{{Short description|none}} {{Use British English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Trainstopics}}
This article contains a list of jargon used to varying degrees by railway enthusiasts, trainspotters, and railway employees in the United Kingdom, including nicknames for various locomotives and multiple units. Although not exhaustive, many of the entries in this list appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. There may be significant regional variation in usage.
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== A == ; Absolute block signalling : A British signalling scheme designed to ensure the safe operation of a railway by allowing only one train to occupy a defined section of track (block) at a time, used on lines which lack automatic block signalling<ref>{{cite book|last=Ellis|first=Iain|title=Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia|date=2006|page=6|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-84728-643-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkDYawSkRpAC}}</ref> ; Aspect : The indication displayed by a colour-light signal (e.g. a yellow aspect) ; Autocoach : A passenger coach fitted with a driving cab and controls for use in an autotrain ; Automatic warning system (AWS) : The specific form of limited cab signalling introduced in 1948 in the United Kingdom to help train drivers observe and obey warning signals
== B == ; Baby Warship : North British D6300 class locomotives, which used one diesel engine coupled to a hydraulic transmission, making them effectively half a D600 Warship or D800 Warship, each of which had two engines<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/d6300m_in.htm |title=British Railways Western Region diesel-hydraulic locomotives: D6300 index}}</ref> ; Bagpipes : British Rail Class 33/1 locomotives, specifically those fitted for push-pull working with 4TC stock<ref name="RM0312">{{cite magazine |title=Waterloo-Weymouth push-pull trains |first=Ian |last=Blackburn |magazine=Railway Modeller |pages=226–31 |issue=March 2012 |publisher=Peco Publications |issn=0033-8931}}</ref> ; Basils : A nickname for the British Rail Class 755 bi-mode / diesel multiple units. Named for the TV character Basil Fawlty due to many teething problems on introduction.<ref name=Basil>{{cite web |url=https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/greater-anglia-new-trains-problems-citrus-oil-1-6417275 |title=Citrus oil - Greater Anglia's secret ingredient to get its new trains back on track |first=Tom |last=Bristow |publisher=Archant Media Ltd |work=Eastern Evening News |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210130723/https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/business/greater-anglia-new-trains-problems-citrus-oil-1-6417275 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ; Bed pan : A name used for the service that used to operate between ''Bed''ford and London St. ''Pan''cras; this service has subsequently been replaced by cross-London service on the Thameslink route. It is sometimes used when referring to the line from Bedford to St Pancras, and not any service in particular.<ref>{{cite book |first=Terence Richard |last=Gourvish |title=British Rail, 1974–97: From Integration to Privatisation |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=2002 |isbn=0-19-926909-2 |page=182}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=Rogart 127 to head south |last=Green-Hughes |first=Evan |page=38}}</ref> ; Black Five : A LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0. Class of steam locomotive built in the UK, named from their black 'mixed-traffic' livery and 'Class 5' power rating.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Cliff |date=July 2005 |title='Alderman A E Draper' name back on 'Black Five' |magazine=The Railway Magazine |volume=151 |issue=1251 |page=64 }}</ref> ; Blood and Custard : The Crimson and Cream livery used on BR's coaches during the 1950s and 60s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southdevonrailway.org/Coach-276.html |title=South Devon Railway Ex GWR Coach 276 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804111435/http://www.southdevonrailway.org/Coach-276.html |archive-date=4 August 2007 }}</ref> ; Bobby : A signaller. From Robert Peel; originally, the railway police were responsible for signalling.<ref>{{cite book |last=Jackson |first=Alan A. |title=The Railway Dictionary: Worldwide Railway Facts and Terminology |edition=4th |year=2006 |orig-year=1992 |publisher=Sutton Publishing |location=Chalford |isbn=978-0-7509-4218-8 |page=33 }}</ref> ; Bodysnatcher : British Rail Class 57 diesel-electric locomotives—made by transplanting a General Motors reconditioned power unit and alternator into a Class 47 bodyshell<ref name="Body">{{cite web | url = http://www.renownrepulse.com/nicknames.asp | archive-date=24 March 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070324225433/http://www.renownrepulse.com/nicknames.asp | title = Nicknames | access-date = 3 April 2010}}</ref> ; Bogie [[File:Bettendorf truck at Illinois Railway Museum.JPG|thumb|Bettendorf-type freight car ''bogie'']] : The undercarriage assembly of rolling stock incorporating the train wheels, suspension, brakes and, in powered units, the ''traction motors'' ; Booking clerk : A member of staff at railway stations, employed to sell tickets to passengers, able to provide advice on ticketing and route options, and responsible for the daily accounts and auditing of the station<ref>{{cite web|title=Booking Clerk|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/booking_clerk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005124055/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/booking_clerk|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 October 2016|website=En.OxfordDictionaries.com|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Volunteer Booking Clerk Vacancies|url=http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/805/volunteer-booking-clerk-vacancies|website=WatercressLine.co.uk|publisher=Watercress Line|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref> ; Bone : British Rail Class 58 diesel-electric locomotive—from the shape: the body is narrow with wide cabs. (Also called egg timer.) Ironically, one of the final workings of this class was a railfan special called the Bone Breaker which ended in a bufferstop collision and a passenger breaking his leg.<ref name="Bone">{{cite web |author=Class 58 Loco Group |title=The history of the Class 58 Locomotives - from the outset to the present day |url=http://www.c58lg.co.uk/html/class_58_history.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129042233/http://www.c58lg.co.uk/html/class_58_history.html |archive-date=29 January 2008}}</ref> ; Brake van : A heavy vehicle with powerful brakes which was attached to the rear of goods trains in the days when most wagons were not fitted with a continuous braking system. Its function was to supplement the locomotive's braking power in slowing and stopping the train and to keep the couplings uniformly tight by selective light braking to avoid snatching and breakages. It also conveyed the train guard, hence its alternative name of ''"guards van"''. Partly analogous to ''caboose'' and its synonyms. ; Bubble car : A British Rail Class 121 or 122 single railcar. This name was later made official by Chiltern Railways, the final company to have operated the 121 in mainline service.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Milner |first=Chris |date=July 2005 |title=SWT 'bubble' named |magazine=The Railway Magazine |volume=151 |issue=1251 |page=77 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/travelling-with-us/our-trains/ |title=Our Trains – Chiltern Railways |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411031333/http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/travelling-with-us/our-trains/ |archive-date=11 April 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=McDonald sells his four DMU cars |last=Green-Hughes |first=Evan |page=36}}</ref> ; Bullhead rail : A steel rail section commonly used in 60 ft lengths on almost all railway lines throughout Britain until c1950, which due to its shape must be supported in cast iron chairs that are screwed to the sleepers. It is still found on some London Underground lines, on secondary and preserved lines, and in yards. The rail has two heads (shaped somewhat like a vertical dumbbell) which led some people to assume that when one side became worn, the rail could be inverted and reinstalled for further service rather than being replaced (it can't, because the two heads are different sizes, and by the time the top became worn down sufficiently to fit in the chairs when the rail is inverted, both the top and the bottom of the rail would be too small for further use).
