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{| align=right
{{Use British English|date=December 2014}}
|-
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
| [[Image:Rail-trainspotters-amoswolfe.jpg|thumb|Trainspotters at [[Norwich railway station]]]]
{{Trainstopics}}
|-
| [[Image:170433 at Edinburgh Waverley.JPG|thumb|A [[First ScotRail]] [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170]] DMU in "Barbie" livery]]
|-
| [[Image:460007 at London Victoria.jpg|thumb|[[British Rail Class 460|Class 460]] EMUs are known as "Darth Vader"]]
|-
| [[Image:British Rail Class 08 Shunter - 08911 - National Railway Museum - York - 2005-10-15.jpg|thumb|A [[British Rail Class 08]] "Gronk"]]
|-
| [[Image:6024 King Edward I-21.jpg|thumb|Steam locomotives are known as "Kettles" by fans of more modern traction]]
|-
| [[Image:2402 'County of Hampshire' at Wool.JPG|thumb|A [[British Rail Class 442|Class 442]] "Plastic pig"]]
|-
| [[Image:EWS diesel locomotive 66188 at Cambridge station.jpg|thumb|The roof-shape on [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66]] diesel locos resembles that of a garden "[[garden shed|shed]]"]]
|-
| [[Image:Virgin Voyager 220003 2005-06-09 03.jpg|thumb|[[Virgin Trains]]' new [[British Rail Class 220|Class 220]] ''Voyager'' trains are not well liked - gaining the nickname "Vermin"]]
|}
This is a list of [[jargon]] commonly used by [[railfans]] and trainspotters in the [[United Kingdom]], including nicknames for various locomotives and multiple units.


This article contains a list of [[jargon]] used to varying degrees by [[Railfan|railway enthusiasts]], [[Trainspotters in the United Kingdom|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.
See also the [[list of US railfan jargon]] and the [[list of NZ railfan jargon]].


{{Compact TOC|side=yes|i=|q=|x=|z=}}
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{{compactTOC}}
{{listdev}}


