Railroad Terms and Equipment

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Revision as of 17:13, 24 October 2011

Books

ALCO

ALCO -- Slang for engines, both diesel and steam but primarily the former, built by the now-defunct American Locomotive Company. ALCO does retain the cachet of being the builder of the largest main line use locomotive. It was the "Big Boy" purpose built for the Union Pacific. the Wikipedia entry for The American Locomotive Company may be read here: ALCO.

BALDWIN 2-6-0

BALDWIN 2-6-0 -- The 9608 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Company. It has 2 unpowered wheels (1 axle) in front to help with guiding the locomotive on the tracks, 6 driving wheels (3 axles) under the main part of the engine, and no trailing wheels under the cab. Small for a steam engine, in its day mostly used for local freights. Here is a link to a video of a 2-6-0 in action: Baldwin 2-6-0. There is also a good page about a restored and working 2-6-0 at this link: MCRR. It is essential that we include Wikipedia's page about the engine class 2-6-0. The Wikipedia entry on the Baldwin Locomotive Works may be read here: Baldwin.

BRAKEMAN

BRAKEMAN -- The crewman who manages the cars and switching while the train is under way. On some roads he may be called a "brakeman/switchman". In the days before modern air charged braking systems the brakeman ran along the top of the cars setting or releasing the brakes by hand. the Wikipedia article may be read here: Brakeman.

CABOOSE

CABOOSE -- Also crummy, crumbbox, way car, and others. Obsolescent at the time of this story, and obsolete today. In its day gave office and crew quarters at the back of a train. Through the years there were many types of cabooses on many different roads. The Wikipedia article gives a good history with pictures. It can be read here: Caboose. References to many types of railcars may be found at these links. Freight Cars & Railroad Car

CONDUCTOR

CONDUCTOR -- The railroad employee with primary responsibility for a train when underway. He tells the engineer how fast to run, where to pause to let other traffic pass and is responsible for the correct switching of any rolling stock during his shift. On the C&SL the engineer performs this function in addition to physically running the engines. On larger roads like the D&O he would be a separate crewman. The Wikipedia entries for conductor may be found here Conductor and Freight Conductor.

CONSIST

CONSIST -- Cars that the train consists of. In common usage it refers to a "road ready" set of equipment (engine & cars).

CORNFIELD MEET

CORNFIELD MEET -- Head on collision between two locomotives with or without trains attached. Cornfield Meet

COUPLING

COUPLING -- The mechanism that joins two train cars together, or the act of joining. There is a good article with illustrations here Coupling.

CUT or CUTS

CUT or CUTS -- Refers to a group of rail cars being switched. The term moving in "three cuts" means breaking apart a group (cut) of cars into three separate groups moving each "cut" to a new location and then re-assembling them into a single group (cut). A cut can also refer to a place where a railroad or road routed through an elevated area by way of "cutting" the roadbed through the area. This kind of cut through looks somewhat like a flat bottomed V. A cut can also appear to be a trench cut through a hill.

DISPATCHER

DISPATCHER -- The Dispatcher controls all train movement of any kind on the section or division for which he is responsible. On the C&SL there is no one specifically assigned as dispatcher. That function is largely part of Bud's job or in later books Josh assumes that responsibility. A good article can be found here Dispatcher.

EMD

EMD --Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (formerly the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors) is one of the largest builders of diesel electric locomotives. The reliability and economy of their locomotives essentially brought about the end of the steam era. There are many places to research EMD but a good place to start is this Wikipedia link, EMD.

ENGINE SERVICE

ENGINE SERVICE -- On the C&SL the term "engine service" refers to being promoted to the post of engineer and being placed on the roster of qualified engineers. On the C&SL as on some other short line railroads the engineer acts as conductor as well as engineer.