== C == ; Cant : The superelevation angle of a track (the relative level of one rail to the other), typically around a curve ; Cape : A British Railways telegraphic codeword to note the cancellation of a passenger train service<ref name="BRTelCode">[http://www.rodge.force9.co.uk/faq/telegraph.html British Railway Telegraphic Codewords] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928073914/http://www.rodge.force9.co.uk/faq/telegraph.html |date=28 September 2008 }} – ''from booklet BR30064 (accessed 12 February 2009)''</ref> ; Car transporter wagon or car transporter van : A specialised freight car for transporting automobiles<ref name="Trains Glossary A">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=A| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831175630/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=A| title=Railroading Glossary: A| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=31 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Barry|first=Steve|title=Railroad Rolling Stock|publisher=Voyageur Press, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company|location=Minneapolis, MN|date=2008|pages=64–65|isbn=978-0-7603-3260-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=woJyATGsf6kC}}</ref> ; {{Visible anchor|Cess}}thumb|A ''cess'' along the London Underground : The area either side of the railway immediately off the ballast shoulder which provides a safe area for workers to stand when trains approach<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia">{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zkDYawSkRpAC| title=Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia| date=2006| isbn=978-1-84728-643-7| publisher=Lulu.com| first=Iain| last=Ellis}}</ref>{{Rp|62}} ; Chair : A cast iron bracket screwed to the sleeper and used to support bull head rail that is held in place by a wooden key (wedge) or spring steel clip—still found on preserved railways and in yards ; Check rail : A double rail section of track, sometimes found in train yards and on bridges to prevent derailments or limit damage caused by derailments, by having rail on both sides of the wheel flange. Also found on curves with a tight radius and switches and crossings<ref name="Trains Glossary G" /> ; Chimney, funnel, or stack : A smokestack ; Chopper : British Rail Class 20 diesel-electric locomotive<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |title='At least 20 20s' for Barrow Hill diesel jubilee |date=July 2007 |page=9}}</ref> ; Chord : A curve connecting two otherwise-unconnected rail lines that lie at tangents to that curve (Usually both lines are straight, one being at a higher level than the other.)<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docsummary.php?docID=2373|title=Report on the Accident at Metropolitan Junction on 13th September 1924|publisher=Railways Archive|access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref> ; Clag : Originally used to describe the exhaust of steam locomotives, "clag" is a term describing the often spectacular {{According to whom|date=April 2020}} (particularly blackened, as in Class 37, or whitesmoked, as in Class 55) exhaust emissions of many older British diesel locomotives, especially, Classes 52 and 55.<ref name=Clag>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071018022727/http://www.llangollen-diesels.co.uk/news%20archive2.htm Llangollen Diesels]</ref> ; Coach : Railway vehicle for use in passenger trains<ref>{{Cite book|first1=Robert|last1=Pritchard|first2=Peter|last2=Hall|title=British Railways, Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013|publisher=Platform 5 Publishing|location=Sheffield|date=2013|isbn=978-1-909431-02-7|page=94}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|first1=P.|last1=Mallaband|first2=L. J.|last2=Bowles|title=Coaching Stock of British Railways 1978|publisher=RCTS Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|date=1982|isbn=0-901115-44-4|page=3}}</ref> ; Coffee pot : Applied to the shape of SR Q1 class steam locomotives<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kentrail.org.uk/bulleid_q1_class.htm |title=Kent Rail: Bulleid Class Q1}}</ref> ; Composite : A passenger car with more than one class of accommodation provided (e.g. first and third). In earlier days of three-class travel, first and second class, and second and third class composites were also built. A car with first, second, and third classes was also known as a tri-composite. ; Connecting rod : The drive rod connecting the crosshead to a driving-wheel or axle in a steam locomotive<ref name="White 465-6">White (1968), p 465-466.</ref> ; Coupling (UK) : The mechanical connector at either end of a railway carriage allowing it to couple together with other carriages to form a train<ref name="Trains Glossary C">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=C| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913071106/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=C| title=Railroading Glossary: C| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> ; Crompton : British Rail Class 33 diesel-electric locomotive (fitted with Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment).<ref name="semg33">{{cite web | title =Class 33 locomotives | publisher =Southern E-Group |url=https://sremg.org.uk/diesel/class33.shtml | access-date = 16 February 2007 }}</ref> See also Slim Jim.