==A==
== A ==
; [[Absolute block signalling]]
* '''Ash Tray''': Derogative term for a Steam Locomotive cf Kettle.
: A British [[Railway signalling|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>
* '''APT''': Advanced Passenger Train
; [[Railway signal#Aspects and indications|Aspect]]
* '''APT-E''': Experimental Advanced Passenger Train
: The indication displayed by a colour-light signal (e.g. a yellow aspect)
* '''APT-P''': Prototype Advanced Passenger Train
; [[GWR Autocoach|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==
== B ==
; Baby Deltic
* '''Baby Deltic''': [[British Rail Class 23|D5900 class locomotives]] constructed by the English Electric company, which mechanically speaking used a single Deltic engine/generator combination, as opposed to the two engines/generators layout of the much more successful [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] locomotives.
: [[British Rail Class 23|D5900 class]] [[Bo-Bo]] diesel-electric locomotives, constructed by the [[English Electric]] company. They used a single [[Napier Deltic]] engine/generator combination, as opposed to the two-engines layout and [[Co-Co locomotives|Co-Co]] wheel arrangement of the much longer [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic]] locomotives from the same manufacturer, to which they bore a very strong family resemblance.<ref>{{cite web | title = Recognition and Equipment Information – Class 23 | website = TheRailwayCentre.com | url = http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20Loco/Recognition%20loco/Illus_23.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030404182316/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Pages%20Loco/Recognition%20loco/Illus_23.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 4 April 2003 | access-date = 28 January 2008}}</ref>
* '''Baby Warship''': [[British Rail Class 22|North British D6300 class locomotives]] which used one engine coupled to a hydraulic transmission, making them effectively half a [[British Rail Class 41|D600 Warship]] or [[British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class)|NBL D800 Warship]].
; Baby Warship
* '''Bail''': The act of leaving the train before the end of the run. E.g. "We bailed at Caerphilly and went to the pub for lunch".
: [[British Rail Class 22|North British D6300 class locomotives]], which used one diesel engine coupled to a hydraulic transmission, making them effectively half a [[British Rail Class 41 (Warship Class)|D600 Warship]] or [[British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class)|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>
* '''Basher''': One whose object is to travel behind all locomotives of a given class, and/or cover as much mileage as possible behind the chosen class; a "track basher" attempts to cover as much of the rail network as possible.
; Bagpipes
* '''Barbie''': Livery of First Group's companies up until Feb 2006 - the name comes from the amount of purple and pink like something [[Barbie]] would own.
: [[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>
* '''Beast''': Term applied to a locomotive eliciting enthusiastic approval.
; Basils
* '''Bendy Bus''': A [[Pacer (train)|Pacer]] (class 142 or 143 DMU).
: 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}}</ref>
* '''Boat''': [[British Rail Class 55|Deltic locomotive]], because of the naval origins of the power units.
; Bed pan
* '''Bodysnatcher''': [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locos, made by transplanting a [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] reconditioned power unit and alternator into a [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]] bodyshell. Term used especially by Brush bashers who have not come to terms with their favourite locos being treated in this way.
: A name used for the service that used to operate between [[Bedford railway station|''Bed''ford]] and [[St Pancras railway station|London St. ''Pan''cras]]; this service has subsequently been replaced by cross-London service on the [[Thameslink (route)|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>
* '''Bog unit''': [[Diesel multiple unit]] - derogatory ("bog standard" and basic way to travel)
; [[Black Five]]
* '''Bomber''': [[British Rail Class 91]] - Referring to the high speed and dark blue [[GNER]] livery (also called Stealth Bomber)
: 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>
* '''Bone''': [[British Rail Class 58]] (Shape, the body is narrow with wide cabs, also "egg timer").
; Blood and Custard
* '''Bouncy castle''': [[Pacer (train)|Pacer]] units have only four wheels per coach and consequently very poor ride and body control on anything but smooth, well-maintained track. The bouncing inflicted on the passengers draws comparison with the [[bouncy castle]] children's play device.
: 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 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* '''Bowled''': An undesirable outcome, such as missing a train (if a move, especially a suicidal one, does not come off) or an undesired type of traction (often a [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]]) turning up. Analogy with the manner of, similarly disastrous, dismissal of a batsman in [[cricket]]. E.g. "I went to Exeter to bash the 50s but got bowled by a 47!"
; Bobby
* '''Brick''': [[British Rail Class 153]] - presumably from the boxy shape of the single-car units.
: 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>
* '''Brush''': [[British Rail Class 47]], also known as the Brush Type 4. Followers of this type are often known as "Brush bashers".
; Bodysnatcher
* '''Bubble car''': Single Railcar.
: [[British Rail Class 57]] diesel-electric locomotives—made by transplanting a [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] reconditioned power unit and alternator into a [[British Rail Class 47|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>
* '''Bucket''': [[British Rail Class 40|Class 40 locomotive]]. When new, these were the first British locos to have on-board toilet facilities for the driver. The alleged unreliability of these devices meant some drivers resorted to other means and methods.
[[File:Bettendorf truck at Illinois Railway Museum.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|[[William P. Bettendorf#Later career|Bettendorf]]-type freight car ''[[bogie (rail)|bogie]]'']]
; [[Bogie (rail)|Bogie]]
: The undercarriage assembly of rolling stock incorporating the [[train wheel]]s, suspension, brakes and, in powered units, the ''[[traction motor]]s''
; 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 [[#E|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">[http://www.c58lg.co.uk/html/class_58_history.html Class 58 Loco Group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129042233/http://www.c58lg.co.uk/html/class_58_history.html |date=29 January 2008 }}</ref>
; Bone Shaker
: [[London Underground A60 and A62 Stock]], due to the shakey ride of the old trains. The nickname was coined by an [[ITV Network|ITV]] News reporter during a report on the A Stock's last day of service on the Metropolitan Line.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://vimeo.com/50237651|title=Saying Goodbye to Oldest Tube Train|date=26 September 2012|publisher='[[London Tonight]]' – [[ITV London]]|access-date=28 September 2012}}</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.
; Brush
: [[British Rail Class 47]] diesel-electric locomotive, also known as the "Brush Type 4". Followers of this type are often known as "Brush bashers".
; Bubble car
: A [[British Rail Class 121]] or [[British Rail Class 121|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 |df=dmy-all }}</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&nbsp;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==
== C ==
; [[Cant (rail)|Cant]]
* '''Chopper''': [[British Rail Class 20|Class 20]] locomotive, either from the engine sound or because the single cab design gives a "one end bigger than the other" appearance bearing passing similarity with the [[Raleigh Chopper|Chopper bicycle design]].
: The superelevation angle of a track (the relative level of one rail to the other), typically around a curve
* '''Clayton''': [[British Rail Class 17|Class 17]] locomotive, manufactured by the [[Clayton Equipment]] company.
; Cape
* '''Clown''': A basher who doesn't have much idea of what he's doing. Also applied to a slow or unskilled train driver who can't keep time!
: 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 2009-02-12)''</ref>
* '''Coffin''': Applied to the first [[British Rail Mark 2|air conditioned mark 2 coaches]] which came with sealed windows in the passenger saloon. A locomotive enthusiast enjoys leaning out of the window (ideally not far enough to foul lineside structures although some serious injuries and deaths have been caused from over-enthusiastic leaning out) to hear the locomotive working more clearly. Coffins deny this pleasure and a rake of coffins on an enthusiast special train is likely to provoke adverse comment from those who pay good money to travel on such a train. Also can refer to the [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 DMU]] which is loosly based on the [[British Rail Mark 4|Mark 4 Coach]] and shares the sloping sides, the outline shape when viewed from the front is like an upsidedown coffin
; Car [[transporter wagon]] or car transporter van
* '''Crank''': Affectionate term for a fellow railway enthusiast.
: A specialized 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>
* '''Cranking''': Obtaining pleasure in a railway orientated situation.
;Cat
* '''Crompton''': [[British Rail Class 33]] locomotive (fitted with [[Crompton Parkinson]] electrical equipment).
: A British Rail [[British Rail Class 68|Class 68]] diesel-electric locomotive<ref name="simsig.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.simsig.co.uk/Forum/ThreadView/35376?page=3|title=Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames {{!}} SimSig - Simulator of Railway Signalling Systems|website=www.simsig.co.uk|access-date=2020-02-01}}</ref>
* '''Cyclops''': [[British Rail Class 67|Class 67]] (single-pane windscreens).
; {{Visible anchor|Cess}}[[File:CessOnLondonUnderground.png|thumb|upright=0.5|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}}
; [[Rail fastening system#Chairs|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
; [[Guard rails (railroad)|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 [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37]], or whitesmoked, as in Class 55) exhaust emissions of many older British diesel locomotives, especially, [[British Rail Class 52|Classes 52]] and [[British Rail Class 55|55]].<ref name=Clag>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071018022727/http://www.llangollen-diesels.co.uk/news%20archive2.htm Llangollen Diesels]</ref>
; [[Passenger car (rail)|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>
; [[British Rail coach type codes#Basic principles|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>
; [[Railway coupling|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 [[#S|Slim Jim]].


