part of the body of an injector consisting of a valve provided with a handle or lever If this valve is left open when the steam and water supply valves to the injector are also open steam passes back through the injector feetf pipe and may thus be used to prevent the water in the tender tank from freezing Water A liquid composed of two gases hydrogen and oxygen in the proportion of 8 to 1 by weight colorless and transparent in the pure state It is never obtained pure for locomotive use always holding in solution a quantity of solid matter such as sulphates and carbonates of lime and magnesia that may form objectionable quantities of scale in a boiler See Steam Boilers fed with water that forms much scale must be washed out at frequent intervals in some districts even at the completion of every trip The best practice at present is to install water treating plants at water stations by means of which the scale forming matters in the water are chemically treated and removed before the water reaches the locomotives Water Brake An arrangement consisting of a set of pipes and valves connected to a locomotive boiler below the water line for admitting water to the cylinders to retard the motion of the pistons and thus act as a brake on the locomotive which is run with the reverse lever back of the center It is used on lines having long steep grades Water Brake Valve A globe valve with its connecting pipe screwed in the boiler back head below the water line for operating the water brake Water Cooler A tank or vessel for carrying drinking water which is usually cooled with ice The sides are generally made double and the space between Tilled with some non conducting substance When used on locomotives they are commonly located on the tender tank Water column railroad Also Standpipe A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive Water gauge or water glass nbsp A water gaugeA device to enable an engineman or fireman to observe the height of water in a locomotive boiler It consists of two brass fittings screwed into the back head one above the other and connected by a stout glass tube which communicates through the fittings with the water and steam in the boiler The water level showing in the glass tube must be the same as that inside the boiler Water Gage Casing A covering or protector around a water gage glass The casing prevents the glass from flying about in case of breakage Water Gage Cock One of two brass fittings screwed into a locomotive boiler head having a valve or plug cock for opening or closing communication between the boiler and the water gage glass The end of the glass tube rests in an opening in the gage cock and is held in place by a coupling nut which is screwed down on an elastic washer surrounding the tube Water Gage Cock Extension A piece of pipe leading from an opening in a boiler to one of the water gage cocks Water Gage Cock Gland A neck or extension formed on a water gage cock to receive the end of the glass tube or the stem of the cock or plug Water Gage Nut A hexagonal brass nut surrounding a water gage glass near the end and holding an elastic washer so as to prevent leakage of water or steam around it Water Grate See Grate and Water Pull Bar Grate Water Leg The space between the inner and outer sheets of a firebox At the bottom where the two sheets are riveted to the mud ring the width of the water leg is from three to five inches increasing more or less rapidly according to the design and size of the firebox Water Pull Bar Grate Also see Grate A grate designed for burning anthracite coal consisting of tubes running longitudinally through the bottom of the firebox and communicating with the front and back water legs usually screwed into the tube sheet and expanded into the back sheet a copper ferrule being used to insure a tight joint Between the water tubes iron pull bars enclosed in short tubes pass completely through the back water leg and project a snort distance outside the back head These outer ends have slots in them into which a rod can be put and the bars pulled out for the purpose of dumping or cleaning the fire Midway of the length of tfye firebox is a bearer or bridge that supports both the tubes and bars that form the grate A similar bearer is placed at the front end of the box to hold the bars Water Scoop A device for putting water in a locomotive tender while it is in motion from a trough laid between the rails and sometimes called a track tank It consists of a cast iron or steel plate conduit of rectangular cross section about 8 x 12 inhes passing up through the tender tank and turned over at the top so as to discharge the water downward The lower end underneath the tender frame is fitted with a scoop or dipper that can be lowered into the trough by a lever worked by hand or by compressed air applied in a cylinder whose piston rod is connected to the mechanism for raising and lowering the scoop Owing to its inertia the water is forced up through the siphon pipe into the tender tank when the scoop moves through the trough at a speed of from 25 to 40 miles per hour Water Scoop Air Cylinder A small cast iron cylinder fastened underneath a tender for operating the water scoop Compressed air is conveyed to it from the main air reservoir through a valve thus moving the piston The piston rod is connected to the levers that lower the dipper into the water trough between the rails To insure the rapid raising of the dipper when the locomotive reaches the end of the track tank a coil spring is fastened to the scoop mechanism Water Scoop Air Cylinder Piston A metal disk fitted inside a water scoop air cylinder and having attached to it a rod connected to the operating