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Sounds of the Railroad Library Photos, Desktops, Screensavers
and Wallpapers Glossary of Railroad Terms and Vocabulary
2008 Railroading
in California Calendar |
Glossary of Railroad
Terms
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 DDED Dragging equipment detector. Similar to a HBD, but checks for
any equipment hanging off passing cars. Diamond Place where two railway tracks cross each other Ditch lights Lights on a locomotive that shine off to the sides of the path
in front, instead of directly in front like the headlight DPU Distributed power unit. Using DPUs involves placing
remote-controlled locomotives in the middle or at the rear of heavy trains
negotiating steep inclines. See robot. Draper taper A small cutout just to the rear of the cab in the long hood of
fully-cowled CN locomotives which gives limited visibility to the rear. This
was named after William L. Draper, CN's assistant chief of motive power at
the time of design. Drawbar The part of a railway car that connects the car to the coupler.
It's usually not fastened directly to the car frame, but connects to the car
through a spring-loaded draft gear that allows the coupler to move in or out
slightly, cushioning the impact of sudden starts and stops. Dynamic brakes Braking system using the traction motors of a diesel locomotive
as generators. Instead of driving electric current into the traction motors
to produce motion, the motion of the locomotive is converted into electricity
in the traction motors and taken off as electricity; this produces mechanical
resistance in the traction motors and they slow down. The electricity
produced is shed mostly as heat in some large electrical resistors; some of
the electricity is used to drive fans to keep the resistors cool. On some
locomotives (e.g. SD40, GP9), the air vents for cooling the dynamic braking
resistors are quite distinctive bulges; on others (e.g. SD70, SD75) they are
not easily seen. Date Nail A small
nail used by railroads from late 1800's to present used to mark the year a
tie was placed in roadbed. Nails are distinctive in that each has the last
two digits of placement year stamped in head. Usually found within six inches
of tie end, but some are located mid tie to allow easier inspection. Rarer
nails value in 100's of dollar range to collectors Dead Head A
railroad employee traveling on a pass. Dinger A
yardmaster. Distant Signal A fixed
signal outside of a block system, used to govern the approach to a block
signal, interlocking signal or switch point indicator. It will not convey
information as to conditions affecting the use of the track between the
distant signal and block signal, interlocking signal or switch point
indicator to which approach is governed--identified by a "D"
marker. Division A
portion of the railroad designated by timetable. Dollyflopper A
brakeman or switchtender - someone who throws switches. Double Slip Switch Used
only where space is limited, combines the functions of a crossing and turnouts
to allow any one of four routings. Double Track (DT) Two main
tracks, on one of which the current of traffic is in a specified direction,
and on the other in the opposite direction. Drawbar Horsepower The
total horsepower of a locomotive less the amount of horsepower that it takes
to move the locomotive itself, the balance being available to pull the load. Drill Track A track
connecting with the ladder track, over which locomotives and cars move back
and forth in switching. Dual Control Switch A
power-operated switch, also equipped for hand operation. Dump the air Emergency
application of the air brakes causing a train to stop abruptly, usually
causing damage to the merchandise being carried or to the train equipment,
itself Dwarf Signal Two or
three lens signal used to control a move over a switch in a yard. Dynamic Braking A method
of train braking where the kinetic energy from the train movement generates
current at the locomotive traction motors, and is dissipated in a resistor
grid on the locomotive. Dynamite Initiation
of an emergency brake application. Dynamiter A term
commonly given to an brake operating valve that goes into quick-action
emergency when it should not. Also called a Kicker. |
