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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 SSaw-by Situation that occurs when a train that takes a siding to let another
train pass is too long for the siding. Scab Non
union member doing work usually contracted by railroads for railway union
labor contracts. Schedule That
part of a timetable which prescribes class, direction, number and movement for
a regular train. Section One of
two or more trains running on the same schedule, displaying signals or for
which signals are displayed. Semaphore
Signal A signal
in which the day indications are given by the position of a semaphore arm. SGU Steam generator unit; a head end car with a steam generator to
provide heating to passenger cars Shock The
effect of a sudden change in speed of a car, locomotive or train, or part of
a train. Shoe Fly
Track (Shoofly) A
temporary track built around an obstacle such as a train wreck or washout Side
Track A track
auxiliary to the main track. Siding A track
auxiliary to the main track for meeting or passing trains. The timetable will
indicate stations at which sidings are located. Signal
Aspect The appearance
of a fixed signal conveying an indication as viewed from the direction of an
approaching train; or the appearance of a cab signal conveying an indication
as viewed by an observer in the cab. Signal
Dolly Train
that delivers supplies to towers. Signal
Indication The
information conveyed by the signal aspect. Signalman The man
who controls the signals and authorizes the movements of trains on running
lines Single-Car
Test Device Is used
to test the air brake equipment on car that is sent to a repair track Single
Track A main
track upon which trains are operated in both directions. Skipper The
conductor Slack The
motion, forward or back, that one or more cars, locomotives, or parts of a
train has without moving other coupled cars, locomotives, or parts of the
train. Loose slack is the free movement or lost motion between parts of a
train. Spring slack is the movement beyond the free or lost motion brought
about through compressing the draft gear springs. Slack is necessary so as to
start one car at a time and so that the train may be operated around curves
and over high and low places. Slack
Action Movement
of part of a coupled train at a different speed than another part of the same
train. Slug A locomotive that has no diesel engine or electric generator,
but only traction motors powered by the electricity produced by another
locomotive (the mother). Sometimes known as a booster unit. Yard slugs are
used in rail yards for higher traction at low speeds. A slug is sometimes
made from an old locomotive by removing the diesel engine, generator and
other superfluous equipment, and adding concrete to give weight. A slug is
NOT the same as a B-unit which has a diesel engine and generator. Snow shield Piece of metal extending over the air intake of a locomotive to
keep snow from being sucked in. On many locomotives, these are on both sides,
just behind the cab. Spark arrester (arrestor) Device on the exhaust of a locomotive to keep sparks from flying
out and starting fires. These are often quite distinctive as on some CN
SW1200s and GMD1s. Speeder Small, low rail vehicle with gasoline engine used to transport
work crews; sometimes known as a jigger, motorcar, or putt-putt Spot Park a rail car; "The car was spotted on the company's team
track." Spreader Rail vehicle used to push gravel or snow away from the outsides
of the rails Spring
Switch A switch
equipped with a spring mechanism to restore the switch points to original
position after having been trailed through. Station A place
designated in the timetable station column by name. Steam generator Special equipment to generate steam. Passenger cars in the early
age of diesel were heated by steam. Some diesel locomotives have steam generators
in them; steam was passed to the attached passenger cars by interconnected
pipes. For trains where the locomotive did not have a steam generator, a
special steam generator car (SGU) was attached, usually right behind the
locomotive(s). Rendered obsolete by HEP Stub
Track A form
of sidetrack connected to a running track at one only and protected at the
other end by a bumping post or other obstruction. Subdivision A
portion of a division designated by timetable. SUNA Initials
of Switchmens Union of Superior
Train A train
having precedence over another train. Swing
Man The rear
brakeman Switch
Point Indicator A light
type indicator used in connection with facing point movement over certain
switches to indicate switch points fit properly |