mechanism of the scoop Water Scoop Arm A bent lever or bell crank to one end of which the air cylinder piston rod is attached while to the other the links for raising and lowering the dipper are bolted Water Scoop Body That portion of a water scoop shaped like the frustum of a pyramid that is lowered into the track trough and to the lower end of which the dipper or nozzle is attached It is usually made of cast iron Water Scoop Cylinder Connecting Rod A short rod attached to the end of the piston rod of a water scoop cylinder and with a coil spring attached to the end This spring raises the scoop out of the water when the end of the track tank is reached and holds it in that position Water Scoop Cylinder Piston Rod A wrought iron or cast steel rod attached to the piston of the air cylinder at one end and to the bell crank for operating the water scoop at the other Water Scoop Cylinder Support A metal carrier secured underneath a tender frame for the purpose of holding the water scoop air cylinder which is bolted to it Water Scoop Delivery Pipe The square pipe which joins the scoop with the siphon pipe in the tender tank Water Scoop Delivery Pipe Brace A rod secured to the tender frame center sills to stiffen the delivery pipe Water Scoop Delivery Pipe Bracket A cast iron support riveted on to the end of the delivery pipe and having a hole or bearing in its outer end for one of the trunnions of the water scoop Water Scoop Dipper A hinged extension or hood at the end of a water scoop That portion of the scoop that goes into the water Water Scoop Dipper Adjusting Bracket A support or holder fastened underneath a tender to limit the movement of the dipper arm and thus prevent the scoop from hanging too low and striking the ties or ballast Water Scoop Dipper Lifting Link A short metal bar attached to the bell crank or arm of the scoop lifting mechanism and to the dipper for raising it out of the water Water Scoop End Support A metal rod fastened to either side of the outer end of a water scoop next to the dipper a nd to the under side of the tender frame Water Scoop Hanger The bracket or frame fastened underneath a tender frame to support a water scoop and the mechanism for raising and lowering it Water Scoop Lifter One of two links or bars attached to a water scoop at one end and to the water scoop arm at the other Water Scoop Locking Cylinder A small air cylinder whose function is to hold the water scoop in place and prevent it from dropping down on the track Water Scoop Neck The upper end of a water scoop that portion that joins the water scoop pipe directly under the tender tank Water Scoop Operating Lever The arm or lever by which the water scoop is raised or lowered by hand It extends up through the tender deck alongside the tank leg Water Scoop Operating Lever Connecting Rod A long piece of pipe or solid rod attached to the water scoop operating lever at one end and the scoop lifting arm at the other Water Scoop Operating Lever Fulcrum A cast iron support fastened on a tender frame and holding a bolt or pin that passes through the water scoop operating lever Water Scoop Pipe The cast iron or steel plate conduit passing up through a tender for conveying the water forced into the scoop to the top of the tank Water Scoop Pneumatic Valve The valve for admitting compressed air to a water scoop cylinder Water Scoop Rod The rod connecting the water scoop lever with the arm or bell crank Water Scoop Shaft A pivot fastened at right angles to a water scoop arm and resting in bearings in supports or hangers attached to the tender frame by bolts or rivets Water Scoop Shaft Bracket A carrier attached to a tender frame and holding the ends of the water scoop shaft Water Scoop Side Brace A rod fastened on either side of a water scoop and to the side sill of a tender to give transverse stiffness to the scoop Water Scoop Spring The spring used to assist in lowering or raising a water scoop Water Scoop Spring Rod A shaft attached to a water scoop operating mechanism and to the coil spring which forms a part of it Water Space That part of a locomotive boiler that is filled with water in contrast with the part normally occupied by steam A Water Leg which see is also called a water space Water Table A device for improving the combustion of fuel in a locomotive firebox The form invented by William Buchanan of the N Y C amp H R R R consists of two flat parallel plates extending diagonally upward from the tube sheet to the back sheet of the firebox These plates are about 4 Ms inches apart are strengthened with staybolts in the same manner as are the inner and outer firebox sheets and form an inclined water leg connecting the front and back legs of the firebox A hole 18 or 20 inches in diameter is made through the center of the water table for the passage of the products of combustion to the upper part of the firebox on their way to the tubes Not extensively used Water Tube A pipe containing water and surrounded with hot gases in contrast to a lire tube surrounded by water and having hot gases passing through it See below Water Tube Boiler A boiler in which water circulates through tubes surrounded by hot gases the products of combustion in the firebox Not extensively used for locomotives although tried on the London amp South Western Watt An electrical unit expressing the rate at which energy is transformed or work done It is used to express the product of the voltage of an electric circuit and the current or amperage As it is a very small unit a multiple of it 1 000 times as large and called a kilowatt is commonly used One kilowatt is about 1 34 horsepower Way car An alternate term for a caboose used