==D==
== D ==
; Darth Vaders
* '''Darth Vader''': [[British Rail Class 460]]. This refers to the nose shape which in the opinions of railfans resembles the mask of the Star Wars villain [[Darth Vader]].
: [[British Rail Class 460]] [[Alstom Coradia Juniper|Juniper]] electric multiple units (EMUs), so called due to their sloping cab ends, which resembled the front of the helmet worn by [[Darth Vader|the Star Wars villain of the same name]]
* '''Deltic''': [[British Rail Class 55]]. Britain's fastest and most powerful diesel passenger locomotive design. A unique complex & lightweight English Electric design utilising two Napier Deltic high speed engines. The prototype 'Deltic' was introduced in 1955 and it ran in Britain until 1960. When built it was the most powerful diesel locomotive in the world, developing 3,300 bhp. The 22 production locomotives ran from 1961 until 1982 hauling crack expresses on the East Coast mainline. Very popular with enthusiasts and noted for their unique sound the huge clouds of smoke when starting from cold.
; Deltics
* '''Dogbox''': A [[British Rail Class 153|Class 153]] single car. Name refers to the very small new cab created during the conversion from the 2 car Class 155.
: [[British Rail Class 55]] diesel-electric locomotives (the "Deltics"), which use twin Napier Deltic power units
* '''Doodlebug''': Siemens [[Desiro]] unit. From a nickname for the [[V-1 flying bomb]] - The Desiro is German built and in their earlier days were prone to blowing up (failing) without warning. Also a lesser known name for class 153 railcars - as with the [[V-1 flying bomb]], you're quite safe until the engine cuts out, and then you should start worrying.
; [[Detonator (railway)|Detonator]]
* '''Doughnut''': [[British Rail Class 60]]. The grill arrangement allows an observer to see though the engine compartment and out the other side. This unusual arrangement gave rise to the saying "if you can see through it - don't do it"!
: 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>
* '''Dreadful''': Exclamation denoting enthusiastic approval.
; Doodlebug
* '''Duff''': A [[British Rail Class 47]]. From the general slang use meaning "no good", from the time when Class 47s were so widespread as to be thoroughly uninteresting, or possibly due to early reliability problems of the class. A 47 turning up in place of the hoped-for traction became known as "duff gen", meaning unreliable information.
: Waggon und Maschinenbau [[British Rail Railbuses#First Generation BR Railbuses|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 [[Railroad directions|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
; [[Control car|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}}
[[File:321406 at Kings Cross 2.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|A [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321]] ''Dusty Bin'']]
; Dusty Bin
: [[British Rail Class 321]], from the game show [[3-2-1]], featuring the animated character "Dusty Bin"<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />
; 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/all-the-known-loco-and-multiple-unit-nicknames.103954/|title = ALL the known Loco and Multiple unit nicknames| date=28 July 2014 }}</ref>


