Letters S-Z
S Scale
Sand Dome
Saw-by
Scale
Schedule
Scenicking
Scratch-building
Secondary Coil
Second Section
Section Hand
Sectional Track
Sectional Layout
Semaphore
Series Circuit
Service Track
Shanty
Shay
Shoo-fly
Short Line
Shuffle
Shunt
Side Bay
Siding
Skunk
Slip Switch
Slug
Smoke Box
Smokejack
Snowshed
Spacer Car
Spar
Spike
Spine
Spotting
Spur
Standard Gauge
Station, Way
Steam Chest
Stinger
Stoker
Stub
Superelevation
Switcher (also Shifter)
Tallow Pot
Tangent
Tank Engine
TCA
Tea Kettle
Telltale
Tender
Terminal
Third Rail
Throat
Throttle
Tie
Tie Plate
Timetable
Tin-Litho
Tinplate
Toe Boards
TOFC
Ton-mile
Track Clips
Track Pin
Traction
Tractive Effort
Trailing Switch
Trailing Truck
Train Order
Trainmaster
Train Set (also Trainset)
Transfer Table
Transformer
Transition Curve
Trestle
Truss Bridge
TT Scale
TTOS
T.T.U.X. (also T.T.A.X.)
Trolley
Trucks
Turbine Locomotive
Turnout
Turntable
Uncoupling Track
Unit Train
USRA
Vanderbilt Tender
Variable Voltage Post
Varnish
Vestibule
Volt
Washout
Water Bottle
Water Column
Watt
Waybill
Way Car
Way Freight
Wells
Whyte Classification System
Wildcat
Wire Tapper
Worm Gear
Wye (sometimes given as "Y")
Yard Geese
Yard Goat
Yardmaster
Yellow Eye
Model railroad scale in the proportion of 1:64. Popularized by A. C. Gilbert's American Flyer electric trains in the 1940s through the 1960s.
Today, American Flyer trains continue to be produced on a limited basis by Lionel, LLC.
A dome-shaped receptacle on top of a steam locomotive's boiler; filled with sand for distribution to the rails as needed to provide greater
traction for the engine's drive wheels.
A maneuver in which two trains can meet and pass at a siding which is too short to hold the complete length of either train.
The ratio in size between a model and its prototype, expressed as a fraction or a proportion (for example1/48 or 1:48 for O Scale).
That portion of a timetable that lists the class, direction, number, and movement of regular trains.
Slang term for the application of scenery materials of various types to a model railroad layout.
In model railroading, the act of constructing scenery, buildings, rolling stock, or locomotives from raw materials by hand, rather than from a
ready-to-assemble kit.
In electricity, the heavier wire winding within the core of a transformer that produces reduced voltage and which connects directly (in model
railroading) to the track and accessories. See also, Primary.
A train--usually passenger--run with the same number or name as a preceding train on the same day.
Track worker.
In model railroading, pieces of track in any scale or gauge manufactured to specific geometric proportions, which can then be joined
together in straight lines, curves, and circles.
A type of model railroad layout made up of various smaller sections that are joined together to form the larger layout; designed this way so
the layout can be disassembled and/or moved without destroying any major components.
A trackside signal which uses a movable arm to convey track occupancy information to the train crew.
In electricity, an electrical circuit serving several devices (such as lamps) wherein the current passes from one pole of the power source
through each device in succession before reaching the other pole. In this type of circuit, each lamp receives only a portion of the total voltage
available at the source. For example, if there are two lamps, each receives half the power; if there are three lamps, each receives one-third
the power; etc. See also, Parallel.
Track on which engines take on coal, water, and sand, as necessary.
Slang term for a caboose.
A gear-driven steam locomotive used extensively in logging and mining operations. It has three cylinders mounted vertically on the right side
of the boiler driving a crankshaft geared to all axles--sometimes including the tender's axles, when present.
Temporary track laid around an obstruction while the primary track is under repair or being replaced.
A small railroad, generally Class II (revenues less than $5 million per year).
To switch cars.
To "shift" or "drill" cars to another path.
or
Bay Window Caboose
A caboose with bay windows in the sides instead of a cupola on the roof.
A section of track accessed off the mainline by means of a turnout. A dead-end siding connected to the mainline by a turnout at one end
only is called a "spur." A siding connected by turnouts at both ends is called a "Passing Siding."
Slang term for a call boy.