== D == ; Deltics : British Rail Class 55 diesel-electric locomotives (the "Deltics"), which use twin Napier Deltic power units ; Detonator : A small explosive device strapped to the top of a rail to alert an approaching train of danger ahead by creating a loud noise upon contact with a locomotive wheel<ref name="Trains Glossary T">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=T| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822084725/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=T| title=Railroading Glossary: T| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> ; Doodlebug : Waggon und Maschinenbau railbuses E79960-64, introduced 1958<ref name=HR139>{{cite journal |last=Wilcock |first=David |title=The Branch Line Service Where Passengers Had to Get Out and Push! |journal=Heritage Railway |publisher=Mortons Media Ltd |issue=139 |date=4 August 2010 |pages=76–77 }}</ref> ; Down : A direction (usually away from London, other capital city, or the headquarters of the railway concerned) or side (on left-running railways, the left side when facing in the down direction).<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|104}}<ref name="Bosham 1908">{{cite magazine| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0GpIAAAAYAAJ|magazine=The Railway Magazine| title=Trains that Travel in a Contrary Direction on the London and South-Western Railway| first=John| last=Bosham| pages=64–71| volume=XXII| date=January 1908}}</ref> ; Drain : The Waterloo & City line, a short line in London, is nicknamed "The Drain".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research Guide No 29: A Brief History of the Waterloo & City Line |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/research-guide-no-29-brief-history-of-the-waterloo-and-city-line.pdf |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=Transport for London}}</ref> ; Driver : The operator of a railway locomotive ; Driving trailer : A passenger coach which has a full set of train controls at one end, allowing for the use of push-pull train operation<ref>{{Cite book|first1=P.|last1=Mallaband|first2=L. J.|last2=Bowles|title=Coaching Stock of British Railways 1978|publisher=RCTS Railway Correspondence and Travel Society|date=1982|isbn=0-901115-44-4|page=91}}</ref> ; Driving Van Trailer (DVT) : A class of control car{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} ; Dutch : The livery of British Rail Civil Engineers department rolling stock, due to the resemblance of Nederlandse Spoorwegen's corporate livery<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |title=Devon Knows How They Make Them 37s So Greeny! |page=29 |date=December 2007}}</ref> ; Dyson : British Rail Class 92.{{cn|date=August 2025}}
== E == ; Egg Timer : British Rail Class 58 diesel-electric locomotive<ref name="Bone" /> ; Electra : The British Rail Class 91's alternative name<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 September 2022 |title=Ic225s: the electras go gliding on |url=https://gb.readly.com/magazines/rail/2022-09-17/6327e2a1423f5e51c69d9634 |access-date=12 April 2026 |magazine=Rail Magazine |via=Readly}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Senior |first=Roger |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Train_Doctor/OJ98DAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Train Doctor: Trouble Shooting with Diesel and Electric Traction |date=30 September 2016 |publisher=Pen and Sword |isbn=978-1-4738-7044-4 |language=en |chapter=3: Introduction of the Class 91-MkIV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Robin |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/History_of_the_East_Coast_Main_Line/AgcgDgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=History of the East Coast Main Line |date=28 February 2017 |publisher=The Crowood Press |isbn=978-1-78500-287-8 |language=en |chapter=The First East Coast Electrification Scheme}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Jane_s_World_Railways/ICJSAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=class%2091%20%22electra%22 |title=Jane's World Railways |date=1988 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company |isbn=978-0-7106-0871-0 |pages=729 |language=en}}</ref>
== F == [[File:FGW20040929-067.JPG|thumb|HST power car (foreground) in FGW ''fag packet'' livery]] ; Fag packet livery : The original livery of the First Great Western HSTs—a green colour scheme, fading to ivory with shiny gold stripe below the windows, so called because it resembles the packaging of a brand of Rothman's cigarettes ('fags')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/HST.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730063637/http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/HST.htm|title=The High Speed Train (HST)|website=TauntonTrains.co.uk|archive-date=30 July 2017|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> ; Ferret and Dartboard : The second British Railways emblem introduced in 1956, featuring a lion rampant holding a wheel. From a distance the wheel has a passing resemblance to a dartboard.<ref>{{cite book | title = Dow's Dictionary of Railway Quotations | publisher = JHU Press | date = 2006 | url = https://archive.org/details/dowsdictionaryof00dowa |first=Andrew| url-access = registration | page = [https://archive.org/details/dowsdictionaryof00dowa/page/36 36] | quote = ferret and dartboard |access-date= |isbn=0-8018-8292-3 |last=Dow }}</ref> ; Fishplate : A metal plate that joins the ends of rails in jointed track<ref>{{cite web| publisher=Union Pacific Railroad| url=http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/funfacts/rrtalk/engine.shtml| title=Fun Facts| access-date=5 March 2007}}</ref> ; Flat junction : A junction in which all track crossings take place at grade and routings must therefore be controlled by signals and interlocking ; Flat wagon : A type of rolling stock, which can be a flat-bottomed car with no sides on which freight (including intermodal containers) can be stacked. A bulkhead is a flatcar with walls on the front and rear. A center-beam bulkhead is a bulkhead flatcar with an additional wall dividing one side of the flatcar from the other, but still without any sides.<ref name="Trains Glossary F">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=F| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830031110/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=F| title=Railroading Glossary: F| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> ; Fly shunting : The practice of uncoupling a locomotive from a wagon in motion and running over point, whereupon an employee on the ground lines the point to divert the vehicle onto an adjacent track.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/592/what-does-do-not-hump-mean-on-the-side-of-railroad-cars| title=What does "DO NOT HUMP" mean on the side of railroad cars?