Glossary

Abutment: A structure built at the end of a bridge or viaduct to support the weight of the structure and transfer it to the ground.

Air Brake System: A braking system used in trains that uses compressed air to control the brake on each individual railcar.

Air Test: A procedure performed before a train departs to ensure that the air brake system is functioning properly.

Alley: A narrow track between two rows of structures or scenery that allows a train to pass through a congested area.

Arrival-Track: A track in a train yard where incoming trains are directed to stop for inspection and unloading.

Automatic Block Signal System: A system of signals and track circuits that automatically control the movement of trains, ensuring safe spacing and preventing collisions.

Benchwork: The framework or supporting structure of a model railroad layout, often constructed of wood or metal.

Backdrop: A painted or photographic background that creates the illusion of distance and depth in a model railroad scene.

Belt Line: A railroad that encircles a city or metropolitan area, providing connections between various industries and railroads.

Block: A section of track between two consecutive signals, designated for the movement of one train at a time.

Blue Flag: A safety device used to indicate that work is being performed on a railcar, and that it should not be moved until the work is complete and the blue flag is removed.

Board and Batten Siding:  type of exterior siding commonly used on railroad structures, characterized by wide vertical boards and narrow strips that cover the joints.

Brakeman: A crew member responsible for manually applying and releasing the brakes on individual railcars.

Branch: A secondary track that diverges from the main line, usually serving a particular industry or location.

Caboose:  special railcar attached to the rear of a freight train, typically used for crew accommodation and as a rolling office.

Caboose-track: A designated track in a train yard where caboose cars are parked and serviced.

Camelback: A type of steam locomotive with a raised cab and a large firebox mounted on top of the rear driving wheels.

Carman: A railroad employee responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining railcars.

Cherry Picking: The process of selectively choosing certain cars or industries to operate on a model railroad layout, rather than following a realistic schedule or route.

Chief Dispatcher: The person responsible for overseeing the movement of trains on a railroad system, typically based in a central dispatching office.

Classification Yard: A large train yard where incoming trains are broken down and sorted according to their destinations.

Conductor: The crew member responsible for overseeing the operation of a train, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and communicating with the dispatcher.

Crew: The group of employees responsible for operating a train, typically consisting of an engineer, conductor, and brakeman(s).

Crossing: A point where two or more railroad tracks intersect at grade.

Crossing, Grade: A crossing where a railroad track intersects a public road or highway at the same level.

Centralized Traffic Control (CTC): A system of controlling train movements using a centralized control panel, often incorporating signals, switches, and train detection devices.

Culvert: A drainage structure that allows water to flow underneath a railroad embankment or grade.

Curve: A section of track that changes direction, usually requiring a train to negotiate the curve at a reduced speed.

Cut: A section of track where a train or group of cars can be separated from the rest of the train

Departure Yard: A classification yard where trains are made up for outbound trips.

Derail: A device designed to derail or guide a rolling stock off a track to prevent accidents.

Diamond: An intersection of two rail lines at the same level, where the rails cross each other diagonally.

Dispatcher: A person who controls the movement of trains on a railroad.

Division: A geographic segment of a railroad that includes a group of stations and yards.

Dog bone: A track plan in which two loops are connected by a single track in the shape of a bone.

Double Ended Siding: A siding that has turnouts at both ends, allowing trains to enter and exit without backing up.

Double Slip Switch: A special type of switch that allows a train to enter or exit two tracks simultaneously.

Double Track: Two parallel tracks that allow trains to run in opposite directions.

Drill Track: A track used for assembling or disassembling trains.

Drop: A section of track that is lower than the rest of the track, used to provide clearance for overheight loads.

Duckunder: A section of a layout where the operator must duck or crouch to access hidden tracks or areas.

Easement: A transition curve used to ease the transition between two sections of track with different radii.

Elevation: The height of a track above or below the surrounding terrain.

Engineer: The person who operates a locomotive.

Enginehouse: A building used for servicing and storing locomotives.

Engine Yard: An area where locomotives are stored, serviced, and prepared for their next assignments.

End-of-train device (EOT): A device mounted on the rear of a train to indicate the end of the train to the crew and the dispatcher.

Extra: A train that is not part of the regular schedule.

Facing (Turnout): A switch that leads to a track that is facing in the direction of the train.

Fascia: A board or panel that conceals the underlying structure of a layout.

Feeder: A wire that supplies power to a section of track.

Fiddle Yard: A hidden staging yard used for storing and sorting trains.

Fill: A section of track that is raised above the surrounding terrain.

Fireman: The person who assists the engineer in operating a locomotive.

Flagging: A safety procedure in which a flagman warns approaching trains of a work crew on the tracks.

Flagman: A person who uses flags to signal the engineer of a train.

Free-lance: A model railroad based on a fictional or imaginary prototype.

Freight Agent: A railroad employee who handles freight at a station.

Freight Yard: A yard where freight cars are sorted and classified.

Grade: The slope or incline of a track.

Grade Crossing: A crossing where a railroad track intersects a road or highway.

Gravity Yard: A yard where cars are moved by gravity instead of locomotives.

Guardrail: A low fence or barrier used to prevent derailments.

Haul, Short: A local freight train that operates over a short distance.