A piece of trackwork that combines a crossing and four turnouts to permit trains to move from one track to the other or to stay on the same
track.
A motive unit with no diesel engines of its own; draws power for its traction motors from an attached regular diesel engine--a combination
used primarily for heavy freight yard work.
Cylindrical section at the head end of the boiler, beneath the stack.
a chimney on a car or building.
Structure built over the track in mountainous areas to protect the track from snow and avalanches.
Empty cars (most commonly gondolas) placed at both ends of a car carrying an extra-heavy load for the purpose of distributing the train's
weight over bridge spans.
The wooden rod used in polling operations.
A nail-like device with a large, offset head that is driven into ties to anchor rail in place and to maintain proper track alignment.
Articulated intermodal car sets with separate load-bearing units resting on common trucks and having a body consisting solely of a steel
center beam with hitches and truck trailer wheel supports.
Placing cars in a desired location; shifting.
A divergent track (siding) having only one point of entry; a branch line over which irregular service is offered.
In model railroading, toy trains larger than O gauge that operate on track measuring 2-1/8 inches between the running rails. Standard Gauge
products were introduced by the Lionel Corporation in 1906 and were commonly produced by Lionel and others up until the start of World
War II. In prototype railroading in the U.S. (and in some other countries), track measuring 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches between the inside edges of
the running rails.
A small station with a passing siding only.
Box containing the valve mechanism for the cylinders of a steam locomotive.
A trainman.
An automatic firing device which feeds fuel to the engine. Slang term for a fireman.
A short diverging track (siding) ending in a bumper. A stub has a turnout only at one end.
the slight raising of the outer rail on a curve; banking.
An engine primarily used to move and position cars on different tracks, such as in a yard.
Slang term for locomotive fireman.
Straight track.
Steam locomotive that carries its fuel and water supplies in tanks hung over or placed alongside the boiler, or on a frame extension (bunker)
at the rear, instead of in a tender.
Train Collector's Association. National organization dedicated to the advancement of the collecting and operating of toy trains of all eras.
For membership information, write to: P.O. Box 248, Strasburg, PA 17579.
Slang term for an old locomotive, especially a leaky steam locomotive.
A curtain-like signal consisting of lengths of chain or free-swinging rods suspended over the tracks to warn workers on the top of moving
cars of an approaching low clearance such as a bridge or a tunnel entrance.
The car immediately behind a steam locomotive which is used to store the water and fuel (wood, coal, or oil) needed for the locomotive's
operation.
Principal point of origination or termination of trains for one or more railroads; generally located in or near major cities. Includes any station
structure, turnouts, towers, associated buildings, and other equipment.
The center rail on Lionel-type toy train track. On prototype electric, subway, and even some scale model railroads, a third rail for electric
current pickup may be located outside one of the running rails.
The entrance tracks to a terminal or yard.
The speed control on a locomotive. In model railroading, a rheostat generally functions as the throttle by controlling the voltage which
reaches the track.
A supporting cross piece--usually of wood or concrete on prototype railroads--that holds the rails of railroad track the proper distance
apart (Gauge) and in proper alignment.
The steel shoes in which the rails sit when they are spiked to wooden ties.
A printed schedule of regular train movements.
Tinplate sheets which have been decorated by a printing process known as lithography. A process commonly used in the construction of toy
trains in the period before World War II.
Stamped-steel (usually) surfaces which have been coated with a layer of tin to prevent rust and corrosion. Most toy train track is tinplated,
and this term has, by extension, commonly been used to refer to all toy trains and their operators ("Tinplaters").
Running boards on the roof of a railroad car.
Trailer-on-flatcar. (Intermodal service.)
One ton of freight transported one mile.
Devices used to attach two ties of adjoining track sections together in a toy train layout. These are used to fasten track sections together in
temporary layouts.
In model railroading, a short metal electrically-conductive rod that is inserted into the ends of toy train track to connect adjacent sections.
In the context of rail transportation and associated modeling, a term generally used to connote electric trolley, streetcar, and interurban lines
and equipment.
The force which a locomotive can pull under controlled conditions.
A turnout or switch whose points face away from oncoming traffic.
A two- or four-wheeled truck located behind a steam locomotive's driver wheels which helps support the rear of the engine.
A written order on a form which gives directions for train movements that are not on the schedule. Train orders are usually issued by the
dispatcher.
