Gandy Dancer
Member of a track section gang--so-called because the movements and chants of early track-laying crews resembled orchestrated dancing.

G Scale
Model railroading in a scale of 1:22.5; often erroneously applied to other scales in large scale model railroading such as 1:20.3, 1:24, 1:29, and 1:32--all of which also operate on #1 gauge (45mm track). See also "Large Scale."

Gangway
The space between the locomotive and the tender through which the crew enters and leaves.

Gas-electric
Self-propelled car powered by a gasoline engine driving a generator which supplies electric current to motors on the axles; commonly used for branchline passenger service in the 1920s and 1930s.

Gates
Turnouts.

Gauge (track)
The distance measured between the inside edges of the running rails.

Gauge (wire)
In electricity, a measure of the thickness of electrical wire, generally expressed as a number. The higher the number, the thinner the wire; e.g., 18 gauge is finer than 14 gauge.

Geep
Slang for a series of Electro-Motive Division (General Motors) road switchers designated as GP-7, GP-9, etc. (GP stands for General Purpose).

Glad Hand
The metal coupling on the end of an air hose.

"Goofy Gauge"
Contemporary slang term for the variety of large scale trains that all operate on #1 Gauge (G Gauge) track. Applied by modelers because a lack of industry standards has resulted in trains of various proportions--some representing Narrow Gauge equipment and others representing Standard Gauge equipment--all being made to operate on the same model railroad track gauge.

Goat
A small locomotive, generally a small yard engine.

Grab Irons
Handholds on the sides, ends, or roofs of railroad cars.

Grade
The degree of inclined elevation of the track's surface over a given distance, usually expressed as a percentage.

Green Eye
Clear signal to proceed.

Ground
One of the two poles of a battery, transformer, or power pack which, in conjunction with the "hot" wire from the other pole, completes an electrical circuit.

Ground Hog
Slang term for switchman.

Hack
See "Buggy."

Ham
Slang term for telegraph operator.

Hay Burner
A worn-out locomotive.

Head-end Cars
Express, mail, and baggage cars, usually run at the front of a passenger train consist behind the locomotives.

Heisler
Type of geared steam locomotive used by logging railroads. It has two cylinders arranged in a "V" connected to a driveshaft which, in turn, is connected to the trucks. See also, "Climax" and "Shay."

Helper
The second or added locomotive on a double-header; or a locomotive cut-in to the consist or pushing on the end to assist the train up a grade.

Herald
Trademark on locomotives and freight cars.

Hertz
See "Cycles."

Highball
To run at speed, or a sign to go ahead; so-called from old railroad ball signals which were hoisted on a pole.

High Iron
Main track on which travel is permitted only by schedule or orders; so-called because the rail used on this track is generally heavier than that used for sidings or yards.

Hi-Rail
or
Hi-Railer
Term commonly applied to toy train operators who prefer prototypical operations and a realistic operating environment on their model railroad--often including scale-proportioned and detailed locomotives, rolling stock and accessories--even though the track itself may have three rails or an unrealistically high profile.

HO Scale
Model railroad scale in the proportion of 1:87. Pronounced as "aich-oh." Roughly half the size of O Scale, or Half-O. The most popular model railroading scale in use today.

Hog
Slang term for a locomotive; yard switchers are often referred to as "yard hogs."

Hogger
Slang term for locomotive engineer.

Home Cars
Freight cars owned by the railroad which they are operating on.

Home Signal
The signal protecting the immediate block.

Hood Unit
A road switcher, so-called because of the construction of the locomotive, with the machinery covered by a hood rather than a full-width cab.

Hoop
A loop-type device used to pass orders up to a moving train.

Horsepower
The measuring unit of power; technically, the power necessary to continuously raise 550 pounds one foot in one second.

Hostler
An engine yard worker who performs a variety of tasks including moving locomotives about the yard or into and out of the servicing area.

Hot-box
An overheated journal or bearing on a freight car wheel, caused by a lack of lubrication.

Hot Wire
A wire connected to one of the two primary poles of a battery, transformer, or power pack which provides power to an electrical device (in conjunction with the Ground). A model train transformer may have several "Hot" poles--each providing a different voltage.

Hotel Power
The electrical power supplied to cars in a passenger train to run climate-control equipment, lighting, kitchens, and the like. The power is usually produced by AC generators or inverters run by the engine's motive-power diesels, or by separate motors in the engines. It may also be provided by a separate generator car at the head end of a passenger train consist.

