Railway

Terms
 Railway Terms

Track
The combination of rails, rail fasteners, sleepers, ballast,
points, and crossings, and substitute devices where used.
The usual track consists of the two steel rails, secured on
sleepers (or crossties) so as to keep the rails at the correct
distance apart (the gauge) and capable of supporting the
weight of trains.
Track can be constructed on a viaduct – without ballast – or
on ground with formation and ballast.
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Rail
The standard steel-fabricated structure that railroads use to
operate over. Today the structure is known as "T"-rail as it is
formed in roughly an upside-down "T" shape to provide for
maximum support. Once made from standard 39-foot
sections today rails are fabricated in 1/4-mile sections (up to
1,500 feet) and then welded together to form continuous
welded rail (CWR) that is much stronger, reliable, and
cheaper to maintain than jointed rail. Different railway lines
have different requirements for rail performance, such as its
strength, stability, wear resistance and other parameters. A
common form of specification is kg/m, meaning the weight
of a rail per meter of length. The larger the value, the greater
its load bearing capacity.
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Ballast
A layer of material, which usually consists of either crushed
rock, cinders, or gravel that is placed upon a railroad right-of-
way, which holds railroad ties in place and allows for
drainage and runoff
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Railway Sleepers
Railway sleepers can be timber, concrete, or less common,
steel. A railway sleeper is a rectangular-kind support for the
rails in railroad tracks. They're structured perpendicularly to
the rails. As such, they transfer the loads to the subgrade and
track ballast, in addition to holding the rail upright and
maintaining the spacing at the correct gauge.
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Crossover
A track providing a connection between two parallel tracks
using two sets of points. A scissors crossover provides two
connections, one in each direction.

Two turnouts make a crossover.

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Crossing
A situation when two railroad lines cross one another
without the means of switching onto the other track.
Switching allows deviation from one track to another by
means of moving rails – often automatically operated now.
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Pocket Track
An additional track found to the right or left of the main line
that allows for trains to operate more efficiently over a line
whereby they can "pull over" to allow another train to pass.
Can also be called a Siding
.
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Switch
As a noun the term that refers to track equipment that allows
for cars to move, or crossover, from one track to another. The
verb meaning of this term refers to shuffling or moving rail
cars, usually within a yard (also called marshaling).
.
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Viaduct
Long bridge structures that span land areas, usually
constructed of arches and heavy, reinforced concrete.
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Flyover
Also known as an overpass/underpass it allows for two
intersecting railroad lines to cross one another without the
means of a diamond, which would require dispatching and
increase transit times.
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Yard
Usually a large series or groupings of tracks that allows for
either the storage of railroad cars or to be held for a short
time to build future trains.
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Rolling stock
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.
(see LRV)
Railway Terms
 Railway Terms

LRV – Light Rail Vehicle

An electrically powered passenger carrying rail vehicle using

rails embedded in the roadway or using dedicated rail tracks,
or a combination of the two. Modern LRV design
concentrates on low floor construction to make easier access
for passengers. Generally lower speed/axle load than heavy
rail. The trains are often electrified at 750 VDC, 1500VDC, or
AC.
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Bogie
A 4- or 6-wheeled truck used in pairs under long-bodied
railway vehicles. The bogie has a central pivot point which
allows it to turn as the track curves and thus guide the
vehicle into the curve. There are many bogie designs. Good
design is crucial to good riding, although track condition is
also very important in giving a good ride.
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Axle Load
The weight limit applied to trains passing over a line by the
railway civil engineer. It is the limit allowed to be applied to
any one axle on the train. Always the bane of the life of a
rolling stock designer. Axle load refers to the maximum
weight permitted on a single axle. A four-axle vehicle
weighing 60 t (metric tonnes) would have an axle load of
approximately 15 t in theory depending on how the weight
was distributed. In the Philippines, axle loads are 10 t and
below, which is suitable for light rail operations.
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Wheelset
A fixed formation of an axle with two wheels set at the
correct gauge for the track. The wheels are pressed onto the
axle and rotate with it as a unit. It is mounted into the bogie
(or vehicle) frame with axleboxes.
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Catenary
Originally the term used to denote an overhead power line
support wire derived from the curve a suspended wire
naturally assumes under the force of gravity. Now adopted to
mean the whole overhead line system.

A key part of the catenary system includes the return current

path which is generally through the rail back to the
substation.
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Traction Motor
Electric motor used to provide the final drive to a locomotive
or train axle. Used in diesel-electric and electric systems. The
traction motor is mounted close to the axle and transmits
power through a reduction gearbox.
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Wheel Truing Machine/ Wheel Lathe

Machine for reprofiling rolling stock wheels. The surfaces of
wheels become worn over time varying between months and
years depending on the usage and design.