An employee who coordinates the work of the yardmaster and the roundhouse foreman; he reports directly to the superintendent.
In real railroading, the term applied to a passenger train consist--often including the engine(s)--which customarily is not broken up except for
special work on a component. In model railroading, a set of equipment usually consisting, at minimum, of a locomotive, cars, track, and
transformer of power pack.
A laterally-moving geared set of rails used to move a locomotive or cars from one track to another. Typically used in engine service facilities
which have a rectangular engine house or shops rather than a roundhouse.
A device for changing ( transforming) high-voltage Alternating Current (AC) into low-voltage AC.
A section of track with a gradually diminishing radius between the straight track and the circular portion of the curve.
A wooden bridge-like structure usually having all supporting members below the railway tracks.
Railroad bridges of various designs principally supported by a structure comprised of rigid steel beams.
Model railroad scale in the proportion of 1:120. Early competitor to HO scale and still being manufactured in limited numbers, but no longer
considered a major force in scale model railroading.
Toy Train Operating Society. National organization dedicated to promoting the collecting and operating of toy trains of all types. For
membership information, write to: 25 W. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91103.
Nomenclature used to identify "Trailer Train" intermodal cars specially designed for transport of shipping containers and/or truck trailers by
rail. The acronym, TTX, is sometimes used in reference to rail intermodal service, facilities, and operations in general.
Name commonly given to a streetcar which receives its power from overhead electric lines. Also, the name of the pole-like device used to
collect and transfer electricity from the overhead lines into the streetcar itself.
The wheels, axles, and related assemblies on railroad rolling stock.
One with power supplied by a steam turbine.
Generally regarded as the correct nomenclature for a track switch--a device configured with movable rails which allow a train to enter an
alternate route.
A large, pivoted circular apparatus which rotates in a pit and is used to turn locomotives around, or to position them for movement to a
different track.
Special section of track in tinplate railroading used to activate couplers by means of a brief electromagnetic charge sent from the
transformer.
A consist of freight cars, usually dedicated to a single commodity and/or origin and destination, which customarily is not broken-up except
for special maintenance work on a component. (For passenger trains, see "Train Set.")
United States Railway Administration. The federal agency established during World War I to manage and coordinate the nation's railroad
industry. Subsequently, most commonly associated with the design of a variety of standardized steam locomotives produced during and after
that period.
A steam locomotive tender with a distinctive, rounded, tank-style compartment behind a squared-off front portion.
In model railroading, the terminal post on a transformer that is connected internally to a rheostat and which provides different amounts of
voltage output according to the positioning of a movable control handle.
A passenger train (wooden passenger coaches used to be given a glossy coat of varnish).
The enclosed area at the end of a passenger car where the side doors are located. Also, a closed cab on steam locomotives to protect the
engineer and fireman from inclement weather.
A unit of electrical measurement which determines the level of force or pressure behind an electrical current. The greater the voltage, the
more powerful the current. Specifically, it is the amount of pressure that will cause one ampere of current to flow through one ohm of
resistance.
A "stop" signal. Also, track ballast washed away by water action.
Slang term for a water-filled tank car placed directly behind a steam locomotive's tender as an extra source of water for the locomotive's
boiler in the event that water is scarce along a given stretch of track.
A standpipe adjacent to the track and connected to a water supply for filling steam locomotive tenders.
The unit of electrical energy expended in powering a device. This term is used to illustrate the top power capacity of an electrical device
such as a transformer or light bulb.
Freight car handling order identifying the shipper, receiver, routing, and contents of the car.
A freight car carrying local shipments.
A freight train making all local stops for which shipments are carried.
Intermodal cars having a full depressed pocket between the wheels to hold shipping containers--primarily designed for double-stack
service.
The numbering system used to describe various types of steam engines by their wheel arrangement. The system uses three numbers: one for
the number of wheels on the pilot; one for the number of drive wheels; and one for the number of wheels on the trailing truck. For example:
2-6-4 indicates two pilot wheels; six drive wheels; and four trailing-truck wheels.
A runaway locomotive.
A telegraph operator.
A gear with slightly slanted teeth which are designed to meash with a "worm." In model railroading, the worm gear is usually mounted on the
driving axle.
A track system comprised of three switches and three long legs of track which enables an entire train to turn around as a unit.
Workers in a yard; switchmen.
A switching locomotive.
Railroad employee in charge of yard operations.
"Proceed with caution" signal.