R Glossary of rail transport terms

rail profiles flat-bottom , bullhead rails


the cross section shape of rail. there many rail profiles specific individual railroads. rails need periodically scanned electronically, data inspected , analysed, re-profiled rail grinding machines maintain safe , proper rail profile . rails cannot brought proper rail profile condemned , replaced.
rail squeal
a screeching train-track friction sound, commonly occurring on sharp curves or heavy braking
rail tractor
a small petrol (gas) or diesel shunting (switcher) locomotive
railroad car
any railroad vehicle other locomotive
railroadiana
artifacts of railways around world
railway line
a railway route connecting 2 or more places or other railway routes
a railway route constructed organization, 1 formed purpose
a railway route has been given line name officially (e.g. engineers line references in uk)
a set of railway routes bundled publicity purposes (e.g. uk train operating company)
railway station


washington, d.c. s union station example of railway station


a train station, stopping point trains, passenger access
railway terminal
a building passengers @ end of railway line
red
a colour associated stop, when shown signals or flags
red zone
the area between, under, or within few feet of cars , locomotives. enter zone, ground employee must obtain protection locomotive engineer (if locomotive coupled) or blue signal (if no locomotive coupled).
reefer
a refrigerated railcar, used transport perishable goods
refuge siding
a siding used passing place on main line, slow trains may held whilst express passes—a simpler, less convenient, form of passing loop
reporting mark
a two- four-letter code, assigned association of american railroads, applied equipment operating on north american railroads identify owner
rerail frog or rerailer


a rerail frog or rerailer


a metal casting slotted on rail near wheel of derailed train car. engine pushes or pulls car derailed wheel runs rerailer , onto track.
retarder
a device installed in classification yard used reduce speed of freight cars sorted consists
reverser or reverser handle
the handle controls directional control on locomotive. see cut off.
ribbon rail
continuously welded rail
right-side failure
a failure in signalling or other safety critical system leaves system in safe condition
roadrailer
a highway trailer, or semi-trailer, specially equipped direct use on railroad
rolling stock
in uk parlance, railway vehicle not capable of moving under own power
in parlance, railroad car or locomotive
rookie
see trainee.
rotary
short rotary snowplow, extreme-duty railroad snowplow used in mountain ranges of american west
roundhouse


a roundhouse , turntable, viewed above


a circular or semi-circular structure used storage , running maintenance of locomotives
route selector panel, punch box, or train-identification pushbuttons (new york city subway)
a box or panel adjacent rail line @ interlocking, several buttons train operators select desired route, either communicated signal tower operator fulfills request, or switched automatically
ruling gradient
the longest or steepest grade on division, setting standard track speeds, locomotive tonnage ratings, , train handling instructions
runaway
a heavy train has lost speed control while descending steep grade, due either brake failure or poor preparation crew
running track
an other-than-main track, typically providing access yard or industry , governed requirements of restricted speed
run-round


platform track , run-round loop @ toyooka station, hyogo, japan, terminus of line miyazu


the practice of detaching locomotive train, driving other end of train , re-attaching it, allow train proceed in direction has come (e.g. when reaches destination , forms service in other direction).
run-through power
locomotives remain attached manifest or unit train home rails on tracks of receiving railroad until train reaches final destination




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