by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Chicago and North Western Railway and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway 259 Wayobjects or wayside objects Trackside objects or any structures at the wayside or beside the rail tracks usually within the right of way such as railway signals third rails overhead lines and their supports traction current pylons utility poles electrification systems platforms or boom barriers at level crossings Wedge 1 A term in quite general use for a Journal Bearing Key which see 2 A Pedestal Wedge which see is a tapering liner for the jaws of a pedestal to adjust the position of the driving box and take up wear Wedge Bolt A bolt passing through the pedestal cap of a driving or trailing wheel for adjusting the pedestal wedge Weigh Shaft British See Reverse Shaft Weigh Shaft Balance Weight British A large mass of cast iron used on British locomotives in place of a reverse shaft spring Weigh Shaft Lever British See Reverse Shaft Arm Well tank A type of tank locomotive The water tank is mounted between the frame plates beneath the cab and boiler Well wagon UIC A flat wagon with a depressed centre used for carrying extra tall loads Wheel The rolling component typically pressed onto an axle and mounted on a rail car or locomotive truck or bogie Wheels are cast or forged wrought and are heat treated to have a specific hardness New wheels are trued to a specific profile before being pressed onto an axle All wheel profiles must be periodically monitored to insure proper wheel to rail interface Improperly trued wheels increase rolling resistance reduce energy efficiency and may create unsafe operation A railroad wheel typically consists of two main parts the wheel itself and the tire around the outside A railway tire is itself steel and is typically heated and pressed onto the wheel where it remains firmly as it shrinks and cools Wheel climb Also Adhesion railway The process of a wheel climbing up and often off the inside or gauge side of the rail It is a major source of derailments Wheel climb is more likely to occur in curves with wheels whose flanges are worn or have improper angles citation needed Wheel flange Also Adhesion railway The inner section of a wheel that rides between the two rails The angle between the wheel tread and flange is often specific to the rail to prevent wheel climb and possible derailments The wheel flange is part of the wheel tire citation needed Wheel rail interface The on contact interaction between wheels and rails The term is used in connection with the design and management of their interaction Wheel slip The loss of traction due to a slippery rail or wheel Wheel slip was common with steam engines as they started to move due to the excessive torque often generated at low speed Steam engines carried sand dispensing gear to increase traction at the start of motion 259 Wheeltapper nbsp A wheeltapper at work on the Bulgarian railwayAn historical railway occupation people employed to tap train wheels with hammers and listen to the sound made to determine the integrity of the wheel cracked wheels like cracked bells do not sound the same as their intact counterparts The job was associated with the steam age but they still operate in some eastern European countries Modern planned maintenance procedures have mostly obviated the need for the wheel tapper Wheel tread Also Adhesion railway The slightly conical section often with a 1 in 20 slope of a railroad wheel that is the primary contact point with the rail citation needed Westinghouse Air Brake A system of continuous brakes invented and patented the first patent in 1869 by Mr George Westinghouse which is operated by compressed air The air is compressed by a steam air pump on the locomotive or an electric motor compressor on the car and is stored up in a tank called the main reservoir on the engine or tender By the original form of brake the compressed air was conveyed from the tank by pipes connected together between the cars by flexible brake hose to brake cylinders under each car by means of which the pressure of the air was communicated to the brake levers and thence to the brake shoes A later and improved form is the Westinghouse automatic air brake commonly called simply Westinghouse brake which is now in universal use At the present time the Westinghouse brake unless otherwise specified is always understood to mean the automatic air brake The change made from the original form of the Westinghouse air brake in order to make it automatic was to carry a full pressure of air at all times in the brake pipes and cause the brakes to be applied by a reduction of this pressure instead of by the admission of pressure so that the breaking apart of the train or a reduction of pressure by escape of air at any point on the brake pipe would apply the brakes to the whole train at once A further advantage was that the action of the brakes was made quicker by saving the appreciable interval of time required for the compressed air to flow from a single reservoir at one end of the train in sufficient quantities to fill all the brake cylinders An auxiliary reservoir is placed under each car containing air at the same pressure as in the brake pipes An ingenious valve called the triple valve connects the brake pipe auxiliary reservoir and brake cylinder together in such manner that any reduction of pressure in the brake pipe opens a passage for the air from the auxiliary reservoir to the brake cylinder applying the brakes and closes the connection between brake pipe and reservoir To release the brakes the pressure in the brake pipes is restored when the triple valve closes the connection between the