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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 P-Q-R Pig train Intermodal train, originally piggyback Piggyback Occurs when a tractor-trailer is placed (usually without the tractor) on a flat car or specially-designed rail car. See also TOFC Prime mover – Diesel engine that drives the electric generator in a diesel electric locomotive Putt-putt Speeder Paired Track When two railroads own single track lines, they may reach an agreement whereby one railroads track services both roads in one direction, while the other railroads track services both roads in the other direction. Partial Service Application Reducing the brake pipe pressure at a service rate but not enough to cause the reservoir and cylinder pressure to equalize. Piggyback TOFC or trailer on a flat car. Originally used when truck trailers were loaded onto flat cars for shipment by rail. Piglet A locomotive engineer trainee. Pilot An employee assigned to a train when the engineer or conductor is not acquainted with the rules or portion of a railroad over which the train is to be moved. Pocket Portion of track within a terminal on which a train may stand for a period of time Position Light Signal A fixed signal in which the indications are given by the position of two or more lights. Prime Mover A V-type diesel with 8 to 20 cylinders rated at about 125 hp per cylinder if normally aspirated or 250 hp per cylinder if Turbo charged. Private Car/Business Car Coaches owned by private individuals/railroad (for use of corporate officials or supervisors). Cars were positioned at end of trains and train crews were to remain off these cars except in performance of duties. Crew was also to see that occupants of these cars were not disturbed at all costs Q R Radial railway Interurban railway RDC Rail diesel car. Self-propelled passenger car with a diesel engine RIP Acronym for "repair, inspect, paint". A RIP track is a track set aside for simple repairs of railcars. Robot Remote controlled locomotive used in the centre or rear of a train. Sometimes in the past, a special robot car was required for the remote control equipment. "Locotrol" is a tradename for robot equipment and is often installed in the locomotive cab. RTC Rail traffic controller. The RTC directly controls the switches and signals from a control panel that displays the status of each as well as the occupied status of each section of track. He is usually in radio contact with locomotives and work crews on his section of the track. See CTC. Rail Weight The number of pounds per yard that rail weighs. Currently rail is being rolled at 112 to 145 pounds per yard. Rake Wagons/carriages semi permanently joined in an articulation rather than via a coupler Regular Train A train authorized by a timetable schedule. Repeater Signal Signal placed on the opposite side of the track from the controlling signal. It repeats the aspect of the controlling signal for a greater range of vision. Restricted Speed A speed that will permit stopping within one half the range of vision; short of train, engine, railroad car, stop signal, derail or switch not properly lined, looking out for broken rail, not exceeding 20 MPH. Rip Track A small car repair facility, often a single track in a small yard. Name derived from "Repair, Inspect and Paint." Rolling Resistance Resistance that is made up of wheel friction, journal friction, and wind resistance. It is non recoverable. Ruling Grade The particular point on the run at which the combination of grade and curve resistance makes the train pull hardest and, therefore, "rules" how heavy a load can be given to the locomotive.