==E==
== E ==
* '''Egg Timer''': Class 58 locomotive.
; Egg Timer
: [[British Rail Class 58]] diesel-electric locomotive<ref name="Bone" />
* '''EMU''': Electric Multiple Unit.


==F==
== F ==
[[File:FGW20040929-067.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|[[InterCity 125|HST]] power car (foreground) in FGW ''fag packet'' livery]]
* '''Flying Banana''': Originally referred to the large areas of yellow on the original [[High Speed Train]] livery, now is used to describe the [[New Measurement Train]] (a bright yellow converted HST).
; Fag packet livery
: The original livery of the [[First Great Western]] [[InterCity 125|HSTs]]—a green colour scheme, fading to [[ivory (color)|ivory]] with shiny gold stripe below the windows, so called because it resembles the packaging of a brand of Rothman's [[cigarette]]s ('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=2017-07-30|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 intersection|at grade]] and routings must therefore be controlled by [[Railway signal|signals]] and [[interlocking]]
; [[Flatcar|Flat wagon]]
: A type of rolling stock, which can be a flat-bottomed car with no sides on which freight (including [[intermodal container]]s) 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 railcars|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 [[InterCity 125|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|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}}</ref>


==G==
== G ==
; [[Good (economics)|Goods]]
* '''Gen''': Information, most particularly regarding locomotive movements and what might be working a particular train. The rise of the mobile phone and internet communication has made modern gen more long-term and less distinguishable from general rumour.
: The products which are carried
* '''GM''': [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] design locomotives such as the [[British Rail Class 59|Class 59]] and [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66]]. Either a neutral term or, by allusion to [[genetic modification]], a negative connotation (especially the 66s, which displaced many well-liked native British locomotive classes).
; [[Goods van]], [[goods wagon]], or goods truck, railway wagon, or wagon
* '''Goyle''': A [[British Rail Class 31]]; from "gargoyle" (the somewhat ungainly headcode boxes above the driving cabs).
: 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>
* '''Grid''', '''Grid iron''': A [[British Rail Class 56]], from the large grilles
; Goyle
* '''Gronk''': A [[British Rail Class 08|Class 08 Shunter]]
: 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>
* '''Growler''': A [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37]] (from the engine sound)
; 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>
[[File:British Rail Class 08 Shunter - 08911 - National Railway Museum - York - 2005-10-15.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|A [[British Rail Class 08]] ''Gronk'']]
; Gronk
: A [[British Rail Class 08]] or [[British Rail Class 09|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>
; [[Train guard|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==
== H ==
; [[Headshunt]]
* '''Heinz''': [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57 locomotive]], of which several ("57") varieties have appeared.
: 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 }}</ref>
* '''Hellfire''': Particularly noisy and/or smoky locomotive, though also applied to one in good mechanical health but being worked hard. For example "That little [[British Rail Class 27|Class 27]] slogging up the gradient was hellfire!" Generally taken as a term of enthusiast approval.
; Hoover
* '''Hoover''': [[British Rail Class 50]] (Sound of the engine cooling fans being similar to a [[vacuum cleaner]], prior to refurbishment which removed this characteristic; also "vacs").
: 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>
* '''HST''': [[High Speed Train]].
; Hymek
* '''Hymek''': [[British Rail Class 35|D7000 class locomotive]] using a V16 Maybach engine coupled to a Mekydro hydraulic transmission.
: A [[British Rail Class 35|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>
[[File:365537 B Stevenage.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|A [[British Rail Class 365|Class 365]] ''Happy Train'']]
; 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>