Reprofiling is required to ensure that the ride of the vehicle

continues to be acceptable both from a safety and comfort
point of view. If wheel flanges become too sharp, they can
force point blades apart and cause a derailment. Some
machines are designed to permit reprofiling without
removing the wheels from the vehicle. The lathe is mounted
in the floor of the workshop and the vehicle positioned over
it for work to be carried out.
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Train Driver
Train drivers are in charge of, and responsible for, driving the
trains, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train
speed and all train handling. They may also inspect trains,
report defects and carry out adjustments, shunt rolling stock
in marshalling yards and sidings along the line, and refuel
diesel trains. In some organizations, they may make
announcements and work with on-board staff (including
guards), and routinely exchange information with them using
radio or other communication systems. Team work is
important as they work closely with many rail personnel
including the operations center.
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Railway Signaling
Railway signaling is a system used to direct railway traffic and
keep trains clear of each other at all times.
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Depot
A rail depot is a defined structured space for the
maintenance and stabling of rollingstock. Generally consists
of a storage yard, train cleaning area, inspection, light and
heavy maintenance areas, a laboratory etc. Often includes an
underfloor wheel lathe, spare parts and consumables
storage, and other specialized maintenance equipment.
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Building & Facilities

Building and Facilities includes for example, passenger
stations, their buildings and other equipment; freight rail
terminals; depots; office buildings and other buildings such
as warehouses or anything related to railway operations and
maintenance; facilities includes for example, sub stations for
power supply etc.
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Structures
Aerial structures comprise typically elevated bridges and
viaducts. Buildings and Facilities are a sub set of Structures
but often identified separately for transparency.
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Energy / Power
The supply of the primary energy source for the operation of
the railway. For an electrified railway, the electric power used
to operate the trains and other equipment. This is a
consumption rather than infrastructure specification.
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Operations Planning
Operations planning processes includes: rail and rollingstock
capacity, personnel availability, performance, stations and
contingencies/special events. Discussion of commercial and
energy perspectives is also encouraged to optimize efficiency.
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Stations and Station Operations

Stations are a vital component of the passenger railway
network. Aside from responding to rail travel demand,
stations offer facilities for finding information, buying tickets,
sheltering from the elements and interchange. Stations today
not only benefit the passengers travelling to, from or through
the station; retail and leisure facilities are increasingly making
them destinations in their own right. An attractive station can
enhance the prosperity of an area, creating jobs and serving
as a center for regeneration. For all stations there is an
opportunity not just to invest in an excellent transport hub,
but also to develop the surrounding area.
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Train/ Operations Control

Operation Control System is designed for safe operation and
efficient management of rolling stocks and consists of Total
Traffic Control (TTC) System, Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) System, Telecommunication System, and
Automated Machinery Control System. Operation Control
Center performs “Driving Control” for general operation of
rolling stocks, “Signal/Telecommunication Control” for
customer information, subway signals and
telecommunication systems, “Electrical Power Control” for
stable power supply, and maintenance windows/access. This
is all contained within the Operations Control Center.
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Railway Infrastructure
Railway infrastructure includes railway lines and other
structures, buildings and equipment, together with the
corresponding land, located on railway premises, designed
for the management, passenger or freight transport, and for
the maintenance of the infrastructure manager's property for
these purposes. Railway line is defined as a railroad that has
a start and an end, together with its adjacent strip of land,
and includes line sections (track sections), buildings,
structures and equipment designed to manage rail traffic,
together with their corresponding land.
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Security
Security includes making safe buildings, people (commuters
and employees) against terrorist and other threats such as
natural disasters. In an attempt to balance security and
accessibility, rail companies have taken measured
precautions to help prevent attacks. These include random
searches of passengers and baggage, increased presence of
security officers and bomb-sniffing dogs, increased video
surveillance, removal or hardening of trash cans so they
cannot hide bombs, and encouraging passengers to report
suspicious activity. Rail cargoes often travel alongside
passenger rail. Much of the freight presents little danger to
people living near the tracks, but some does—particularly
certain industrial chemicals.
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Safety
Railway safety is concerned with the protection of life and
property through regulation, management and technology
development of all forms of rail transportation. It is also a
behavioral science of high importance to the railway industry
– through human factors research and application.
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Automatic Fare Collection

An automated fare collection (AFC) system is the collection of
components that automate the ticketing system of a public
transportation network - an automated version of manual
fare collection. An AFC system is usually the basis for
integrated ticketing.
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Automatic train control

The system for automatically controlling train movements
and directing train operations. ATC requires automatic train
operation (ATO) and automatic train protection (ATP)
subsystems and has features which enhance operational
safety, e.g., through the separation of trains by implementing
a conflict free timetable, train detection and interlocking of
routes. ATC allows the automatic control of trains throughout
a railway network, obviating the need for train drivers. The
Docklands Light Railway in London provides a good example
of this type of operation.
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Track Maintenance
Track maintenance is a combination of labor and machine
intervention with track elements . It is required to the
vibrations and constant movement of rollingstock. The
packing under the sleepers (eg ballast) becomes loose and
track geometry can be disturbed. On viaducts also, the
fastenings become loose through the constant vibration. The
track and its components also get worn out as a result of
climatic conditions and impacts such as pollution.
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Line Capacity
The maximum possible number of trains capable of being
operated over a line in one direction. Usually expressed as
trains per hour, it will depend on all trains running at the
same speed, having equal braking capacity and on how the
signaling is arranged.
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Railway systems often use public (government) subsidies to

Subsidy maintain their infrastructure and improve their passenger
and freight operations for social and economic reasons.
Different patterns of investment persist, however: while
some countries prioritize either infrastructure managers or
train operators in their funding, others choose to divide
funds between the two.
Many benefits of rail travel come from reducing road
externalities — things like pollution or safety hazards and
moving people affordably to their places of work, education
and health facilities. Subsidies also occur in freight to ensure
affordable goods domestically and globally, whilst reducing
road wear and congestion along with safety.
Germany for example recouped its public investment in rail
through environmental and public health savings alone.
That's before considering farebox revenue, and without even
factoring in the time and money saved from reduced
congestion.