RailRoad Terms and sayings ?

I know that there are alot of people here that know alot of stuff so I am going to ask if someone can help me understand what some terms and sayings mean . first one is "High Iron" I have heard this term used by a few people arround here ( like brad from 3dtrainstuff for one but I have heard a few other people use it as well ) and I always wanted to know what that means . and number two is "Shunting " now this one I have heard and I think it means switching but I don't want to look like an Idiot when talking to someone .
and the last one is "Hot Box" I am clueless as to what this means so thanks for any help I am sorry if I sound like an Idiot but untill I found this board I never used to care about this I just used to watch train but now I am .Thanks for any help .
My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

If everything tastes like Chicken then what does Chicken taste like ?

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RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, andrewpickell, May-31-03, 11:16 PM, (1) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, May-31-03, 11:29 PM, (2) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Paul1953, Jun-01-03, 01:05 AM, (3) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, sniper297, Jun-01-03, 01:13 AM, (4) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Paul1953, Jun-01-03, 01:20 AM, (5) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-01-03, 01:33 AM, (6) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, cyberjim2, Jun-01-03, 03:24 AM, (7) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-01-03, 04:02 AM, (8) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, ssw_96, Jun-01-03, 08:37 AM, (9) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, GMOF3A, Jun-01-03, 09:42 AM, (10) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, andrewpickell, Jun-01-03, 03:12 PM, (15) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Hovertrain, Jun-07-03, 11:57 AM, (50) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Coonskin, Jun-01-03, 10:01 AM, (11) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Hovertrain, Jun-07-03, 12:00 PM, (52) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, CGW409, Jun-01-03, 11:48 AM, (12) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, CPR_9102, Jun-01-03, 12:00 PM, (13) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, TomBeevers2000, Jun-02-03, 02:51 AM, (27) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, andrewpickell, Jun-01-03, 03:09 PM, (14) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-01-03, 05:53 PM, (16) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Magick_maker, Jun-01-03, 05:55 PM, (17) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-01-03, 06:31 PM, (18) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, railnut, Jun-01-03, 08:15 PM, (19) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, jlucero4, Jun-01-03, 09:17 PM, (20) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, sniper297, Jun-01-03, 09:48 PM, (21) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Magick_maker, Jun-01-03, 10:16 PM, (22) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, andrewpickell, Jun-02-03, 02:58 AM, (28) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, dispatcher618, Jun-01-03, 10:39 PM, (23) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Hovertrain, Jun-07-03, 12:04 PM, (53) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, dispatcher618, Jun-01-03, 10:51 PM, (24) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, WestSlopeRRfan, Jun-01-03, 11:45 PM, (25) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-02-03, 02:41 AM, (26) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, aeroflot, Jun-02-03, 01:11 PM, (29) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-02-03, 03:03 PM, (30) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, John 136 6000 GO, Jun-03-03, 09:21 AM, (31) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, calr, Jun-03-03, 12:15 PM, (32) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Hovertrain, Jun-07-03, 12:11 PM, (54) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, erniep, Jun-03-03, 03:16 PM, (33) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-03-03, 06:47 PM, (34) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, xlspecial261, Jun-03-03, 08:21 PM, (35) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, ssw, Jun-03-03, 11:35 PM, (38) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, FireDragonLightning, Jun-03-03, 08:27 PM, (36) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, WestSlopeRRfan, Jun-03-03, 11:06 PM, (37) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-03-03, 11:35 PM, (39) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, WestSlopeRRfan, Jun-04-03, 00:07 AM, (40) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-04-03, 00:17 AM, (41) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, sniper297, Jun-04-03, 09:18 AM, (42) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, MSG Redleg, Jun-04-03, 02:46 PM, (43) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, BlakeTyner, Jun-04-03, 02:52 PM, (44) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, CP_5731, Jun-06-03, 10:26 PM, (46) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, kinnamon, Jun-06-03, 07:01 PM, (45) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Railbug, Jun-07-03, 00:59 AM, (47) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-07-03, 01:17 AM, (48) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Magick_maker, Jun-07-03, 11:50 AM, (49) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, smp11512, Jun-07-03, 11:59 AM, (51) RE: RailRoad Terms and sayings ?, Hovertrain, Jun-07-03, 12:15 PM, (55)

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From my Glossary of Railway Language (an actual textbook in my program)Shunt: to marshal cars in a certain order to form a trainHotbox: where a journal of a wheel of any rolling stock has run hot due to lack of lubrication or internal defect- Andrew

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Thanks My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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High Iron-slang for rail(s)Paul Watson

" I hear my train a-comin'"
Jimi Hendrix

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Some of it is regional, Americans say "switching", Brits say "Shunting". You can learn a lot of British railroad terms from watching Thomas the Tank Engine."High Iron" = First Class railroad, as opposed to branch, belt, and feeder lines, also means the mainline as opposed to yard and industrial switching district. Somewhere you can "highball", go real fast."Varnish" = first class passenger train, named for all the varnished wood in the coaches.