| work=The Straight Dope| date=4 July 1986| first=Cecil| last=Adams| access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-TMLAAAAYAAJ| title=The Southwestern Reporter| publisher=West Publishing Company| volume=78| date=1904| location=St. Paul| chapter=Missouri, K. & T. Ry. Co. of Texas v. Stinson| access-date=13 October 2014| pages=986–987}}</ref> Once commonplace, this practice has led to several lawsuits against railway companies and is now strictly prohibited due to the high risk to life and property.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WPw2AAAAIAAJ| title=American Negligence Cases| editor=Walter J. Eagle| volume=XII| location=New York| publisher=Remick, Schilling & Co.| date=1902| page=185}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kARDAQAAMAAJ| title=American Negligence Cases| volume=XVII| location=Chicago| publisher=Callaghan & Co.| date=1914| page=674}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WBpCAQAAMAAJ| title=Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the Territory of Arizona for the Year 1906 Concluded| volume=10| first=E. W.| last=Lewis| location=San Francisco| publisher=Bancroft-Whitney Company| date=1909| page=240}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://palestine-tx.eregulations.us/rule/coor/coor_ptii_ch94_artvi_sec94-173| title=State of Texas, Palestine, Code of Ordinances, Part II. Code Of Ordinances, Chapter 94. Traffic And Vehicles, Article VI. Railroads§ 94-173. Flying switch prohibited| work=Legal Zone| access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://henrietta-tx.eregulations.us/rule/coor/coor_apxid135540_ch21_sec21-7| title=State of Texas, Henrietta, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21. Railroads, § 21-7. Flying switch prohibited| work=Legal Zone| access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref> ; Flying Banana : The first design of GWR diesel railcars, introduced in 1932.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/earlydays1.html|title=Bluebell Railway – Early Days 1|work=bluebell-railway.co.uk}}</ref> This has since been adopted for the Network Rail New Measurement Train, due to its all-over yellow livery.<ref>[http://www.traintesting.com/NMT.htm New Measurement Train], TrainTesting.com</ref> Also occasionally used to describe the High Speed Train.<ref name="Ashford">{{cite book|editor=Morrison, Brian|title=Modern Railways Pictorial 1986|year=1985|publisher=Ian Allan|page=[https://archive.org/details/modernrailwayspi0000unse/page/115 115]|isbn=0-7110-1510-4|url=https://archive.org/details/modernrailwayspi0000unse/page/115}}</ref> ; Formation : The group of rail vehicles making up a train, or more commonly a group of locomotives connected together for multiple-unit (MU) operation<ref name="Trains Glossary C" />{{Failed verification|date=September 2024||reason=1st 9 words are under "consist" entry; others are not.}}<!--I will delete the entry if a citation is not added in 3 weeks and/or the definition in Template: Infobox train is not improved. --> ; Four foot : The area between the running rails of a standard-gauge track; the actual distance is {{Track gauge|ussg}}. See also ''six-foot'' and ''ten-foot''.<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|141}}<ref name="GERM8000">{{cite web|title=Rule Book: Train Driver Manual|url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebooks/GERM8000-traindriver%20Iss%203.pdf|website=RSSB.co.uk|publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board|date=2016|access-date=10 October 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009161740/http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebooks/GERM8000-traindriver%20Iss%203.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== G == ; Goods : The products which are carried ; Goods van, goods wagon, or goods truck, railway wagon, or wagon : A type of rolling stock with a flat bottom enclosed on all sides and top, which is loaded and unloaded from sliding doors on each side<ref name="Trains Glossary B">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=B| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821181829/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=B| title=Railroading Glossary: B| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=21 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Welsh 2006 58">{{cite book|last=Welsh|first=Joe|title=The American Railroad: Working for the Nation|publisher=MBI Publishing Company|location=St. Paul, MN|date=2006|page=58|isbn=978-0-7603-1631-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPqntdv9w7kC|orig-year=first published 1999 by Andover Junction Publications}}</ref> ; Goyle : A British Rail Class 31 diesel-electric locomotive—from "gargoyle" (after the somewhat ungainly headcode boxes above the driving cabs)<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Modern Railway Modelling |title=Hornby 'Goyles' in OO (Class 31) |volume=3 |pages=26–27 |date=2005}}</ref> ; Gricer : A rail enthusiast<ref name=OED>{{cite web|url=http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/gricer|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117173358/http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/gricer|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2013|title=Oxford Dictionaries – Dictionary, Thesaurus, & Grammar|website=AskOxford.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3DQ71i3CfYEC| title=I Never Knew There Was a Word For It| first=Adam Jacot| last=de Boinod| publisher=Penguin Books| date=2010| orig-year=first published as ''The Meaning of Tingo'' in 2005| isbn=9780141963532}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KT-cAQAAQBAJ| title=Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang| date=2010| first1=John| last1=Ayto| first2=John| last2=Simpson| page=117| publisher=Oxford University Press| orig-year=first published 1997| isbn=978-0199232055}}</ref> ; Grid or grid iron : A British Rail Class 56 diesel-electric locomotive, from the large grilles<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nicholson |first=Peter |date=July 2005 |title='Grid' owner adds to his collection |magazine=The Railway Magazine |volume=151 |issue=1251 |page=84 }}</ref> ; Gronk [[File:British Rail Class 08 Shunter - 08911 - National Railway Museum - York - 2005-10-15.jpg|thumb|A British Rail Class 08 ''Gronk'']] : A British Rail Class 08 or Class 09 shunter<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Modern Railway Modelling |title=Hornby 'Gronk' (Class 08/09) |volume=4 |pages=26–27 |date=2005}}</ref> ; Growler : A British Rail Class 37 diesel-electric locomotive (from the engine sound)<ref>{{cite magazine |date=July 2005 |title=A Real 'Growler' on the South Devon |magazine=The Railway Magazine |volume=151 |issue=1251 |page=10 }}</ref> ; Guard : The person in charge of a train and its crew. On passenger trains, a conductor is also responsible for tasks such as assisting passengers and collecting tickets. ; Gurgler : A nickname for the British Rail Class 31, on account of its engine noise<ref name="Ashford" />