Head-end Cars: Cars that are positioned at the front of a train, next to the locomotive.

Helix: A spiral track that allows trains to climb or descend between different levels of a layout.

Helper: An additional locomotive that is used to assist a train over a steep grade.

Highball: A signal given to a train crew to proceed at maximum speed.

Hostler: A person who moves locomotives in a yard or enginehouse.

House Track: A track used for storing passenger cars at a station.

Hump Yard: A type of classification yard where cars are pushed over a hill, or "hump," which creates momentum and allows the cars to roll into predetermined tracks, where they are sorted according to their destination.

Interchange: A location where railroads exchange cars with each other.

Interlocking: A system of signals, switches, and other devices that work together to control train movements through a particular area of track.

Kicking: A technique used to move a railcar without a locomotive by pushing it manually or with another car.

LCL: Less-than-carload shipments, which are shipments that do not fill an entire railcar and are therefore combined with other smaller shipments.

Lead Track: The track that leads to a specific industry or customer from a main line or siding.

Main Line: The primary track on a railroad that connects major cities and destinations.

Maintenance-of-way (MOW): The department responsible for maintaining and repairing railroad tracks, signals, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Marshalling Yard: A classification yard used to sort and assemble trains for specific destinations.

NMRA: The National Model Railroad Association, an organization for model railroad enthusiasts that 

promotes and provides standards for model railroad design and construction.

Operation: The process of running trains on a model railroad layout, including setting up a schedule, assembling trains, and operating them according to the schedule.

Originating Station: The station where a train starts its journey.

Passing Siding: A length of track next to a main line where trains can pass each other in opposite directions.

Pocket: A short length of track used for storing a single railcar or locomotive.

Proto-freelance: A model railroad layout that is based on a prototype railroad, but with some fictional elements and modifications.

Prototype: The real-life railroad that a model railroad layout is based on.

Radio Control: A system of controlling model trains using radio signals instead of wires.

Rerailer: A device used to guide derailed train wheels back onto the track.

Restricted Speed: A speed limit imposed on trains due to track or weather conditions.

Restricted Track: A section of track with a specific restriction, such as a lower weight limit.

Right of Way: The land owned by a railroad that includes the track and surrounding area.

Rip-Track: A section of track used for repairing and maintaining locomotives.

Runaround Track: A track used to change the position of a locomotive or train on a siding or spur.

Service Yard: A yard used to service and repair locomotives and cars.

Siding: A track that branches off from a main line and leads to an industry or customer.

Spotting: The act of placing a railcar or locomotive in a specific location for loading, unloading, or other purposes.

Spur: A short track that leads to an industry or customer from a main line or siding.

Staging Tracks: Tracks used to store trains that are not currently being operated on the layout.

Storage Yard: A yard used for storing idle railcars and locomotives.

Stub Track: A short track that leads to a bumper or dead end.

Superelevation: The banking of a railroad track on a curve to counteract the centrifugal force on trains and provide a smoother ride.

Switch: A device used to guide a train from one track to another.

Switching Lead: A track used to access a specific area of a yard or industry.

Team Track: A track that can be used by any customer for loading or unloading railcars.

Terminating Station: The station where a train ends its journey.

Timetable: A schedule of train movements.

Timetable and Train Orders: A system of communication between dispatchers and train crews, used to manage the movement of trains on a railroad. The timetable establishes a schedule for when trains are expected to pass certain points, while train orders allow the dispatcher to issue specific instructions to individual trains.

Trackage Rights: The legal right of a railroad company to use another company's tracks for a specified purpose or time period. This can allow for more efficient routing of trains or facilitate access to new markets.

Train Order: A written directive from a dispatcher to a train crew that contains specific instructions regarding the movement of a train. This can include speed limits, route changes, or orders to wait for another train.

Train Order Signal: A signal used to indicate to train crews that they should expect to receive a train order at a specific location.

Trainmaster: A railroad employee who is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of trains within a specific region or terminal. The trainmaster is responsible for managing train crews and coordinating with dispatchers to ensure trains are moving on time and safely.

Walk Around: A procedure performed by train crews before departure, where they visually inspect the train to ensure that it is safe and ready for operation. This can include checking for loose or damaged equipment and making sure all necessary supplies are on board.

Way Freight: A train that makes stops at multiple smaller stations along its route to pick up and deliver freight.

Wye: A type of railroad track arrangement that allows trains to turn around and travel in the opposite direction. It consists of a triangular arrangement of tracks that allows a train to reverse direction while remaining on the same track.

"Y (Turnout)": A type of railroad track arrangement that allows a train to diverge onto a separate track. It consists of two tracks that diverge at a switch, forming a Y-shaped configuration.

Yard: An area of railroad track where trains are assembled, disassembled, and sorted. Yards can 

also be used for storing freight cars and locomotives.

Yard Lead: A track that leads into a railroad yard, where trains can be assembled or disassembled.

Yard Limits: The designated boundaries of a railroad yard, beyond which trains must operate at restricted speeds and receive special instructions from the yardmaster or dispatcher.

Yardmaster: A railroad employee who is responsible for overseeing the operations of a railroad yard, including the assembly and disassembly of trains, movement of locomotives and freight cars, and coordination with train crews and dispatchers.