==I==
== J ==
; Javelin
* '''Insect''': Infestation found at the end of station platforms. Also applied to the huge numbers of young bashers who appeared in the 1980s after most of the rateable locos had gone.
: [[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 [[Rail tracks|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>


==J==
== K ==
; Kestrel
* '''Juniper''': Class 460 or Class 458 EMUs.
: A [[British Rail HS4000]]
; Key
: Timber or sprung steel block used to secure [[Bullhead rail]] into the [[Chair (railway)|chairs]]<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|187}}


==K==
== L ==
; Lamp
* '''Kettle''': [[Steam locomotive]]
: 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>
* '''Kit-kat''': The predominantly red livery used by Virgin Trains on its older stock
[[File:50049 Defiance.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Preserved [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50]] 50&nbsp;049 Defiance, in ''large-logo livery'']]
; 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 [[British Rail Class 50|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>
; Lightsaber
: The cutter's torch, coined by [[Modern Railways]] magazine as a pun on the Class 460 'Darth Vaders' having their front ends cut off as part of the amalgamation with the Class 458s{{Citation needed|date=November 2014}}
; 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>
; [[Passing loop|Loop]]
: A second parallel track (running for a short distance) on single-track railway lines, allowing a train to pass another


==L==
== M ==
; [[Main line (railway)|Main line]]
* '''Log''': [[British Rail Class 50|Class 50 locomotive]] (unreliability - i.e. "still as a log", or the long and square-ended body shape).
: 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 train|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 [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0|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>
;Milk Float
: A [[British Rail Class 313]] electric multiple unit, due to the distinctive humming sound made by this class of EMU<ref name="simsig.co.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL8jEtCTEy0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/nL8jEtCTEy0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Departing Polegate class 313 milk float on a Hastings to Brighton service|website=[[YouTube]]|date=25 October 2014|access-date=13 March 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
; Motion
: Collective term for the [[connecting rod]], [[coupling rod]]s, and [[valve gear]]—forms part of the [[Steam locomotive#Running gear|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|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 (steam engine)|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 [[Cutoff (steam engine)|cut off]] and vacuum ejectors in addition to his usual duties.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}
; MTVal
: A high-speed train consisting of one MTU engined power car, and one Valenta engined power car in the formation
;[[Multiple-unit train control|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" />


==M==
== N ==
; Networker Clubman
* '''Metrovick''': [[British Rail Class 28|D5700 class locomotive]] constructed by Metropolitan-Vickers.
: A [[British Rail Class 168]] Clubman unit with original front end, so called because it resembles the front end of a [[Networker (train)|Networker]]
* '''Monster''': Term applied to a locomotive eliciting enthusiastic approval. More emphatic than "beast".
; Normal
* '''Move''': In bashing terms, the act of riding on a train. Several types of "move" are used: a "positioning move" entails using a neutral (e.g. HST) or actively disliked (unit) type of traction, as a means of getting to a station or other location where a desirable form of traction may be taken. A "winning move" results in the desired outcome, e.g. a new loco scratched. "Suicidal moves" are those with very tight (ideally, non-existent) connections but with the potential for high reward should they come off (usually because the incoming train is running late). A series of successful suicidal moves may result in the person who successfully undertook them acquiring some bragging rights. A "fill-in move" uses otherwise wasted time productively.
: A non-enthusiast<ref name="Normal">{{cite journal |date=15 October 2009 |title=Steam Dreams passengers: 90% 'normals'|journal= Steam Railway |issue= 367|page=67}}</ref>
* '''Moose''': A Class 20, Comes from the long narrow moose like nose of the class 20


==N==
== O ==
; [[Open wagon]]
* '''NB''': Abbreviation of "no boiler". Originally just that: a (diesel) loco not equipped with steam heating apparatus. More recently, any loco with no train heating equipment of any kind. NB locos would normally be used on freight services, although they did appear on 1970s and 80s summer weekend passenger services when they weren't needed for freight and the lack of train heating was unimportant. The "hard to get" aspect of NB locos made them more rateable and an NB scratch could be highly prized.
: 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>
* '''NED''': An acronym for "new engine desperado". A person can be referred to as a NED if they go out for new engines or rare movements exclusively.
; Overbridge
* '''Nodding Donkey''': The [[Pacer (train)|Pacer]] family of DMUs (from outside a moving pacer has a bobbing motion, like a [[nodding dog]])
: 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}}


