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Glossary of Train Speak

TERM DEFINITION SOURCE
A
accredited rail organisation A rail organisation accredited consistent with AS4292 by an Accreditation Authority to be a track manager, train operator or provider of rolling stock. AS4292, Rail Safety Legislation
alignment Alignment of track, referred to as horizontal or vertical alignment. Horizontal alignment is the design horizontal alignment of track (i.e. straights, curves, etc.), vertical alignment is the design vertical alignment of track (gradients and vertical curves).
Australian Rail Safety Standards (AS4292) The principles and standards prepared, approved and published by the Standards Association of Australia relating to railway safety management. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
axle load The weight force exerted on the rails by the two wheels on any axle of a vehicle when stationary on level track. AS7508
B
ballast Stone or aggregate material spread on the ground for the purpose of holding the track in line laterally and longitudinally and also to provide drainage. ballast depth: Distance from the formation to the base of the sleeper measured below the lowest rail seat. For steel sleepers the base of the sleeper is considered to be the sleeper toe. ballast resistance: The resistance offered by the ballast, sleepers, etc., to the flow of leakage current from one rail of a track circuit to the other. ballast shoulder: The ballast each side of the railway track. ballast shoulder height: Height of the shoulder ballast above the sleeper base as measured at the end of the sleeper. ballast shoulder width: Width of the shoulder ballast as measured from the sleeper end. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'. RailCorp ESG 007 - ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Ver. 1, 2008.
bogie A structure incorporating suspension elements and fitted with wheels and axles, used to support rail vehicles at or near the ends and capable of rotation in the horizontal plane. It may have one, two or more axle sets, and may be the common support of adjacent units of an articulated vehicle. (The bogie is commonly referred to as a 'truck' in AAR terminology.) COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
buckle (track) A substantial displacement of track from its original design alignment caused by longitudinal thermal stresses overcoming the lateral resistance of the track. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
C
cant The height difference, at a common location, between the running surface of both rails. Also known as 'superelevation' or 'cross level'. On curves in main line track it is usual to incline the track such that the outer rail in the curve is higher than the inside rail. The amount of inclination applied to the track is defined by the difference in height between the inner and outer rail, and this height difference is the 'cant' of the curve, often referred to the 'applied cant'. The purpose of the applied cant is to allow train to negotiate the curve at higher speeds whilst reducing the risk of rollover and reducing discomfort to passengers. In a similar fashion to a motorcyclist leaning into a curve, the inward applied cant of the track counteracts the outward centrifugal force on the train. The amount of applied cant to the track is a compromise. A train travelling at the permitted line speed would benefit from a higher amount of applied cant to counteract its higher centrifugal force as a result of its higher speed. However, a train that is slow moving, or even stopped, on the curve requires little applied cant. Therefore, the amount of applied cant on a curve is usually between these two requirements. Therefore: 1. A train travelling at an intermediate speed such that the outward centrifugal force is exactly balanced by the effect of the inward applied cant is said to be at 'balance speed' or 'equilibrium cant'. In this situation there is no net lateral force on the train as the forces inwards and outwards on the curve are balanced. 2. A train travelling at line speed such that the outward centrifugal force is greater than the effect of the inward applied cant is said to be at 'cant deficiency'. In this situation there is a net lateral force on the train towards the outside of the curve. 3. A train travelling slowly or stopped such that the outward centrifugal force is less the effect of the inward applied cant is said to be at 'cant excess'. In this situation there is a net lateral force on the train towards the inside of the curve. Note that the term 'cant imbalance' indicates a net lateral force on the train that could be towards the outside of the curve ('cant deficiency') or towards the inside of the curve ('cant excess'). Generally, the term 'cant' or 'superelevation' is used for intended height difference in the rails (i.e. where the track is inclined in a curve), and the term 'cross-level' is used for unintended height difference (i.e. due to track irregularity). AS7509
CCTV Abbreviated term for ‘closed circuit television’. UK Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Issue One, April 2004.
coupler The mechanism for joining two rail vehicles together. coupler carrier: The horizontal bracket on the headstock of the rolling stock which supports the coupler shank. coupler head shelf: A horizontal ledge which is part of the coupler head which limits the relative vertical movement between the couplers. coupler height: The height measured from the top of rail to the centre of the knuckle of an automatic coupler or to the horizontal centre line of the shank of a drawbar. coupler lighting: Lighting of inter-vehicle coupling equipment. AS7524 AS7531
crossing loop A length of track connected to the main line by switches at both ends to provide a facility that permits trains to both cross and pass each other. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'. (re-worded)
curve A track with a continuous change in direction of alignment by means of an arc. circular curve: a curve of constant radius. compound curve: A curve comprising two or more differing radii but in the same direction. reverse curve: A curve comprising successive and closely spaced curves in opposite directions. It is usual to connect reverse curves with a straight. simple curve: A curve with single radius connecting two straight lengths. transition curve: A curve of uniformly varying radii used to connect straight and curved tracks or curves of different radii.
