Railroad carA railroad car, railcar (American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truck, is a vehicle used for the carrying of cargo or passengers on a rail transport network (a railroad/railway). Such cars, when coupled together and hauled by one or more locomotives, form a train.
CupolaIn architecture, a cupola ( ) is a relatively small, usually dome-like structure on top of a building often crowning a larger roof or dome. Cupolas often serve as a roof lantern to admit light and air or as a lookout. The word derives, via Italian, from lower Latin cupula (classical Latin cupella), from Ancient Greek (kúpellon)'small cup' (Latin cupa), indicating a vault resembling an upside-down cup. The cylindrical drum underneath a larger cupola is called a tholobate.
Conductor (train crew)A conductor, guard (British English), or travelling ticket examiner (Indian English), is a member of a train crew responsible for operational and safety duties. The role is common worldwide under various job titles, although on many railroads, the role has been discontinued.
Freight trainA freight train, goods train, or cargo train, is a railway train that is used to carry cargo, as opposed to passengers. Freight trains are made up of one or more locomotives which provide propulsion, along with one or more railroad cars (also known as wagons) which carry freight.
Brakeman's cabinA brakeman's cabin (also brakeman's cab) or brakeman's caboose (US) (German: Bremserhaus) was a small one-person compartment at one end of a railway wagon to provide shelter for the brakeman from the weather and in which equipment for manually operating the wagon brake was located. They were built in the days before continuous braking was available, and the locomotive brake needed to be augmented by brakemen applying the wagon brakes individually.
Bay windowA bay window is a window space projecting outward from the main walls of a building and forming a bay in a room. A bow window is a form of bay with a curve rather than angular facets; an oriel window is a bay window that does not touch the ground. A window may be all three: projecting outward from the main fascia of a wall, curved in shape, and not reaching the ground.
Hot box (rail)A hot box is the term used when an axle bearing overheats on a piece of railwayrolling stock. The term is derived from the journal-bearingtrucks used before the mid-20th century. The axle bearings were housed in a box that used oil-soaked rags or cotton (collectively called "packing") to reduce the friction of the axle against the truck frame.Shunting (rail)Shunting, in railway operations, is the process of sorting items of rolling stock into complete trains, or the reverse. In the United States this activity is known as switching. Motive powerMotive power is normally provided by a locomotive known as a shunter locomotive (in the UK) or switcher locomotive (in the US). Most shunter and switchers are now diesel-powered but steam or even electric locomotives have been used.
FlatcarA flatcar (US) (also flat car, or flatbed) is a piece of rolling stock that consists of an open, flat deck mounted on trucks (US) or bogies (UK) at each end. Occasionally, flat cars designed to carry extra heavy or extra large loads are mounted on a pair (or rarely, more) of bogies under each end. The deck of the car can be wood or steel, and the sides of the deck can include pockets for stakes or tie-down points to secure loads.
BoxcarA boxcar is the North American (AAR) and South Australian Railways term for a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is considered one of the most versatile since it can carry most loads. Boxcars have side sliding doors of varying size and operation, and some include end doors and adjustable bulkheads to load very large items.Load shiftingLoad shifting is a dangerous phenomenon in water, air, and ground transportation where cargo shifts in a cargo vehicle. This causes the vehicle to tilt, which causes even more movement of the cargo, and further tilting, thereby creating a positive feedback loop. If not corrected, this will lead to severe tipping or even capsizing. Such a dangerous occurrence is prevented by active load management, avoiding high sea conditions for ships, and proper container/bulkhead design.Railroad switchA railroad switch (AE), turnout, or (set of) points (CE) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. DesignThe parts of a turnout are known by different names in different jurisdictions. The main terms in US and UK usage are shown in the selectable diagrams. In this article, the US term is listed first and UK second, in parentheses.
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