EOT

EOT -- End of Train or "F.R.E.D." (Flashing Rear End Device), the high tech replacement for the caboose. Can also be known as an ETD (End of Train Device). As well as giving warning to following equipment that there is a train under orders in front of them it also radios information about train conditions to the front end, especially brake line air pressure. FRED.

F7-COVERED WAGONS

F7-Covered Wagons --An early EMD diesel electric locomotive set. It was the series largely responsible for the demise of steam. Links to Wikipedia entries about these engines are here, F7 and F unit.

FISHPLATE

FISHPLATE -- Flat metal plate that joins two rails. Today, most rails on more heavily trafficked track are welded. Here is the Wikipedia entry for Fishplate.

FLATCAR, FLAT

FLATCAR, FLAT -- Open car without sides used for hauling vehicles, containers, trailers, large items. References to many types of railcars may be found at these links. Freight Cars & Railroad Car

FLYING SWITCH

FLYING SWITCH -- A "flying switch" is a method of switching rail cars at speed. While traveling down the track at sufficient speed for the cars to roll free onto the siding the brakeman "breaks" the coupling (the engineer usually has to bump the throttle to help the coupling break) and then signals the engineer that the coupling is open. The engineer then accelerates so that the consist can pass the switch leaving the brakeman time to jump off of the last car and then throw the switch so that the free wheeling cars pass onto the siding. While the cars being switched are clearing the main track the engineer brings the consist to a halt and reverses so that the brakeman can climb back aboard. The engineer must time things so that the consist is not back at the switch before the cars being switched have cleared the switch and the brakeman has had time to reline the switch for the main track. The engineer and brakeman must coordinate things so that the switch is always lined the proper way for each part of the maneuver otherwise there could be a derailment. This maneuver is very dangerous and it is quite easy for a crewman to be seriously injured or killed. Over the years some switching maneuvers that are not as complicated or that use some parts of the above description have also been called a "flying switch".

GEEP

GEEP -- Slang for "GP", the General Motors Electromotive "General Purpose" series of locomotives. All have 4 axles; newer ones, such as the GP-60, have considerably more power. For more information on the EMD locomotives go to this link: EMD.

GONDOLA, GON

GONDOLA, GON -- Open, low sided car used for hauling a variety of materials. References to many types of railcars may be found at these links. Freight Cars & Railroad Car

HI-RAILER

Hi-Railer -- A slang term used by railroaders to refer to any motorized vehicle that has been converted to run on rails as well as roads. Here is a link to a good article about Hi-Railers. [1]

HOGLAWED

HOGLAWED -- Slang term that means that a train crew has reached the 12-hour "hours of service" limit, federally mandated. Another term is "Dead, as in the crew is dead. When a crew reaches the service limit they are required by law to stop the train they are operating and lock the brakes until a replacement crew arrives. The slang term comes from the fact that at one time, law mandated that hogs had to have a break after a stated period of being in cars. At that time railroad workers didn't have such limits . . .

HOPPER

HOPPER -- Enclosed car used for hauling bulk material, such as grain, fertilizer, and so forth. References to many types of railcars may be found at these links. Freight Cars & Railroad Car

ICC, INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION

ICC, INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION -- Federal agency that oversees railroad operating rules.

ORDERS/TRAIN ORDERS

ORDERS/TRAIN ORDERS -- System by which North American railroads controlled train operation. A train was not allowed out of the marshaling yard or station unless it was "under orders". The once common system has been largely replaced by electronic and radio controlled systems. The Wikipedia article may be found here, Train Orders.

PASSING TRACK

PASSING TRACK -- A passing track is a section of track the is parallel to the main line. It has switches at both ends to tie it into the main line. To use it the train being passed pulls onto the passing track. The switches are relined for the main line. The train then waits until the train with "right of way" has passed. The switches are then opened and the train pulls back onto the main line. The switches then have to be relined for the main line. Many times an incorrectly set switch or a train not completely clear of the main line will cause an accident. Wikipedia has a good article on this topic vis this link Passing Track.