auxiliary reservoir and brake cylinder and opens one between the brake cylinder and the outer air and between the auxiliary reservoir and the brake pipe In order that the train brakes may be applied from any car each car is fitted with a valve called the conductor s valve connected to the brake pipe so that the compressed air therein can be permitted to escape by opening the valve Westinghouse E T Locomotive Brake Equipment Air Brake A new arrangement of air brake apparatus as applied to a locomotive It differs from previous locomotive brake schedules principally in that the details are centralized and simplified so as to reduce the total number required occupy less space and give the engineman a mere certain and flexible control of the locomotive brakes It has all the good features of any of the older equipment besides a number of new ones viz uniform brake cylinder pressure on engine and tender and a pressure maintaining feature by which the brake cylinder pressure is automatically held to that resulting from the brake application as long as such application lasts See Distributing Valve Westinghouse Friction Draft Gear A form of draft gear in which the forces are absorbed and dissipated by friction The friction device is encased in a malleable iron cylinder open at the front end The front follower bears against a preliminary spring the other end of which bears against the center wedge of the shape of the frustum of an octagonal pyramid Surrounding the wedge are four pairs of segmental carriers having one rib each which lies in a groove in the cylinder The other grooves in the cylinder are filled by friction strips resting on the carriers These strips are of wrought iron and have lugs formed on them which engage in corresponding cavities in the carriers so that the friction strips must move with the carriers The function of the preliminary spring is to absorb the light shocks without bringing into action the friction parts The main release spring placed back of the carriers forces the carriers to their normal position when the pressure is removed and also adds to the capacity of the device When the follower plates are moved toward each other the preliminary spring is compressed until its capacity of 20 000 pounds is exceeded when the follower bears against the release pin and forces it forward relieving the wedge from the pressure of the auxiliary release spring thereby allowing the compression of the preliminary and auxiliary preliminary springs to force the wedge forward and press the segmental carriers and friction strips firmly into the cylinder grooves The follower then strikes and forces the segmental carriers in producing friction between the friction strips and the grooves The complete movement gives a resistance of 100 000 pounds In releasing the preliminary spring is gradually restored and the auxiliary release spring then forces the wedge out while the release spring returns the friction strips and carriers giving a complete release Owing to the varying width of the slots and lugs on the friction strips and carriers the strips are released four at a time through successive small distances The operations of buffing and pulling are exactly the same except that the load comes on the front or rear follower first as the case may be See Draft Gear Westinghouse SWA SWB Locomotive Brake Equipment See Combined Automatic and Straight Air Locomotive Brake Westinghouse Traction Brake The adaptation of the Westinghouse air brake equipments to electrically propelled cars or trains The changed conditions of motive power and method of operating such cars or trains have necessitated various changes in the details of the equipments while the general principles of the Westinghouse straight air and automatic brakes which are the foundation of all known air brake equipments remains the same A motor driven air compressor furnishes the compressed air an electric pump governor controls the operation of the same the brake and triple valves are of different design to accord with the conditions for which they are required Otherwise the description of the Westinghouse Air Brake which see covers the traction brake also Westinghouse Train Air Signal Apparatus Also see Train Air Signal Apparatus A device for utilizing the supply of compressed air required for operating the Westinghouse brakes to transmit signals to the engine or motorman s cab instead of using the ordinary bell cord Westinghouse Unit Switch System of Control Also see Control System A system of control for railway and other motors by means of low potential train line circuits taken from a storage battery under the car which operate electro magnets controlling pneumatic valves and cylinders operating the main controller circuits under each car by air taken from the brake pipe The main controller under each car consists of a group of electro pneumatic switches which give the desired combinations to the motor circuits A reverse switch and auxiliary resistance are essential parts of the apparatus under each car The apparatus is applicable for cither direct current or alternating current motors Also called Westinghouse electro pneumatic system of control Wheel 1 A circular frame or solid piece of wood or metal which revolves on an axis A circular frame or disk revolving on an axle serving to support a moving vehicle Engine truck wheels are sometimes made of chilled cast iron but more commonly have a cast iron or cast steel center with a steel tire fastened on as are also tender truck wheels See Wheel Center Driving wheels and trailing wheels are always made with a spoke center of cast iron or cast steel with a steel tire shrunk on In addition to shrinkage