== H == ; Headshunt : A length of track feeding a number of sidings that permits the sidings to be shunted without blocking the main line, or where two lines merge into one before ending with a buffer, to allow a run-round procedure to take place<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.amra.asn.au/terms.htm#h| title=Railway Terminology: H| publisher=Australian Model Railway Association Incorporated| access-date=8 March 2008| archive-date=13 March 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313220627/http://www.amra.asn.au/terms.htm#h| url-status=dead}}</ref> ; Hoover : A British Rail Class 50 diesel-electric locomotive—from the sound of the engine cooling fans being similar to a vacuum cleaner, prior to the refurbishment which removed this characteristic<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |title=Swindon's 'Hoover' goes to school |date=July 2007 |page=86 |last=Nicholson |first=Peter}}</ref> ; Hymek : A D7000 class locomotive using a V16 Maybach diesel engine coupled to a Mekydro hydraulic transmission<ref>{{cite book | last = Reed | first = Brian | title = Diesel-Hydraulic Locomotives of the Western Region | publisher = David and Charles |date=1974 | location = Newton Abbot | isbn =0-7153-6769-2}}</ref> ; Happy Train [[File:365537 B Stevenage.JPG|thumb|A Class 365 ''Happy Train'']] : A British Rail Class 365 because their revised front end resembles a grinning face.<ref>{{cite book | last = Reed | first = Brian | title = Traction Recognition | publisher = Ian Allan | date = 2007 | location = unknown | isbn =978-0-7110-3277-4}}</ref>
== J == ; Javelin : British Rail Class 395 electric multiple units, due to their usage during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on ''Olympic Javelin Shuttle'' services<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.railwayherald.com/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue159.pdf |title=Countdown to Kent High-Speed Commuter Service Begins |page=4 |journal=Railway Herald |location=Scunthorpe |date=14 December 2008 |access-date=28 March 2016 }}</ref> ; Joint station : A railway station at which tracks and facilities are shared by two or more railways<ref name="Trains Glossary U">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=U| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830031153/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=U| title=Railroading Glossary: U| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref>
== K == ; Key : Timber or sprung steel block used to secure Bullhead rail into the chairs<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|187}}
== L == ; Lamp : A portable (often handheld) light source that is used to signal train crews<ref>{{cite book|last=Cunningham|first=William A.|title=The Railroad Lantern, 1865 to 1930: The Evolution of the Railroad Hand Lantern as Reflected by the United States Patent Records and by Lanterns Made by Cross, Dane & Westlake, Dane, Westlake & Covert, the Adams & Westlake Manufacturing Co. & the Adams & Westlake Company|publisher=Wm. A. Cunningham|date=1997 }}</ref> ; Large-logo livery [[File:50049 Defiance.jpg|thumb|Preserved Class 50 50 049 Defiance, in ''large-logo livery'']] : One of the first new British Rail locomotive liveries applied after many years of all-over rail blue. For this livery, the loco cabs were entirely 'warning yellow', with black window surrounds (the yellow usually wrapping round behind the cab doors); the main bodysides were still rail blue but featured very large running numbers with a large white British Rail 'double arrow' logo in the middle, the full height of the body. It was applied to refurbished Class 50 locomotives, among others.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=The University of Shackerstone, locomotive division! |last=Chilton |first=Phil |page=17}}</ref> ; Location case : A trackside cabinet used to house signalling equipment such as relays or transformers<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|204}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Toft|first=Guy|date=July 1913|title=Signaling of the Union R. R. of Baltimore|journal=The Signal Engineer|publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Co.|location=Chicago|volume=8|issue=7|pages=197–200|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NYfmAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> ; Loop : A second parallel track (running for a short distance) on single-track railway lines, allowing a train to pass another
== M == ; Main line : A principal artery of a railway system<ref name="Trains Glossary M">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=M| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821182116/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=M| title=Railroading Glossary: M| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=21 August 2014}}</ref> ; Merry-go-round (MGR) train : Coal train running between a coal mine and a power station, loading and unloading without stopping or shunting ; Metrovick : Locomotives constructed by Metropolitan-Vickers, especially the British Rail Class 28 (D5700 class) Co-Bo<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.d5705.org.uk/|title=Co-Bo World : The home of D5705 and the Metrovick Co-Bos|work=d5705.org.uk}}</ref> ; Mickey Mouse : An Ivatt 2MT class 2-6-0 steam locomotive<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Steam Railway |date=November 2007 |volume=343 |title=Bridgnorth's stalwart 'Mickey Mouse' is focus of charter |last=Hopkins |first=Simon |page=24}}</ref> ; Motion : Collective term for the connecting rod, coupling rods, and valve gear—forms part of the running gear<ref name="Semmens & Goldfinch, Steam locomotives, Motion">{{cite book |last1=Semmens |first1=P.W.B. |last2=Goldfinch |first2=A.J. |title=How Steam Locomotives Really Work |pages=177–185 |isbn=978-0-19-860782-3 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |date=2000 |ref=Semmens & Goldfinch, Steam locomotives }}</ref> ; Motor train : A branch-line train consisting of a steam locomotive and passenger carriages that can be driven from either end by means of rodding to the regulator and an additional vacuum brake valve. The fireman remains with the locomotive and, when the driver is at the other end, the fireman controls the cut off and vacuum ejectors in addition to his usual duties.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} ;Multiple working : The ability of diesel and electric locomotives or multiple units to be joined together and controlled from one driving station. Such a set of joined locomotives is called a consist or (colloquially) "lash-up" and is said to be "MUed together".<ref name="Trains Glossary M" />