PIGGYBACK

PIGGYBACK -- Loading trailers or containers on flat cars for delivery. The method of piggybacking vehicles used in Snowplow Extra is primitive; virtually all loading and unloading today is done by crane. Most railroad histories credit The Chicago Great Western as being the first to offer full piggy-back service in 1936. While that is true the first common use of the technique was pioneered by the great circuses of the US. P. T. Barnum pioneered this usage in 1872. It has been reported that that the German army studied the circus system prior to World War I to learn how to quickly move their troops. Their need to load and unload a lot of equipment and performers (Including animals) in a short time led to the circus being the first great user of the piggy-back system. Most of the circus transportation departments owned their own rail flats which were designed and built to fit specific needs. They carried their own ramps and could load or unload anywhere. In the days of the great circus parade the flats were loaded and unloaded using horses and elephants. The Ringling organization still uses this system over a hundred years later although unloading power is now supplied by diesel tractors. A good Wikipedia article on this topic may be found here Intermodal.

RAILROAD JOB TITLES

RAILROAD JOB TITLES -- Since there are so many different types of jobs on a railroad this Wikipedia link should help Job Titles.

SECTION GANG

SECTION GANG -- Crew that maintains the railway roadbed.

SIGNALS

SIGNALS -- The system of lights, semaphore arms or electronic transmissions used to control train movement between dispatch centers. There is a good article here, Signals.

SMOKE ORDERS

SMOKE ORDERS -- When there are no written orders from dispatch or any form of signals trains are said to be running on "Smoke Orders". It comes from the days of steam when the crew always looked for the smoke from other approaching trains. This was a dangerous practice which led to many accidents.

SW, NW

SW, NW -- Designation of various older models of Electromotive switch engines. NWs are basically pre-WWII; SWs date from the late 40s and 1950s. For more information on the EMD locomotives go to this link: EMD.

SWITCHMAN

SWITCHMAN -- Also known as yardman. Is responsible for the correct operation of the switches to place the train and rolling stock where they are supposed to be for storage, delivery or for use. On the C&SL this duty is the responsibility of the brakeman.

SWITCHES

SWITCHES -- The mechanism that allows trains to change tracks. Called "turnouts" by Brits and modelers. There is a good article here with illustrations. Railroad Switch

TANK CAR

TANK CAR -- A rail car designed to carry liquid or pressurized gas. The earliest tank cars were literally a flat car with open top tanks. Most modern tank cars are owned by the industries that use them or by specialized leasing companies. References to many types of railcars may be found at these links. Freight Cars & Railroad Car. The Wikipedia page on tank cars may be found here Tank Car.

TRACTION MOTOR

TRACTION MOTOR -- Railroad engines use diesel power to run a generator, and the generator provides electric power to run electric motors called traction motors, which are mounted down near the axles, exactly where depends on the type. Though indirect, it allows train engines to pull very hard from a dead stop. Here you will find 2 articles on Diesel Electric and Gas Turbine Electric locomotives.

TRAIN AIR, AIR BRAKES

TRAIN AIR, AIR BRAKES -- Train brakes work by positive air pressure. They are defaulted to the "brakes on" position. Air pressure needs to be pumped up by the engine via hoses connecting the cars for the train to move. It can take a while to pump up train air. This link leads to a good article on Train Air Brakes. Railroad Air Brakes

TURN

TURN -- Train that starts a run out of a location and returns there the same shift

VHF

VHF -- Very High Frequency radio, similar to aircraft radio but operates in a slightly different frequency range. Line of sight only, which adds to the story complexity. This story is set before cell phones!

WYE

WYE -- A Wye in railroad terms is an arrangement of three sections of track and three switches that allows a train to reverse the direction in which it is headed. A good article on this is available with pictures and diagrams on Wikipedia via this link WYE.

Books

Snowplow Extra

Busted Axle Road

Runner's Moon

Facing the Storm