driving wheel tires are held on by bolts through the rim and by retaining rings also held by bolts content Wheels Specification for Cast Iron A R M M Recommended Practice At the convention of 1888 the following specifications and tests for castiron wheels were adopted as standard In 1801 these were changed to Recommendations The specifications and tests are as follows 1 The cliills in which the wheels of any one wheelmakcr are cast shall be of equal diameters and the same chill must not vary at different points more than one sixteenth of an inch in diameter 2 There shall not be a variation of more than one half inch in the circumference of any given number of wheels of the same nominal diameter furnished by any one maker and the same wheel must not vary more than one sixteenth of an inch in diameter The body of the wheel must be smooth and free from slag or blow holes The tread must be free from deep and irregular wrinkles slag chill cracks and sweat or beads in the throat which are one eighth of an inch or over in diameter or which occur in clusters of more than six inches in length 3 The wheels broken must show clean gray iron in the plates the depth of pure white iron must not exceed seven eighths of an inch or be less than three eighths of an inch in the middle of the tread and shall not be less than three sixteenths of an inch in the throat The depth of the white iron shall not vary more than one fourth of an inch around the tread on the rail line in the same wheel 4 Wheels shall not vary from the specified weight more than two per cent 5 The flange shall not vary in the same wheel more than three thirty seconds of an inch from its mean thickness 6 The single plate part of a 33 inch wheel known as the Washburn pattern shall not be less than five eighths of an inch in thickness in a wheel weighing from 550 to 575 pounds and not less than three fourths of an inch in thickness in a wheel weighing from 575 to 600 pounds Wheel Base The horizontal distance between centers c f the first and last axles of a locomotive or tender It is usual in stating locomotive dimensions to give the rigid wheel base the truck wheel base and the total wheel base Wheel Bore The hole through the hub or central part of a wheel in which an axle is fitted Also called axle seat Wheel Boss British American term hub The center of the wheel which is bored out to receive the axle Wheel Center The portion of a wheel inside of the tire and between it and the hub or boss The centers of engine and tender truck wheels are sometimes in one piece and sometimes made up of two parts the hub or boss and the central filling piece Face plates front and back are also used The term is seldom applied to chilled cast or rolled steel wheels Driving and trailing wheel centers are made of cast iron or cast steel In Great Kritain wheel centers are frequently made of wrought iron Wheel Cover A strip of thin steel plate curved to a radius slightly greater than that of a wheel to prevent mud and oil being spattered over the locomotive Wheel covers are usually bolted to the engine truck frame for the truck wheels and the under side of the running board for the driving wheels British splasher Wheel Cover Block A small piece of metal fastened to a running board or engine truck frame for the attachment of a wheel cover Wheel Cover Bracket A small cast iron post or holder for the attachment of a wheel cover Wheel Cover Edge A heading or molding formed on the outer edge of a wheel cover Wheel Fit That part of a driving or truck wheel that is forced on an axle or crank pin Wheel Flange The projecting edge or rim on the periphery of a car wheel for keeping it on the rail Wheel Hub Also see Hub The center of a wheel surrounding the axle on which it is mounted British boss Wheel Hub Liner A brass or bronze disk secured to the inside hub of a wheel to form a wearing surface between the hub and the outside face of the box Such liners are used on engine truck wheels driving and trailing wheels Wheel Key A piece of steel slightly tapered driven into a slot or keyway cut longitudinally in the wheel seat of a driving axle and a corresponding slot in the bore through a driving wheel hub to key or secure the wheel to the axle Wheel Plates That part of a cast iron engine truck or tender truck wheel which connects the rim and the hub It occupies the place and fulfils the same purpose as the spokes in an open or spoke wheel On steel tired wheels the plates connecting the tire and hub and bolted or fastened to each are called wheel plates Distinguished as front and back face plates Wheel Press Hydraulic A hydraulic press for forcing locomotive driving wheels on and off their axles They are fitted with a pressure gage which is usually graduated for total tons pressure and for pounds per square inch on the rams They are made with capacities up to 400 tons pressure Wheel Ribs Cast Iron Wheels More commonly brackets Projections cast usually on the inner side of plate car wheels to strengthen them They are placed in a radial position and are often curved so as to permit the wheel to contract when it cools Wheel Rim Filling Piece A flat steel strip inserted in one of the radial spaces left to allow for shrinkage in casting in the rim of a driving wheel center Wheel Seat That portion of an axle that is forced into a driving wheel or truck wheel Wheel Tread The exterior cylindrical surface of a wheel which bears on the rails The usual width of wheel tread is about 4 inches measured from outside of wheel tread to the throat or inside of flange The standard width from outside of wheel tread to inside face of flange i e including the entire thickness of flange is 5 inches For