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That, too...Heehee!Paul Watson

" I hear my train a-comin'"
Jimi Hendrix

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Thanks I never would have guessed about "varnish" My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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I wanted to add that most Class 1 RR's have whats called a "HotBox Detector". A heat sensor placed close to the tracks at axle level to detect overheated axle roller bearings on all passing engines and cars. If a "Hotbox" is detected, the dispatcher will direct the conductor to drop the car with overheated bearings at the next available siding and continue on to its destination--or the dispatcher will slow order the whole train if no siding is within reasonable distance, meaning the train will be restricted to speeds of 10 to 20 mph depending on how hot a temperature the detector read on the car with the "Hotbox". Upon passing the next "Hotbox Detector", if the bearing on slow order car has cooled down enough, the speed restriction may be raised some to keep from clogging up traffic in both directions. I have a video somewhere of a "Hotbox detection showing a UP crew setting out a TTX flat with 2 trailers on a siding and continuing on leaving it on a siding for MOW-"Maintenance of Way" to drive out with repair crew and either replace or repair the faulty bearing. The bearings can get hot enough to start sparking and catching grass on fire especially in hot,dry, summer months. Jim

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-01-03 AT 04:05 AM (EDT)

Thanks alot . When I met some engineer's on an intermodal train and I was in the cab they said they had to drop a " hot " ttx car off in Rosamond My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Bend the Iron= To throw the switch.

member of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SP_MSTS

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hehehe..TRAIN: An engine or engines, with or without cars, displaying markers.That's the oldest rule defination I can remember learning..and that in the '70's...and this has absolutly nothing to do with the original post...lol.

Paul...
www.mstsgmo.com

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>hehehe..TRAIN: An engine or engines, with or without cars,
>displaying markers.
>
>That's the oldest rule defination I can remember
>learning..and that in the '70's...and this has absolutly
>nothing to do with the original post...lol. Still valid today hehehe...Engine: A unit operated by any form of energy, or a combination of such units operated from a single control, used in train or yard service. - Andrew

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>hehehe..TRAIN: An engine or engines, with or without cars,
>displaying markers.TRAIN: to teach. An air conditioning unit from Sears. oh wait, thats Trane. never mind

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-01-03 AT 10:03 AM (EDT)

When switching via radio:"Pin" = Give me some slack so the uncoupler will function. "Air" = I'm stepping between the cars to hook air hoses, please don't run over me."That'll do" = Anytime you get them stopped will be fine."3 cars to a joint" = Appoximately three 50' car lengths (used to be 40') to a coupling. Followed by "2", "1", "half car", "pole length" (or whatever is local slang), "that'll do"."Big Hole 'em!" = Dump the air via "Emergency" setting. You hope you don't have to use this one, but to sometimes avoid running over an auto being driven by a moron, you have to.Etc.Andre Ming

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>but to sometimes avoid running over an auto being driven by a moron.Especially a little guy in a little car with a big mouth

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Hey all
brain box,crummy,hack are a couple for caboose
some railroads refered to diesel locos as motorsGary S

"Some say this country's just out for a fight. After 9/11 man I'd have to say thats right"
"Have You Forgotten"
Darryl Worley

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We got ots of crap here:Frog-switch
Money Train=hot train
All the crews got names too
Digger, Ollie, To tall, Eight ball, Rev, Ranger, Wiener, and others...Chris Wilson
Marathon, Northwestern Ontario
MP 63 CP's Heron Bay Sub.
Rolling Stock for you!

http://groups.msn.com/lakesuperior

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You wouldn't learn British railroad terms, you'd learn British *railway* terms.

