Glossary

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General Terms

• track
  • tie
  • rail
  • spike
  • joiner
  • roadbed
  • ballast

• crossing
• cross-over

• turntable
• wye
• reverse loop

• signal
  • semaphore
  • dwarf

• siding
  • passing
  • stub

• yard
  • throat
  • switching lead
  • escape track

• turnout (track switch)
  • frog
  • point
  • guard rail
  • switch stand

• coupler
• wheel
• truck

• equipment
  • locomotive
  • rolling stock
  • brake
  • glad hand
  • train line
  • brake wheel
  • cylinder

• M.O.W.

Model Specific Terms

• gauge
• scale

• layout ("pike")
• staging
• benchwork
• block
• block detector
• track bus (track buss)

Prototype Specific Terms

• Railway vs. Railroad
• anti-creeper
• hot box
• F.R.E.D.
• prime mover
• R.O.W.