driving wheels the width varies from to 7 inches Wheel Web That portion of a cast iron truck wheel center between the huh and the rim Whistle Train whistles are used as a safety warning and also by the engineer to communicate to other railroad workers See train whistle for a description of the whistle code used to communicate Also a nickname for an air horn on a diesel locomotive Steam engine whistles were historically known as chimes in the US during the 19th century Whistle Bell A cylindrical brass chamber with flat or hemispherical top for producing a sound by steam blown against the edge It is screwed on a stem directly over the whistle bowl Whistle Bowl A hemispherical brass cup with a cylindrical extension below it containing a valve for admitting steam The bowl has a disk over it that docs not come quite to the edge thus leaving an annular opening through which the steam escapes and in the center of which the steam passing up through the bell is secured Whistle Crank A short metal arm attached to the whistle lever in the cab for imparting motion to the lever or bar that opens the whistle valve Whistle Crank Fulcrum A cast iron bracket fastened in the cab of a locomotive to form a bearing for the whistle shaft Whistle Extension The cylindrical pipe below the bowl of a whistle containing the whistle valve Whistle Lever An arm or bar in the cab of a locomotive for operating the whistle valve It is attached to a crank that moves the lever on the whistle through the medium of a link or bar Whistle Lever Fulcrum A small bracket attached to a whistle extension to hold the pin on which the whistle lever is pivoted Whistle Lever Rod A link or bar connecting the whistle lever on the whistle with the operating lever in the cab Whistle Nut A square or hexagonal brass nut screwed on the upper end of a whistle stem to secure the whistle bell in place and usually surmounted by an acorn shaped top called the whistle ornament Whistle post Also see Whistle Stem nbsp A double whistle postAn advance warning to the engineer of an upcoming grade crossing It is the point at which the engineer should begin sounding the whistle or horn Whistle Reservoir Train Air Signal A small steel reservoir sometimes installed for storing air to be used by an air whistle on electric locomotives Whistle Shaft A short metal rod in the cab supported by a hanger or fulcrum at each end and having the whistle lever and whistle crank attached to it Whistle Stem A steel or malleable iron standard screwed in the center of a whistle bowl and supporting the whistle bell The bell has a hole through the top tapped with a thread to fit that cut on the upper end of the whistle stem which allows the height of the bell above the bowl to be adjusted Whistle Valve A disk with a shank or stem attached fitting in an opening in the whistle extension for admitting steam to the whistle to cause it to sound It is operated by a set of levers in the cab Whyte notation A system of describing steam locomotive wheel arrangements e g 4 6 4 2 10 2 The first number indicates the number of pilot wheels that help lead the engine into turns The second is the number of coupled wheels drivers Third are the trailing idler wheels usually to provide support to larger fireboxes Articulated locomotives are similarly described For example a Union Pacific Big Boy would be described as a 4 8 8 4 wherein the pilot has four wheels followed by two sets of drivers eight wheels per set and a four wheel trailing bogie under the firebox The numbers include the wheels on both sides of the engine so a 2 8 2 engine would have one idler four drivers and a final idler on each side of the engine Wide Firebox Boiler A boiler with a wide shallow firebox resting on the frames and extending out beyond them at the sides The Wootten Firebox which see is a wide firebox for burning anthracite coal Wigwag A largely superseded Level or grade crossing warning signal that consists of a swinging disc facing road traffic with a red light in the centre The disc normally hangs straight down but an approaching train sets it swinging from side to side the red light illuminates or flashes and a bell rings Window An opening in the wall of a building or cab for the admission of light and of air when necessary This opening has a frame on the sides in winch are set movable sashes containing panes of glass Webster Hence the window itself especially in compound words is often termed simply the sash 260 Window Glass Panes of glass used for windows They are either plate or rolled glass made by pouring the molten glass onto a table having the height of the desired thickness of the plate and then passing a roller over the top or blown or common window glass the latter being by far the cheapest and most widely used but of very much inferior quality It is made by blowing the glass into a largo bulb which is then slit open while still hot and flattened out 261 Window Sill A horizontal piece of wood or metal under a window on which the cab sashes rest when down 261 Working water foaming or priming The condition of a steam locomotive drawing water through its throttle valve cylinders and smokestack often causing damage to the cylinders or running gear citation needed Wootten Firebox A locomotive firebox very wide and shallow and having a curved crown sheet of large radius used for anthracite coal burning locomotives which require a large grate area 261 Worn Flat Car Wheels Irregular wear under fair usage due to unequal hardness of the tread of the wheel and to be carefully distinguished from slid flat which is a defect produced by the slipping of the wheels from excessive brake pressure 261 Wrecking Chain A heavy steel