--
Tom Beevers
http://brj.rr.nu

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The amount of slang and regional variations in railroad languages is amazing. It is quite interesting to read all these posts. Here are some of the more interesting ones from my glossary. Anyone want to take a shot at these? AlleyAnchor CarGoatGripMilk TrainShoo FlySqueelerOh yeah...a frog is part of a TURNOUT...and is not a switch...in fact a switch is even part of a TURNOUT.
(Sorry a small pet peeve of mine )- Andrew

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I couldn't even guess at those but thanks guys for all the input My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Another name for a caboose is a suicide box. They got this name because of the danger involved for crew members when a locomotive (steam, diesel, or even other) would be tacked on behind to push. Older cars might crush. Pensy kinda solved this by putting collision bars (big I beams) on the ends of their cabooses to prevent them from being squished by the powerful locomotives.Other railroads would often tack the engine before the caboose. Makes for interesting running.Dead Head: Running a locomotive between stations or engine terminals without cars, or any crew member who rides without having to payMud Buggers: Local slang for a railroad crew forced to work the kaolin mines. So called because of the cargo of mud (literally) that the cars carry.

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I wondered what Dead Head ment but I forgot to ask My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Dead-heading is hooking a free ride on a train back to your home destination or to anywhere for that fact. While I'm at it: Caboose = buggy Shiny Iron = main line

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> Dead-heading is hooking a free ride on a train back to your
>home destination or to anywhere for that fact. It doesn't have to be a train. Often it's a van that's used to dead-head crews to their destination.Jordan

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Somebody in-the-know oughtta post British-American translations, like "Brake Van" = caboose.Hmm, lessee, I could probably do some of these;AlleyAnchor CarGoat = yard switcherGripMilk Train = an easy run, no headachesShoo Fly = temporary track built around track under construction or repair.Squeeler - I'm gonna guess, dry bearing?BTW, "Hogger" is an engineer, a "Boomer" was a train crewman that moved from one railroad to another, usually chasing the boom times (hence the name) so he could get more work hours. When slack times came along and only the guys with high seniority were getting runs, and everyone else was sitting idle and haunting the call board, the boomer would move on to another road that was having boom times and hiring.

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HUMP: Literally, a rise used to switch cars in major yards. Usually accompanied with a retarder. Some cars can't go over humps though, so look for "DO NOT HUMP" in big letters on the cars. (usually tank cars)POOL POWER: This is a funny one. Pool power can be just about anything, but usually it's a locomotive from another company. Railroads often use these engines to supplement their own power. Naturally, they must maintain them.Bending the iron: This actually refers to the old switches where railroad men literally bent the iron to make the switches change track. These switches are often called Stub switches.

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Not to bad Sniper...obviously the God of Coconuts knows his slang Here are the ones you missedAlley = A clear track, usually in a yard Anchor Car = A car coupled to a bad order care to prevent the bad order car from moving Grip = The term used for carry-on luggage by a train crew >Milk Train = an easy run, no headaches Close...a slow train- Andrew

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I always understood deadhead to mean any non-revenue train. This could include a consist of all empties. And yes, I have been a deadhead crew member quite a few times."Running Light" or "Light Engine" is usually more appropriate for an engine (or multiple units) running without any cars at all. Then there's the Caboose Hop, which sometimes happens where I work, when we run an engine and caboose out, usually to pick up cars somewhere along the way.

- DISPATCHER 618

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>Another name for a caboose is a suicide box. They got this
>name because of the danger involved for crew members when a
>locomotive (steam, diesel, or even other) would be tacked on
>behind to push. Older cars might crush.For those of you who have seen the movie "Atomic Train", the caboose gets all scrunched at the end, detaches and falls down a 10 foot ravine towards a lake because of a helper locomotive going too fast

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A goat is a yard switcher, especially back in the days of steam. HVRR will be picking up an 0-6-0 goat within the next month or so. Road engines were Hogs, thus making engineer's "Hoggers", if I'm not mistaken.

- DISPATCHER 618

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Here are some moreHoghead
Engineers. Its along the same lines as "hoggers." Its slang within slang.Grocery Train
Multiple customers within the same train and several stops along the way. Where I'm from they run a "grocery train" to the coal mines. Its a unit train, but it stops at several mines along the way. It then gets divided up at a later terminal."z" train
Hot train that gets priority over general frieghtHole, or going in the hole
Side track on a single track line which permits another train to pass. Put it on the ground
Derail Frog
The "X" shaped plate of a cross-over rail; also an implement to rerail car wheels. Nick

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-02-03 AT 02:56 AM (EDT)

I am going to put these together and print them out and maybe upload to the library ( giving everyone Credit of course ) would that be ok ??? My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

If everything tastes like Chicken then what does Chicken taste like ?