== N == ; Networker Clubman : A British Rail Class 168 Clubman unit with original front end, so called because it resembles the front end of a Networker
== O == ; Open wagon : A type of rolling stock with a flat bottom and relatively low sides, used to haul material such as ore or scrap, and loaded and unloaded from the top which may be covered or uncovered<ref name="Trains Glossary G">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=G| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821181620/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=G| title=Railroading Glossary: G| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=21 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Trains Glossary O">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=O| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913071124/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=O| title=Railroading Glossary: O| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=13 September 2014}}</ref> ; Overbridge : A bridge over the railway<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|46}} ; Overlap : A distance (normally 180 metres or set according to the permitted speed of the line) beyond a stop signal which must be clear before the preceding stop signal can display a proceed aspect; allows a margin in case a train overshoots a signal before stopping<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|246, 326}}
== P == ; Peak : A British Rail Class 44, Class 45, or Class 46 diesel-electric locomotive—so named because the earliest of these loco types, the ten Class 44s, were named after mountains<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=Peak to be sold |page=36}}</ref> ; Person in charge of possession (PICOP) : The railway or contractor's official responsible for safe working during engineer's possession<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|259}} ; Point machine : A motor or device which operates points ; Points : The articulating rails that determine the route to be taken ;Plastic Pig Nickname for the British Rail Class 442 5-WES built by British Rail Engineering Limited at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Called so because of the use of plastics during their construction <ref>{{cite news |title=Refurblished South Western Railway trains withdrawn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49555437 |work=BBC News |date=2 September 2019 |access-date=26 April 2026 }}</ref>
;{{Anchor|Possession}}Possession :Closure of a section of railway for engineering or track renewal purposes<ref>Network Rail https://safety.networkrail.co.uk/jargon-buster/possession/</ref> ; Pump trolley [[File:RCBTHandcar.jpg|thumb|A ''pump trolley'']] : A small, hand-powered railroad car used for track inspection
== R == ;Rail head treatment : The practice of cleaning low adhesion track surfaces to free them of leaves, snow or ice. This is typically done with multi-purpose vehicles or specialist rail head cleaning equipment.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/looking-after-the-railway/our-fleet-machines-and-vehicles/seasonal-track-treatment-and-weather-support-fleet/ | publisher = Network Rail | title = Seasonal track treatment and weather support fleet | access-date = 26 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.railengineer.co.uk/cleaning-the-rail-head/ | title = Cleaning the rail head | first1=Malcolm | last1 = Dobell | date = 1 September 2020 | publisher = RailEngineer | access-date = 26 April 2026}}</ref> ;Railheading : The practice of travelling further than necessary to reach a rail service, typically by car. The phenomenon is common among commuters seeking a more convenient journey. Reasons for railheading include: that discounted fares may be available on another part of the route;<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.fareham.gov.uk/crs/executive/021104/reports-public/xpt-021104-r18-avi.pdf| title=Report to the Executive for Decision| pages=3–4 | date=4 November 2002 | publisher=Fareham BC }}</ref> to access a more frequent service. ; Rake : A set of rolling stock coupled together<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/rake#rake-4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717021251/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/rake#rake-4| url-status=dead| archive-date=17 July 2012| title=rake| work=Oxford Dictionaries| publisher=Oxford University Press| access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.safety.networkrail.co.uk/Services/Jargon-Buster/R/RA-RE/Rake| title=Rake| publisher=Network Rail| work=Safety Central: Jargon Buster| access-date=19 October 2014| archive-url=https://archive.today/20141019164728/http://www.safety.networkrail.co.uk/Services/Jargon-Buster/R/RA-RE/Rake| archive-date=19 October 2014| df=dmy-all}}</ref> ; Rat : British Rail Class 25 diesel-electric locomotives—and related classes—reputedly originating from a term used on the LMR of British Rail in the 1960s where 25s were as common as "rats";<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |page=12 |date=December 2007 |title='Rat' resurrected on the 'main line' |last=Kemp |first=Steve}}</ref> the Scottish-based Class 26 and 27 were sometimes known as "MacRats".<ref name="Rat">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-rat-roadshow.com/|title=The Rat Roadshow Homepage|work=the-rat-roadshow.com|access-date=5 February 2008|archive-date=23 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023230720/http://www.the-rat-roadshow.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ; Roarer : Early British Rail 25 kV AC electric locomotive of types 'AL1'–'AL5' (later Classes 81, 82, 83, 84, 85), due to the loud whine made by the traction motor cooling fans when the locomotive is at rest. The name originated with the AL3 type. Although the other types exhibit a less noticeable noise, the name is applied equally to any of them.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chris | first = Shaw | title = The AC Electrics (Rail Portfolios no. 13) | publisher = Ian Allan | date = 1991 | isbn = 0-7110-1938-X | page = 7 (top caption)}}</ref> ;{{anchor|Rule Book}} Rule Book : The system of rules for the safe operation of the railway, maintained by the Rail Safety and Standards Board. ; Running powers : The legal right of one railway company to use the tracks of another, as agreed to by the companies concerned or their predecessors<ref name="Trains Glossary T" />