==O==
== P ==
; Peak
* '''Over-Doss''': To miss one's stop by being asleep.
: A [[British Rail Class 44]], [[British Rail Class 45|Class 45]], or [[British Rail Class 46|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>
[[File:2402 'County of Hampshire' at Wool.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|A [[British Rail Class 442|Class 442]] ''Plastic pig'']]
; 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}}
; Plastic pig
: A [[British Rail Class 442]], "Wessex Electrics" (electric multiple units)—so-named for being mostly made out of plastics in construction{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}}
; [[Point machine]]
: A motor or device which operates points
; [[Points (rail)|Points]]
: The articulating rails that determine the route to be taken
;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>
; Predator
: A [[British Rail Class 70 (diesel)|British Rail Class 70]], a reference to the alien of the same name from the American films{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}
[[File:RCBTHandcar.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|A ''[[Handcar|pump trolley]]'']]
; [[Handcar|Pump trolley]]
: A small, hand-powered railroad car used for track inspection


==P==
== R ==
; Rake
* '''Peak''': [[British Rail Class 44]], [[British Rail Class 45|Class 45]] or [[British Rail Class 46|Class 46]], so named because the ten Class 44s were named after mountains.
: 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>
* '''Plastic pig''': [[British Rail Class 442|Class 442]], the first train to use plastics extensively in construction. The name comes from the [[Reliant Robin]].
; Rat
* '''Proper train''': one with a locomotive (on the front) - i.e. not a unit. HSTs may or may not be proper trains depending on individual opinion.
: [[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}}</ref> See also [[#S|Splut]].
* '''Ped''': A Class 31, comes from their low power i.e. peddle car, mo-ped or pedestrian
; Rebel Alliance
: [[South West Trains]], coined by ''[[Modern Railways]]'' as a pun on the Darth Vader front ends of the {{brc|460}}s being cut off as part of the amalgamation with the Class 458 units (which amidst the pun was dubbed as their 'star fleet', all a pun on [[Star Wars]]){{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}
; Roarer
: Early British Rail 25&nbsp;kV AC electric locomotive of types 'AL1'–'AL5' (later Classes [[British Rail Class 81|81]], [[British Rail Class 82|82]], [[British Rail Class 83|83]], [[British Rail Class 84|84]], [[British Rail Class 85|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>
; [[British railway technical manuals#Documents produced by the Rail Safety and Standards Board|Rule Book]]
: The system of rules for the safe operation of the railway, maintained by the [[Rail Safety and Standards Board]].
; [[Trackage rights|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" />


==R==
== S ==
[[File:EWS diesel locomotive 66188 at Cambridge station.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|The roof shape on [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66]] diesel locos resembles that of a [[garden shed|garden ''shed'']].]]
* '''Rancid''': Exclamation denoting disapproval. Also "rancidity".
; Shed
* '''Rat''': A [[British Rail Class 25]] or related classes; the Scottish-based Class 26 and 27 were sometimes known as "MacRats". In their heyday, these locomotives were very widespread on the British railway network and, like the rodent, one was never far away.
: A Canadian-built [[British Rail Class 66|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>
* '''Roarer''': Early 25kV AC electric locomotive of [[British Rail Class 81|Class 81]] to [[British Rail Class 85|85]], so called because of the loud cooling fans.
; [[Shunter]]
* '''Run round''': The practice of detaching a locomotive from its train, driving it to the other end of the train and re-attaching it, to allow the train to proceed in the direction it has just come from (e.g. when it reaches its destination and forms a service in the other direction). The cost (owing to the need to employ specialist staff to perform the dirty task at track level of detaching and attaching the loco, plus the dedicated track layout required) and complexity of this simple-sounding manouevre is one reason why loco-hauled trains are now scarce in the UK.
:# 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" />
; [[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
: [[British Rail Class 142|Class 142]] DMUs<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Railways Illustrated |date=March 2008 |title=Cornish Capers |page=24}}</ref>
; Slack
: A temporary speed restriction to protect, for example, sections of track in poor condition and awaiting repair. Also applies to the timing tolerance included in timetable schedules to allow for such restrictions.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}
; [[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 [[British Rail Class 423|423]] and [[British Rail Class 421|421]]), so called after the noise made by passengers slamming the doors
[[File:Railroad tieswoodconcrete.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Wood (left track) and concrete (right track) ''sleepers'' beneath the rails]]
; [[Railroad tie|Sleeper]]
: 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 [[#C|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 [[Midland Railway 115 Class|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>
;Splut
: Another nickname for the [[British Rail Class 25]], referring to their habit of spluttering when their engines cut out and failed, which they often did.<ref>''Modern Railways Pictorial 1986'', page 110.</ref> See also [[#R|Rat]].
;[[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}}</ref>
;[[Subway (underpass)|Subway]]
: A tunnel passing underneath the railway tracks to allow passengers to cross from one platform to another
; Super 60
: A rebuilt class 60, upgraded by DBS. Mainly seen in an overall red livery, with half-yellow fronts, but a couple can be seen in the original Sector livery.
;[[Cant (road/rail)|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 [[#C|cant]].<ref name="Trains Glossary S" />