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Heard these ones in Bulgaria, where I come from. Even it is translated, you gotta love it:Bitch - Brake shoe (the shoe that is put on the rails to secure a loose consist or a single wagon from rolling away)Hand crusher - a russian autocoupler (lot of arms broken or squashed off during incidends when trying to uncouple such wagons)

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Ha Ha I can hear them now "we got a Bitch under both the back wheels and an anchor on the front" My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

If everything tastes like Chicken then what does Chicken taste like ?

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"Bitch - Brake shoe (the shoe that is put on the rails to secure a loose consist or a single wagon from rolling away)"I think that probably translates into English better as "chock". I don't know if that term is used on railways or railroads, but it's a common term in other contexts for a block of something or other placed under a wheel to prevent it rolling.Would that be related to the English railway term "scotch" or "scotching" - I've seen this used in the context of placing something to prevent loose cars from rolling (they hoped - not always sucessful).cheers, what a wonderful thread.John

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Then there's the CRUMMY. They're not used anymore and you see them in the oddest of places used as motel rooms, antique shops, restaurants (small), etc. I am referring to the CABOOSE.Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, OR
cal.rasmussen@verizon.netColumbia Gorge Route (Phase 1 track completed, 60% scenery, learning 3D Canvas)

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I was at a McDonald's over, I think, in Port Huron. It was a normal restuarant except there were no seats. You instead, go up this ramp into a silver colored passenger car attached into the side of the building. It seated I would guess about 30 people. It was cool.

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A few more railway termsKICKING CARS = uncoupling a car or cars whilst moving, letting them roll into another track on their own momentum. Used alot in marshalling yards.KICKER = a car that has a problem in the air brake control valve. When the engineer tries to make a normal brake reduction, the "kicker" goes into emergency, causing the whole train to do the same. Usually an awful time trying to locate it in a train, usually checking 10 or 20 cars at a time until it's located. Cured by manually cutting out (making inoperative) the air brakes on that car.OILER = A carman (the people who keep the rolling stock repaired) who, in the days before roller bearings, walked a train with a can of oil, filling the journal box on each axle with lube oil. (see hotbox) A term dear to my heart...
SNAKE = Switchman cheers,
Ernie

It's good to be a snake in the grass...

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Dang you guys know alot My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Dynamiter-Same as a kicker
Big Hole-Put train in emergency
Highball-Ok to depart
Gimme the pin-Bunch the slack so the snake can uncouple the cars.
Irish eyes-Clear signals
Double bubble-Approach diverging indication
dirty wheels-derailed
burner-locomotive
tow in-time after you die on the hours
dead crew-crew who's hours of service is up (12 hours)
command module-caboose
dummy in the crummy-conductor
Todd

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Gee, never heard the "Dummy in the Crummy" before.... Kinda funny, actually. Shoo fly, don't bother me, shoo fly...............(sorry....)

Bradley Linda
Waco, Texas

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I'll take a guess:
Shoo Fly: Fast trainSqueeler: A car with screeching wheels when the brakes are applied.Jay http://www.freewebs.com/peterbiltsrule Site now with new Message Board!

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-03-03 AT 11:08 PM (EDT)

Shoo Fly: Fast trainShoo-fly
Temporary track laid around an obstruction while the primary track is under repair or being replaced. They lay them around derailments or other mishaps along the right-of-way.Nick

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Ok this is gonna make me look like a total idiot but what is a turnout exactly ?My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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>>Ok this is gonna make me look like a total idiot but what is a turnout exactly ? Its easier than you think.Turnout
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 railroad switch.Nick