D
dangerous goods Goods that are defined as dangerous in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. AS7524.2
derailer A specially shaped block placed over one rail of a siding to protect main line traffic from any runaway vehicles or unauthorised moves. This protection is achieved by derailing any locomotive or wagon that comes in contact with the derail. In some terminals derails are also used to prevent unauthorised entry into sidings. Alternative device to protect vehicles rolling away onto the main line: catch point. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
derailment An incident in which one or more wheelsets run off the track. AS7519 AS7520
E
emergency brake application Maximum brake application made when a train must be stopped in the minimum distance possible, initiated by the driver or other crew member, or by a fault in the brake system such as rupture to the brake pipe, air hoses becoming disconnected, etc.
F
fail-safe The capability of an item or a system to ensure that any failure in a predictable or specified mode will result only in that item or system reaching and remaining in a safe condition. AS 4292.4-2006, CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
fishplates, junction Fishplates designed to provide connection and support to rails of different sections. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
fishplates, weld repair Fishplates designed to provide clearance at rail welds. These fish plates are utilised at defective or suspect welds to provide rail joining in the event of a weld failure. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
flange Term could refer to either: 1. rail flange: The base or foot of the rail; or 2. wheel flange: The larger, inner part of the train's wheel. It is used as a means of the guidance of the train and keeping it on the track.
formation The full width of the top of embankments or the bottom of cuttings upon which the track is constructed. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
G
gantry A signal structure spanning one or more tracks and having two or more points of support. UK Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Issue One, April 2004.
gauge (track) The distance between the inside running (or gauge) faces of the two rails, measured between points 16 mm below the top of the rail heads. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
grade The rate of slope of the surface of the track in the direction of its length. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
high-rail vehicle A vehicle that is capable of running on both road and rail. Often these are standard road vehicles that have a pair of flanged rail wheels on the front and rear. Generally the vehicle accesses the rail via a level crossing, lowers the rail wheels onto the rails which will guide the vehicle without the need to steer, and is propelled by the road wheels that are in contact with the rails. High-rail equipment is fitted to inspection, personnel carrying vehicles and some track construction and maintenance machines. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
human factors The scientific discipline that is concerned with the application of information about human characteristics, capacities, and limitations to the design of human tasks, machines, machine systems, and environments. AS 4292.1-2006
I
intermodal traffic Freight moving via at least two different modes of transport, eg rail to road, rail to sea etc. Used to describe freight in modules which can be transported by more than one mode (rail, road, sea or air). The usual form of intermodal freight is containerised freight, which has proven to be the most convenient to transfer between modes. Because of this the terms intermodal and containerised are often interchanged. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
J
joint (rail) The location where two rails or trackwork components are connected. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
junction signal A signal protecting facing points over which more than one main route is available. In colour light signalled areas, the term junction signal also applies where there are facing points ahead of the signal and the straight-ahead route is not a main signalled route, although it might appear to a driver to be an available route. UK Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Issue One, April 2004.
L
level crossing A location where the railway line and a road or pedestrian walkway cross paths on the same level. open level crossing: A public level crossing which provides unrestricted access for vehicles and pedestrians to cross the line and which is protected only by warning signs. private level crossing: A level crossing which provides access for vehicles and pedestrians to cross the line to private property and which is protected by swing gates or cattle grids. RISSB ANRP Glossary Stage 1 Version 1.0 3 March 2009. RailCorp ESG 007 - ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Ver. 1, 2008.