==S==
== T ==
; Tadpole
* '''Scratch''': The action of crossing off a loco in a spotting book, either because one has seen it or had it for haulage.
: A [[British Rail Class 206|3R]] [[diesel electric multiple unit]] (DEMU), named due to having two vehicles 8&nbsp;ft 2½&nbsp;in wide and one vehicle 9&nbsp;ft 3&nbsp;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>
* '''Screamer''': Given to [[British Rail Class 43 (HST)|British Rail Class 43]] HST powercars from the [[turbocharger|turbo]] howl - less common as powercars receive new and quieter engines.
; [[Tank engine]]
* '''Scud''': [[British Rail Class 153|Class 153]] unit. Allusions to [[scud|scud missiles]] (you're fine until the engine cuts out - modern British Rail "sprinter" diesel multiple units have all coaches powered with one engine - if one fails the others can keep the train moving; the 153 being a single car unit removes this advantage). This nickname is also applied to [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158 DMU]], and in the West Midlands to the prototype [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150 DMU]] Sprinter unit 150 001 .
: A locomotive that carries its own fuel and water instead of hauling a [[Tender locomotive|tender]]
* '''Shed''': A Canadian built [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66]] locomotive (from the roof shape and also the corrugated bodysides).
; Teddy Bear
* '''Shoebox''': [[British Rail Class 73|Class 73 locomotive]] (from the boxy body shape and third rail pick up shoes required for operation on the [[Southern Region]]).
: 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>
* '''Shop''': A [[British Rail Classes 220 and 221|Virgin Voyager]], from the self service shop that serves as the on board catering, Super Voyagers are sometimes known as 'Tilting Shops' or 'Super Shops'. Also by analogy with Southern Region EMU types (4-VEP, 4-CIG etc.), Voyagers may be referred to as 4-SHOPs.
; Ten foot
* '''Shoves'''/'''Shove Duffs''': [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] 47701-47717, modified in the 1970s for use on Edinburgh-Glasgow shuttles via push-pull control to avoid the need for running round at the end of each journey.
: 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" />
* '''Skinhead''': Term for one of the small number of [[British Rail Class 31|Class 31s]] built without roof-mounted headcode boxes.
; [[Terminal station|Terminus]] (UK)
* '''Skip''': [[British Rail Class 67|Class 67]], from the body profile which looks like an inverted rubbish skip.
: A station sited where a railway line or service ends or terminates
* '''Skoda''': [[British Rail Class 90]] - Styling reminiscent of a 1980s [[Škoda Auto|Škoda]].
[[File:W8FreshwaterKingscote.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|A preserved [[LB&SCR A1 Class|Southern A1 Class]] ''Terrier'']]
* '''Slapper''': [[High Speed Train]] - Referring to the slam door rake of Mk. 3 coaches.
; Terrier
* '''Snail''': [[British Rail Class 31]] - from its lack of power (also '''Ped''' as an abbreviation of "pedestrian"; "Rancid Peds from Immingham shed").
: 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.|title=Steam Locomotives of British Railways|date=1961|edition=1978|publisher=Hamlyn Books|page=52|isbn=0-600-02210-2}}</ref>
* '''Spamcan''': [[SR West Country Class]] Bulleid pacific.
; Theatre indicator
* '''Spearmint Polo''': [[British Rail Class 175]] - The new Arriva Trains Wales 175 livery is a Spearmint Polo or a TUBE of Polos when 3car and coming towards you.
: An illuminated number usually attached to [[Railway signal|signal]] indicating arrival [[Railway platform|platform]] for train approaching a station{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}
* '''Spoon''': [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]], deriving from the high-pitched two-tone horn sound: onomatapaeically "Spoo-oon!"
; Thousands
* '''Stealth Bomber''': [[British Rail Class 91]] - High speed, quiet and with dark blue [[GNER]] livery (also the associated passenger coaches that the 91s usually haul).
: [[British Rail Class 52|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>
* '''Super Skoda''': [[British Rail Class 91]] - similar styling to the Class 90.
; Thumper
: Southern DEMU (BR Classes [[British Rail Class 201|201]]–[[British Rail Class 207|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 (TV series)|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>
; Toothpaste
: The livery used by Network SouthEast. So called due to the red, white and blue colours resembling the colours of striped toothpaste.<ref>{{cite web|title=Class 465 Liveries|url=http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/liveries/465liv/index.html|page=1|publisher=Southern Electric Group|website=SouthernElectric.org.uk|access-date=15 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009031234/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/liveries/465liv/index.html|archive-date=9 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2014}}
; [[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>
[[File:465034 at Waterloo East.JPG|thumb|upright=0.5|A class 465 in Network SouthEast ''Toothpaste'' livery]]
; 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''.
[[File:Wye.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|A ''[[Wye (rail)|triangle]]'']]
; [[Wye (rail)|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 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