== S == [[File:EWS diesel locomotive 66188 at Cambridge station.jpg|thumb|The roof shape on Class 66 diesel locos resembles that of a garden ''shed''.]] ; Shed : A Canadian-built Class 66 diesel-electric locomotive (from the roof shape and also the corrugated bodysides)<ref name="Staines 2007 pages 22-25">{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |title=High-speed one: a 'Teddy Bear's picnic! |last=Staines |first=David |pages=22–25 |date=December 2007}}</ref> ; Shunter :# A small locomotive used for assembling trains and moving Railway wagons around<ref name="Trains Glossary S">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=S| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821182619/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=S| title=Railroading Glossary: S| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=21 August 2014}}</ref> :# A person involved in such work<ref name="Trains Glossary S" /> :<!-- colon necessary to avoid WP:LISTGAP issue --> ; Signal passed at danger (SPAD) : An incident when a train passes a stop signal without authority ; Signal-post telephone (SPT) : A direct no-dial telephone link to the relevant signal box, positioned on or near a signal<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|341}} ; Silver bullet : China Clay slurry wagons<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=March 2008 |title=News Pictorial |page=43}}</ref> ; Six foot : The space between a pair of adjacent lines, nominally six feet wide. See also ''four-foot'' and ''ten-foot''.<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|336}}<ref name="GERM8000" /> ; Skipper : a livery worn by a handful of Class 142 DMUs in the 1980s when they worked on the Great Western route. Called so for the original GWR's Skipper livery, also known as Chocolate and Cream.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=March 2008 |title=Cornish Capers |page=24}}</ref> ; Slack action : Looseness in a train caused by mating clearances in couplers<ref name="Trains Glossary S" /> ; Slam-door train : Any diesel or electric multiple unit with manually opening hinged doors (mostly the British rail classes 423 and 421), so called after the noise made by passengers slamming the doors ; Sleeper thumb|Wood (left track) and concrete (right track) ''sleepers'' beneath the rails : Bars of wood or concrete placed beneath and perpendicular to track to support the rails<ref name="Trains Glossary T" /> ; Slim Jim : Narrow-bodied version of the British Rail Class 33 diesel-electric locomotive (identified as sub-class 33/2)—built for the confined loading gauge on the Hastings line.<ref name="Ashford"/> See also Crompton). ; Slip coach : A passenger coach that is disconnected from a train without the train having to stop. While the train continued on its route, the slip coach would be guided and stopped by a guard on board using the coach's own brake mechanism. This practice was almost entirely limited to the United Kingdom and was discontinued in the 1960s.<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|339}}<ref name="irfca.org">{{Cite web |title=Railway Operations - I |url=http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-ops.html |publisher=Indian Railways Fan Club |website=IRFCA.org |date=2010 |access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> ;Spinner :A Midland Railway 115 Class steam locomotive, due to their large driving wheels<ref>{{Cite book|title=The official British Rail book of trains for young people|last=Bowler, Michael.|date=1985|publisher=Hutchinson|isbn=0-09-161511-9|location=London|oclc=17549439}}</ref> ;Station pilot : A shunting engine based at a major passenger station and used for passenger-train shunting duties ;Stop and examine : A now-defunct British Railways rule which required a train crew to stop the train and examine the cause of an unexpected noise, vibration, or other irregular events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Forms/Live_Documents.aspx?RootFolder=/Rule_Book/Rule%20Book%20Modules/TW%20-%20Train%20Working&FolderCTID=0x01200060B274261602B94B84F5B3E1E95DE5C8 |title=Online Rulebook section TW: Working of Trains |date=25 September 2024 |access-date=27 May 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929163451/http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Forms/Live_Documents.aspx?RootFolder=%2FRule_Book%2FRule%20Book%20Modules%2FTW%20-%20Train%20Working&FolderCTID=0x01200060B274261602B94B84F5B3E1E95DE5C8 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ;Subway : A tunnel passing underneath the railway tracks to allow passengers to cross from one platform to another ;Superelevation : The banking of railway track on curves. Specifically, the practice on high speed lines (where the cant needs to be higher) of gently introducing the elevation of the outer rail before the bend starts, in order to avoid sudden lurches. Synonymous with cant.<ref name="Trains Glossary S" />
== T == ; Tadpole : A 3R diesel electric multiple unit (DEMU), named due to having two vehicles 8 ft 2½ in wide and one vehicle 9 ft 3 in wide<ref name="Tad">{{cite book | first = John| last = Glover | date = 2001 | title = Southern Electric | publisher = Ian Allan | location = Hersham | isbn = 0-7110-2807-9 | page = 93 }}</ref> ; Tank engine : A locomotive that carries its own fuel and water instead of hauling a tender ; Teddy Bear : A British Rail Class 14 diesel-hydraulic locomotive for shunting and trip working.<ref name="Staines 2007 pages 22-25" /> Coined by Swindon Works' foreman George Cole who quipped "We've built the Great Bear, now we're going to build a Teddy Bear!".<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |date=December 2006 |editor-first=Nick |editor-last=Pigott |publisher=IPC Media |location=London |issue=1268 |volume=152 |title='Teddy Bears' - the locos BR put to bed early |first=Andy |last=Flowers |page=41 }}</ref> ; Ten foot : The space between sets of lines (e.g. between pairs of fast and slow lines). See also ''four-foot'' and ''six-foot''.<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|373}}<ref name="GERM8000" /> ; Terminus (UK) : A station sited where a railway line or service ends or terminates ; Terrier [[File:W8FreshwaterKingscote.JPG|thumb|A preserved Southern A1 Class ''Terrier'']] : The LB&SCR A1 Class 0-6-0 steam locomotive, on account of its distinctive "bark" when running<ref>{{cite book|last=Casserley |first=H.C.|author-link=H. C. Casserley|title=Steam Locomotives of British Railways|date=1978|orig-date=1973|edition=3rd|publisher=Hamlyn Books|page=52|isbn=0-600-02210-2|url=https://archive.org/details/steamlocomotives0000cass}}</ref> ; Thousands : Class 52 diesel-hydraulic locomotives (the "Westerns") given the number range beginning with D1000<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=This is the way to celebrate your 50th. birthday! |last=Wilson |first=Matt |page=27}}</ref> ; Thumper : Southern DEMU (BR Classes 201–207)—unlike conventional DMUs these used a single, comparatively large diesel engine and electric generator mounted immediately behind one driving cab. The power units made a distinctive "thumping" noise when working hard.