chain carried on a locomotive for use in emergencies 261 Wrecking Frog See Rerail frog or rerailer Wrench 1 A contrivance for screwing and unscrewing a nut 261 2 A socket wrench is one having a cavity to receive a square or hexagonal end The wrenches for the Westinghouse brake are packing nut and cap screw wrenches and the discharge valve seat wrench 3 A spanner is a wrench for use on round or many sided nuts like hose couplings to which lugs or slots are added for engaging with the wrench 4 An alligator wrench for use on pipe or other cylindrical surfaces has immovable jaws one serrated and the other smooth inclined to each other at an acute angle 5 A monkey wrench has smooth parallel jaws one of which is fastened to the handle or stem while the other can be moved up to or away from it by a sleeve nut working on a thread cut on the stem Wrist Pin Sec Crosshead Wrist Pin 261 Wrong side failure A failure in a signaling system that leaves the system in a dangerous condition citation needed Wrought Iron Wheel A steel tired wheel with a wrought iron center either with spokes or with solid plates 261 Wye rail A wye like the Y glyph or triangular junction is a triangular joining arrangement of three rail lines with a railroad switch set of points at each corner connecting to each incoming line citation needed Y edit nbsp Railroad yard in Chicago Illinois as seen in December 1942YardAn arrangement of tracks where rolling stock is switched to and from trains freight is loaded or unloaded and consists made up 262 31 Yellow A color associated with a warning or a need to slow down when used by flags or signals but the exact meaning varies from railway to railway Yoke Also Coupler Yoke Bell Yoke Guide Yoke Valve Yoke A bar or bent piece connection two pieces of the same kind 261 Yoke Knee See Guide Yoke Knee 261 Yoke Sheet See Guide Yoke Sheet 261 Z editZig zag or switchback nbsp The Lithgow Zig ZagA method of climbing and descending steep gradients where shallow gradient track reverses direction for a while and then reverses again to continue in the original direction See also edit nbsp Trains portal nbsp Transport portalGlossary of Australian railway terms Glossary of New Zealand railway terms Glossary of North American railway terms 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978 1 930056 93 0 3 16 Insulated Rail Joints Railway Track Engineering fourth ed New Delhi India Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Ltd 2010 first edition published 2000 p 86 ISBN 978 0 07 068012 8 Koester Tony 2004 Realistic Model Railroad Design Waukesha Wisconsin Kalmbach Publishing p 73 ISBN 0 89024 581 9 Hartong Mark Goel Rajni Wijesekera Duminda 23 March 2009 14 Secure Cross Domain Train Scheduling Critical Infrastructure Protection III Third IFIP WG 11 10 International Conference Hanover New Hampshire Springer Science amp Business Media pp 199 211 ISBN 9783642047978 ERA Glossary of Railway Terms PDF ERA Europa eu February 2009 Retrieved 30 March 2017 IEC 62290 1 2014 Railway applications Urban guided transport management and command control systems Part 1 System principles and fundamental concepts Geneva IEC Publications 2014 Fun Facts Union Pacific Railroad Retrieved 5 March 2007 a b Railroading Glossary J TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 13 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patent 936046 Schroeder William S Car coupling published 1909 10 05 assigned to National Malleable Castings Company Thomas J Michie ed 1913 MacKenzie v New York Cent amp H R R Co Railroad Reports A collection of all cases affecting railroads of every kind decided by the courts of last resort in the United States Vol 67 Charlottesville VA The Michie Company pp 315 316 a b Railroading Glossary L TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 26 August 2014 Retrieved 20 February 2013 What is Light Rail LRTA org Light Rail Transit Association Archived from the original on 5 June 2016 Retrieved 6 July 2009 Grutzik Joe 2005 Adventure Lessons Teachings of an Existential Vagabond Los Angeles California Good amp Brown Publishers p 34 ISBN 0 9768915 1 4 Elliott W H January 1906 Signaling Railroad Men XIX 4 128 137 Solomon Brian 2003 Railroad Signaling MBI Publishing Company p 48 Operation and Maintenance of Diesel Electric Locomotives United States Departments of the Army and the Air Force October 1965 p 77 Fowler George L 2008 Locomotive Dictionary Vol 1 Lulu com pp 55 65 ISBN 9781935327615 Railroading Glossary M TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 21 August 2014 Retrieved 20 February 2013 Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice sixth ed New York Simmons Boardman Publishing Co 1922 pp 102 103 Bedwell Harry 2006 first published 1936 The Boomer A Story of the Rails Minneapolis MN First University of Minnesota Press p 322 ISBN 9781452909080 Green Jonathon 2005 first edition published 1998 Cassell s Dictionary of Slang second ed London Weidenfeld amp Nicolson p 923 ISBN 0 304 366366 Bianculli Anthony J 2003 Trains and Technology The American Railroad in the Nineteenth Century Vol 4 Bridges and Tunnels Signals Rosemont Publishing amp Printing Corp Associated University Presses p 172 ISBN 0 87413 803 5 Braman B Adams Rodney Hitt eds 1908 The Railroad Signal Dictionary first ed Chicago a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help CS1 maint location missing publisher link Railroad Glossary Definitions And Terms American Rails com Retrieved 26 October 2020 Compendium of Definitions and Acronyms for Rail Systems PDF Washington D C American Public Transportation Association 20 June 2019 p 180 Retrieved 26 October 2020 Siding passing track side track