Hump
An elevated section of track from which free-wheeling freight cars can be coasted by gravity for classification in the yards below.

Hy-cube
A type of boxcar that is taller than a standard boxcar, and therefore has a higher cubic capacity.

Induction
In electricity, the process of creating an electrical field or electrical current in a body that is in proximity to, but not connected with, the generating force; the principal behind voltage reduction in a toy train transformer.

Insulating Track Pin
In model railroading, a small track-connecting pin made of a non-conductive material which substitutes for the metal pin(s) normally used to connect two track sections. Prevents the flow of electricity from one section to the next section.

Insulated Track Section
In model railroading, a modified section of toy train track in which one of the outside running rails is insulated from the metal track ties by fiber strips or some other non-conductive material, and which is further insulated from adjacent rails by insulating track pins; commonly used to operate accessories.

Insulated Track Section
In model railroading, a modified section of toy train track in which one of the outside running rails is insulated from the metal track ties by fiber strips or some other non-conductive material, and which is further insulated from adjacent rails by insulating track pins; commonly used to operate accessories.

Interchange
Junction of two railroads where cars may be transferred from one line to the other.

Interlocking
Mechanical or electrical system of signaling that assures that only one train at a time is permitted to move through a junction.

Intermodal
An inter-mixing of non-rail transportation equipment such as highway truck trailers and overseas shipping containers on railcars--often called "Piggyback" service.

Interurban
A streetcar/trolley-style car used for passenger service (sometimes including light freight and mail service, and often in multiple units) between cities and towns, as opposed to local streetcar service. The term applied to such transportation systems and service in general.

"In-the-hole"
Railroader's term meaning a train is in a siding to meet or pass another train.

Jerry
A section hand.

Johnson Bar
The manual reversing lever on a steam locomotive (usually an older locomotive).

Journal
The load-bearing part of a railroad car axle. The weight of the axle is carried by the journal bearing, enclosed in the journal box.

Kar Trak
A system used to keep track of all railroad equipment, employing reflective identification labels on all rolling stock, trackside scanners, and computers.

Kettle
A locomotive.

King Pin
Slang term for conductor. Also Kingpin--the pivot on which a truck swivels (also known as a Center Pin).

Kit-bash
A term used to denote the making of a model railroad structure, car, etc., from parts of two or more ready-to-assemble kits.

Knuckle Coupler
Couplers on the ends of railroad cars and locomotives (standard in the U.S.) which, when viewed from above, resemble two hands with the fingers bent to grip one another.

Ladder Track
A track connecting a number of parallel sidings or stubs in a yard or terminal.

LCCA
Lionel Collectors Club of America. A national organization dedicated to the collecting of Lionel Trains. For membership information, write to: P.O. Box 479, LaSalle, IL 61301.

LCL
Less-than-carload lot. Any shipment of freight too small to fill an entire car.

Large Scale
Term commonly used to designate all model railroading scales in the nominal proportions of 1:24, 1:29, and 1:32 which operate on #1 Gauge (45mm) track. Also, the trade name applied to a line of such model train products produced by Lionel Trains. Term encompasses many of the largest of the commercially-available model railroading scales, exclusive of G Scale (1:22.5) which carries its own scale designation. See also, "G Scale."

Layout
In model railroading, the term applied to an arrangement of tracks on a table or platform; also commonly applied to the complete assembly of tracks, accessories, and scenery. See also, "Pike."

Lead Track
Trackage connecting a yard with the mainline.

Lichen
A moss-like plant which, when dried, preserved with glycerine, and dyed, is commonly used as a scenic decoration to simulate foliage, brush and undergrowth on model railroad layouts.

Lockon
A device used to connect wiring to tracks, especially on a three-rail model railroad. Allows the operator to directly connect wires from the transformer to the outside (ground) rail and inside (power) rail.

LOTS
Lionel Operating Train Society. A national organization for operators of Lionel Trains. For membership information, write to: Suite 1990, 7 W. 7th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Low Iron
Yard or siding tracks; anything not a part of the mainline.

LRRC
Lionel Railroaders Club. Organization of Lionel Electric Train enthusiasts sponsored by Lionel, LLC, manufacturer of Lionel Trains. For membership information, write to: P.O. Box 748, New Baltimore, MI 48047.

LRV (Light Rail Vehicle)
Term used to categorically identify railway equipment and systems such as trolleys and rapid transit cars--either electrically-powered or self-propelled.