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nicholson |first=Peter |date=July 2005 |title='Thumper' Trailer Finds a Home |magazine=The Railway Magazine |volume=151 |issue=1251 |page=84 }}</ref> ; Thunderbird : A locomotive kept on standby at a strategic location, ready to rescue a failed train—from ''Thunderbirds''<ref>{{cite web | title = Virgin rescue locomotives are F A B! | website = VirginTrainsMediaRoom.com | publisher = Virgin Trains | date = 17 December 2004 | url = http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=585 | access-date = 28 January 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061016073656/http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=585 | archive-date = 16 October 2006 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> ; Top and tail : A train with locomotives at both ends, for ease of changing direction ; Tractor : A British Rail Class 37 diesel-electric locomotive, possibly from the engine sound, also because they could be found hauling almost anything as a mixed-traffic design<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.traffordmodelcentre.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?product=TMC_Diesel!Class_37&cart_id=&exact_match=on |title=TMC Class 37 Product Page |access-date=26 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004102358/http://www.traffordmodelcentre.co.uk/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?product=TMC_Diesel!Class_37&cart_id=&exact_match=on |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ; Train driver : The operator of a locomotive<ref name="Trains Glossary E">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=E| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822154846/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=E| title=Railroading Glossary: E| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> ; Train engine : The locomotive closest to the train during a double-heading operation ; Train register : A book or loose-leaf sheets kept in a signal box and used to record the passage of trains, messages passed, and other prescribed events<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|395}} ; Train shed : The part of a railway station where the tracks and platforms are covered by a roof. Also known as an ''overall roof''. ; Triangle [[File:Wye.svg|thumb|A ''triangle'']] : Three railway tracks in a triangular form with points at all three corners—can be used to turn a train around<ref name="Trains Glossary W">{{cite web| url=http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=W| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830031157/http://trn.trains.com/Railroad%20Reference/Railroading%20Glossary.aspx?letter=W| title=Railroading Glossary: W| publisher=Kalmbach Publishing| website=TRN.Trains.com| access-date=20 February 2013| archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> ; Tug : A British Rail Class 60 diesel-electric locomotive, as named because of their tremendous pulling power, size and sluggish nature. Class 60s upgraded by DB Schenker are called 'Super Tugs'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tugtracker.co.uk/index.aspx |title=British Rail Class 60 |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828130122/http://www.tugtracker.co.uk/index.aspx |archive-date=28 August 2013 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
== U == ; U-Boat : A Southern Railway U class 2-6-0 steam locomotive<ref name="SR382">{{cite journal |last1=Brodrick |first1=Nick |title='U-Boat' Tender Lands at MHR |journal=Steam Railway |publisher=Bauer Media |issue=382 | date=12 November – 9 December 2010 |page=25}}</ref> ; Underbridge : A bridge carrying the railway and allowing a roadway to pass under the railway<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|408}} ; Up : A direction (usually towards London, other capital city, or the headquarters of the railway concerned) or side (on left-running railways, the left side when facing in the up direction). The opposite of down. The up direction is usually associated with even-numbered trains and signals.<ref name="Bosham 1908" />
== V == ; Van : A type of rolling stock with a flat bottom enclosed on all sides and top, which is loaded and unloaded from sliding doors on each side<ref name="Trains Glossary B"/><ref name="Welsh 2006 58"/>
== W == ; Warship : A D600 or D800 class diesel-hydraulic locomotives, most of which were named after Royal Navy vessels<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/d600m_in.htm |title=British Railways Western Region diesel-hydraulic locomotives: D600 'Warship' index}}</ref> ; Water crane : A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive ; Western : A British Rail Class 52 diesel-hydraulic type 4 locomotive, 74 of which ran on BR between 1961 and 1977. All were named in a series beginning "''Western...''". Seven of the class have been preserved.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=November 2007 |title=Western makes debut at Aberystwyth |page=8}}</ref> ; Whistler : A British Rail Class 40 diesel-electric locomotive, from the turbocharger sound; this nickname is also occasionally applied to British Rail Class 20 locomotives.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=The Railway Magazine |title=The Golden Jubilee of the Class 20s |date=July 2007 |pages=14–20}}</ref> ; Wizzo : A British Rail Class 52 diesel-hydraulic type 4 locomotive<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=March 2008 |title=A 'wizzo' in the west again |page=11}}</ref> ; Woolworth : A South Eastern and Chatham Railway N class 2-6-0 steam locomotive, built at Woolwich Arsenal<ref name="Jewell">{{cite book|first=Brian |last=Jewell| title=Down the line to Hastings |publisher=The Baton Press |location=Southborough |date=1984 |page=15 |isbn=0-85936-223-X}}</ref>
== Y == ; Yeoman : An early name for a Class 59 diesel-electric locomotive, the first privately owned (by Foster Yeoman) locomotives to operate on British Rail, owing to their names starting with "''Yeoman''" such as 59 001 ''Yeoman Endeavour''<ref name="Yeo">Supplement to April 1990 edition of ''Railway Magazine''</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Trains|Transport}} {{Div col|colwidth=25em}} * Glossary of Australian railway terms * Glossary of New Zealand railway terms * Glossary of North American railway terms * Glossary of rail transport terms * Passenger rail terminology {{div col end}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
United Kingdom Category:Rail transport in the United Kingdom Category:Wikipedia glossaries using description lists