A track adjacent to a main or a secondary track for meeting passing or storing cars or trains Glossary of Train Speak TasRail Retrieved 26 October 2020 crossing loop a facility that permits trains to both cross and pass each other James W P 2008 first edition published 1916 Mikado Type Locomotives Locomotive Engineman s Manual fifteenth ed Periscope Film pp 24 27 ISBN 9780981652689 Glazier Stephen 1998 Random House Webster s word menu Random House p 212 ISBN 9780375700835 Tom Dalzell Terry Victor eds 2006 The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English Vol II J Z New York Routledge p 1295 ISBN 0 415 25938 X World Book Dictionary Chicago World Book Inc 2003 p 1318 ISBN 0 7166 0299 7 White 1968 p 62 65 Re Opening Mothballed Lines 22 February 2018 Travelling New Zealand s railways is all about terminated lines 29 September 2018 4 8 2 Locomotives Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice American Railway Master Mechanics Association 1947 pp 192 206 ISBN 9785874485672 Roy V Wright Charles N Winter eds 1922 Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice sixth ed New York Simmons Boardman Publishing Co pp 46 62 Duffy Michael C 2008 first edition published 2003 Electric Railways 1880 1990 History of Technology Stevenage UK The Institution of Engineering and Technology pp 191 193 ISBN 978 0 85296 805 5 Railroading Glossary N TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 22 August 2014 Retrieved 23 March 2017 Solomon Brian 2012 North American Locomotives A Railroad by Railroad Photohistory MBI Publishing Company p 6 ISBN 9781610586856 Glischinski Steve 1997 Santa Fe Railway Railroad Color History Andover Junction Publishing p 104 ISBN 0 7603 0380 0 Wilson Jeff 2009 The Model Railroader s Guide to Diesel Locomotives Waukesha WI Kalmbach Publishing p 15 ISBN 978 0 89024 761 7 Loumiet James R jungbauer William G 2005 Train Accident Reconstruction and FELA and Railroad Litigation fourth ed Tucson Arizona Lawyers amp Judges Publishing Co p 226 ISBN 978 1 930056 93 0 Railroading Glossary O TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 13 September 2014 Retrieved 20 February 2013 Henry Harrison Suplee B Sc J H Cuntz C E M E Charles Buxton Going Ph B eds 1906 The Engineering Index Vol IV 1901 1905 New York and London The Engineering Magazine p 714 a b c d e Railroading Glossary P TRN Trains com Kalmbach Publishing Archived from the original on 13 September 2014 Retrieved 20 February 2013 Hay William Walter 1982 Railroad Engineering John Wiley amp Sons Inc pp 134 135 ISBN 0 471 36400 2 MyLIRR July 2018 Archived from the original on 2 February 2019 Treese Lorett 2003 Railroads of Pennsylvania Fragments of the Past in the Keystone Landscape Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania Stackpole Books p 5 ISBN 0 8117 2622 3 Arbitration Cases No 1 No 61 Decided by the Per Diem Rules Arbitration Committee New York The American Railway Association June 1913 Publication 1194 B A Selection of Internal Revenue Service Tax Information Publications Vol 2 United States Internal Revenue Service 2000 p 247 Locomotive Engineers Journal 56 2 Des Moines Iowa Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers February 1922 197 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Weiser Eugene 2013 The Pennsylvania Railroad A Brief Look in Time The History of the American Railroads Seaford DE Dragonwick Publishing pp 30 31 ISBN 978 1300640783 Solomon Brian 2003 Railroad Signaling MBI Publishing Company p 103 ISBN 9781616738976 Hyman Anthony 1982 Charles Babbage Pioneer of the Computer Oxford University Press pp 142 143 ISBN 978 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Locomotives Waukesha WI Kalmbach Publishing p 48 ISBN 978 0 89024 761 7 The Potential for Increased On Rail Competition PDF Renaissance Trains Office of Rail Regulation UK Retrieved 15 February 2013 Further written evidence from Jonathan Tyler Passenger Transport Networks HSR 138A House of Commons Retrieved 15 February 2013 Ellis Iain 2006 Ellis British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia Lulu com p 269 ISBN 978 1 84728 643 7 OCLC 683418325 Loumiet James R Jungbauer William G 2005 Train Accident Reconstruction and FELA and Railroad Litigation fourth ed Tucson Arizona Lawyers amp Judges Publishing Co p 42 ISBN 978 1 930056 93 0 Simon Iwnicki ed 2006 Handbook of Railway Vehicle Dynamics Boca Raton Florida CRC Press pp 240 241 ISBN 0 8493 3321 0 Railway Track and Structures 92 Simmons Boardman Publishing 1996 27 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help McCulloch David S Bonilla Manuel G 1970 The Alaska Earthquake March 27 1964 Effects on Transportation and Utilities Geological Survey Professional Paper Washington DC United States Government Printing Office p D135 1 Killed 20 Hurt in Jersey Wreck Freight Car Jumps Rails and Rips Sides of Passenger Cars at Stevens Fire Follows Collision Edward Lawrence of Bordentown Brakeman Crushed Between Freight Car and Coach PDF 26 June 1920 Retrieved 5 October 2008 Beebe Lucius Clegg Charles 1994 The Age of Steam New York Promontory Press p 89 ISBN 0 88394 079 5 LCCN 72 86410 1 000 Places to See Before You Die p 272 Completed in 1910 the Bernina line is the highest railway crossing in the Alps Thompson David 2009 Railway Noise and Vibration Mechanisms Modelling and Means of Control first ed Oxford Linacre House p 8 ISBN 978 0 08 045147 3 a b railway line The Free Dictionary Retrieved 19 October 2014 China Russia mull high speed Moscow Beijing rail line report Yahoo News 17 October 2014 Retrieved 19 October 2014 China to build new East Africa railway line BBC News 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