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Thanks My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Funny, I thought only model railroaders referred to switches as "turnouts", to avoid confusion with the other "switch" used a lot on model layouts, namely all them little electrical toggle switches used for block control.One often confused term in American:A dead end siding with only one way in or out is a "spur", not a siding.
Siding = "passing siding", British term "passing loop", don't qualify as a siding unless there's a switch at both ends.American "loop" = track that goes in a circle for continuous round-and-round running, most famous being the Chicago Elevated Loop, actually a 1/4 mile square with real sharp radius curves at the corners. Downtown Chicago is generally referred to as "The Loop" for this landmark.http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/Chicago/CTA/Loop/American "reverse loop", "return loop" or "baloon track", a single turnout with the track going from the straight ahead track around in a big circle, coming back to the curved part of the turnout for reversing direction.
Wye = British "Triangle", three switches connected by a triangle of track, also used to reverse the direction of the engine or train, turn left at base switch pull ahead of left switch and stop, throw switch behind, back up beyond right switch, throw left, pull ahead again now facing opposite direction.Turntables required a lot less real estate but a lot more maintenance, baloon tracks use the most land area but have the advantage of not having to stop and back up.Turntables in MSTS 1 don't work, and baloon tracks facing toward each other allowing a continuous run usually throw MSTS into a conniption fit. Fictional switching routes like the PO&N consequently have a lot of wyes.

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What does the "F" stand for in the term "FRED" ??
Flashing ???? rear end devise ??

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Yup. Flashing Rear End Device.Also known as EOT or End of Train device.Blake Harris
Engineer/fireman, Jefferson and Cypress Bayou Railroad

Vice Dean, Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies

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Or fu**ed up Rear End Device. Hunting - When a diesel engine goes not maintain a constant engine speed (rpm) for a given throttle position.Isolated or Off the line - A locomotive which is idling and which does not respond to the throttle because the isolation switch is in the START or IDLE position.Jumper Cable - The control cable witch is the electrical connection between locomotives, permitting multiple-unit (MU) operation.Load - A term used to describe the electrical output of the main generator.Partial Load - The electrical output of main generator when it fails to develop the full output for a given throttle position.Trainlined - A term used to describe electrical circuits or air systems that extend through the entire locomotive consist.Ryan
Revelstoke, Bc
(Mile 125.7 CPR Mountain Subdivision)

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"Jack" = locomotive"Jack-Off" = uncoupling a locomotive from train or another locomotive.Yes, this is used down here in South Georgia--CSX, for example. The railroaders on the HOG (Heart of Georgia) use it. This is the freight railroad over whose tracks our excursion train operates. http://www.hograil.com
http://www.samshortline.com Lee

Lee Kinnamon

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Here's some that I don't remember seeing in this thread:Boomer - Railroad worker who wanders from one road to anotherCar Toad - Car inspectorGandy Dancer - Track workerTimber gang - Track maintenance crewThank you ma'am - Bump in the track
Harold

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Ok heres one more . Last month we were up in Tehachapi and the UPS TOFC ( Trailer On Flatcar ) train broke down right after going over the loop and we heard on the radio that they were having UED problems does anyone know what the Problem was pr what UED means ? ( maybe a hotbox or something ) But the counductor had to walk the train and then they stayed there for about an hour and they Highballed it ( and I know they weren't waiting for another train because this is a top priority train in Tehachapi and and it held up 9 other trains along with it) .My website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

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Ok, lemme relate some terms I remember hearing a few years ago when I worked for Fieldale.Gorrila riding a coconut: Engineer of the Trackmobile unit. (I hated this)Paws on the ground: Derail the locomotive.Pick up sticks: Any number of cars that have derailed.Dragging: This could be one of two things. Either a car's brakes have gotten stuck and it drags as the engine pulls, or the crew is too lazy to unlock all the brakes. (yes. they will move if you pull hard enough.)Gone on the lam: Also called "going union". Means when the engine crew takes a break and doesn't come back for 15 minutes or so.Idiot Box: FRED or EOT.Head cutter: Cable used to winch cars. So called because if it snapped, it'd decapitate anyone in the way.Bump and Jump: Raising rail wheels and driving to another siding on road tires. So called because you bumped around over the rails.Kicking: Pushing any car down a grade into the yard.Snagged: A car caught by the retarder.Retard: The idiot who decided to install the retarder.Talk to God: Having to call the NS dispatch to get permission to go onto the mainline for anything.Example:
Dispatch: "Tm 2, have you found that string yet?"
TM 2: "Yeah. They're at plant one."
Dispatch: "Crap. Lemme talk to god and see if he'll let you
sneak onto the main with them."Rust Bucket: Engine #1. An old sw that was badly in need of work.

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>Retard: The idiot who decided to install the retarderLOLMy website for MSTS Pic's www.msnusers.com/shanestrains

If everything tastes like Chicken then what does Chicken taste like ?

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Some rooms at my High school could be called "idiot boxes"

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