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Sounds of the Railroad Library Photos, Desktops, Screensavers and Wallpapers Rail Links Calendar Rail Books Glossary of Railroad Terms and Vocabulary 2008 Railroading in California Calendar PREVIEW

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 K-L-M-N-O Kicker A common expression for an emergency brake application that occurs when no emergency brake application is intended. L Ladder Track A series of turnouts providing access to any of several parallel yard tracks. Line Haul Road A railroad that handles freight over a medium to long distance. Locomotive Locomotives are units propelled by any form of energy, or a combination of such units operated from a single control station, used in train or yard service Low Arm A nickname for a restricting signal in the days of the semaphor with the arm down 45 degrees. Livery Paint scheme, manner in which equipment is painted (e.g. stripes, bars, colors, logos), usually for a locomotive M Main Track A track extending through yards and between stations which must not be occupied without authority or protection. Malley Reference to the Mallet Articulated Cab Forward steam locomotives used by Southern Pacific railroad in the 30's, 40's and 50's. Manual Block System A series of consecutive blocks, governed by block signals operated manually, upon information by telegraph, telephone or other means of communication. Mark Two to four letters that identify the owner of a locomotive or car. e.g. CN for Canadian National; PROX for Procor Marker A train signal that is used to indicate the end of the train. Mother Locomotive that produces electricity to power an attached slug Multiple Main Tracks Two or more main tracks, the use of which is designated in the timetable. MU Multiple unit; slaving of two or more diesel electric locomotives together, controlled from the control stand of only one of them (usually the lead locomotive). MU can be used as a verb. N Number Dummies Clerks who worked as yard checkers O OCS Occupancy control system. This is a system of track control involving permission to proceed from one location to another. ORC Old Reliable Conductors -- The union that represented conductors during the mid to late 19th century Originating Line Haul Road The railroad where any freight shipment starts. Originating Station The first station on each subdivision from which a train is authorized to occupy the main track. Overhead Line Haul Road Any railroad or railroads between the originating line haul road and the terminating line haul road. Also known as a bridge line haul road. Overlap Sign A sign marking the limit of control of a block signal.