line haul The term used to describe the movement of trains outside of terminals and yards with shunting employees. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
livery Rolling stock exterior colour scheme and markings. AS7531
locomotive Self-propelled, non-passenger-carrying railway vehicles used for hauling or propelling other (typically freight or passenger) rolling stock. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
M
main line The line normally used for running trains through and between locations. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
manifest A complete list of the units (containers) being carried by a service on a given date, itemised by the wagons on which they are being carried. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
minor derailment Rolling stock derailed for less than sixty (60) metres and less than sixteen (16) kilometres per hour. AS7516
N
narrow gauge The track gauge of 1067mm (3’ 6”). CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
P
passing loop A passing loop is a section of track that runs parallel and connected at both ends to the main line. This allows, for example, two trains in oposite directions to cross each other, or a faster train to pass and overtake a slower one that is waiting in the loop. Passing loops are generally used on lines with only one track, and allows for increased running capabilities and minimalised running times. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
plate A steel plate fitted between the rail and sleeper or timber to spread the load on the sleeper. Plates may be double shoulder, clip fastening, taper, level or cant to suit requirements, see below: clip fastening: A rail support plate designed for resilient fastenings.double shoulder: A rail support plate designed with a shoulder on each side of the rail foot which is normally used with dogspikes. graduated cant plate: A plate under the rail which changes rail cant from 1:20 on open track to zero cant at crossing work over 3 adjacent timbers. They are marked A (1:30), B (1:40) or C (1:80) to indicate the cant. rail base plate: A rail support plate between the rail and bearer at crossingwork. The plate may be level or taper. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
points A set of points permits rail traffic to change from one track to another. Points are normally referred to as left or right hand denoting the turnout direction as viewed from the toe end.
points and crossings Track structures which provide for one track to join or cross another. AS 4292.2-2006
R
rail The rolled steel section used to guide wheelsets of rolling stock. The most common rails are Tee head which is the Australian Standard. Rail is described by weight per unit length, i.e. kilograms/metre (kg/m) commonly reduced to kg and pounds per yard (lb/yd) commonly reduced to lb. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
rail safety worker A person performing or responsible for safety- related work, be that person a paid member of the staff of the railway, a contractor, subcontractor or an employee of either, or a volunteer. AS 4292.1-2006
rolling stock Any vehicle that operates on, or intends to operate on, or uses a railway track, including any loading on such a vehicle, but excluding a vehicle designed for both on- and off-track use when not operating on the track. Rolling stock is a collective term for a large range of rail vehicles of various types, including locomotives, freight wagons, passenger cars, track machines and road-rail vehicles. AS7501 AS7507
S
shunt 1. Operations: The movement of trains or rail vehicles for the purpose of marshalling trains or altering their consist. 2. Electrical: A by-path introduced into an electric circuit. 3. Route class: A Route used for low-speed non- passenger movements. 1. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'. 2. RailCorp ESG 007 - ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Ver. 1, 2008. 3. UK Railway Group Guidance Note GK/GN0802 ‘Glossary of Signalling Terms’, Issue One, April 2004.
slot The freight carrying space on a wagon required to carry a standard 6.1 metre (20 foot) container. Wagon sizes and train capacities are typically referred to in ‘slots’ or ‘teus’ (twenty-foot equivalent units). CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
T
thermit (weld) A trade name for an aluminothermic weld. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
track The combination of rails, rail connectors, sleepers, ballast, points, and crossings, and substitute devices where used. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
track circuit An electric circuit that uses the rails of a railway as conductors such that a train electrically connects them via its axles. The absence or presence of this rail-to -rail connection indicates the absence or presence of a train or item of rolling stock. AS7505
track defects Defects in the track which have the potential to cause derailment unless a speed restriction is imposed, as follows: (a) track defects involving horizontal alignment; (b) track defects involving vertical alignment; (c) broken rail; (d) other track defects. AS 4292.1, CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
track gauge The distance between the gauge points of the rails. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
track geometry The horizontal and vertical alignment, cross-level and cant of the track. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
track safety awareness Training in the risks present and safety measures necessary when a person is on or near track. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
train A single unit of rollingstock or two or more units coupled together, at least one of which is a locomotive or other self propelled unit. AS 4292.1-2006, COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology', AS7501.
turnout A combination of a set of points, V crossing and guard rails which permits traffic to turnout from one track to another. CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
W
wagon Used when describing or referring to rail vehicles of a specific type or group, e.g. freight wagons, service wagons, box wagons, tank wagons, flat wagons. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
Y
yard 1. A system of track within defined limits. (NSW) 2. A system of tracks not designated as part of the defined interstate rail network used for loading or unloading trains or for other purposes. (ARTC) CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
yard limits A portion of the running lines identified by yard limit signs marking the entrance to the yard or movement within the yard. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.
yards and terminals A system of tracks not designated as part of the defined interstate rail network used for loading or unloading trains or for other purposes. COP DIRN Volume 2 'Glossary' and CMC 'Glossary for NCOP and Dictionary of Railway Terminology'.