==T==
== U ==
; U-Boat
* '''Thousands''': [[British Rail Class 52|Class 52 diesel-hydraulic locos]] given the number range beginning with D1000.
: A [[Southern Railway (Great Britain)|Southern Railway]] [[SR U Class|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>
* '''Thumper''': Southern DEMU - unlike conventional DMUs these used a single, comparatively large engine mounted immediately behind one driving cab. The power units made a distinctive "thumping" noise when working hard.
; Underbridge
* '''Tractor''': A [[British Rail Class 37]], possibly from the engine sound, also because they could be found hauling almost anything as a mixed-traffic design.
: A bridge carrying the railway and allowing a roadway to pass under the railway<ref name="EllisEngEncyclopaedia" />{{Rp|408}}
* '''Tram''': Original nickname for a HST set (possibly from the frequency of services operated by these units, also the double-ended design means one cannot immediately discern the direction of travel from a static shot).
; Up
* '''Tugs''': [[British Rail Class 60]]; a heavy freight design with very low gearing that can haul immensely heavy trains.
: A [[Railroad directions|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==
== V ==
; [[Goods van|Van]]
* '''Veg''': General term of abuse for ''spotters'' or 'Neds'.
: 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"/>
* '''Vermin''': [[Virgin Trains]] (derogatory)
* '''Vomit Comets''': [[British Rail Classes 220 and 221|Virgin Voyager]] units, allusion to [[NASA]] astronaut-training devices which went round corners very quickly and exerted high g-forces on the occupants. The Voyagers replaced popular loco-hauled trains and the nickname also implies the feelings many enthusiasts have for them.


==W==
== W ==
; Warship
* '''Wagons''': [[British Rail Class 44]], [[British Rail Class 45|Class 45]] or [[British Rail Class 46|Class 46]], sturdily-constructed designs with four axle bogies to spread their weight: "Sixteen wheels on my wagon".
* '''Warship''': [[British Rail Class 41|D600]] or [[British Rail Class 42|D800]] class locomotives, most of which were named after [[Royal Navy]] vessels.
: A [[British Rail Class 41 (Warship Class)|D600]] or [[British Rail Class 42|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 column (railroad)|Water crane]]
* '''Wessie''': [[British Rail Class 442|Class 442]] (from the Wessex Electric brand used at launch)
: A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive
* '''Whistler''': [[British Rail Class 40]], from the engine sound.
; Wessie
: A [[British Rail Class 442]] electric multiple unit—from the "Wessex Electric" brand name used at launch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/rolling-stock/442/442intro01.html |title=SEG 442 Features Introduction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227165951/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/features/rolling-stock/442/442intro01.html |archive-date=27 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
; 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]] [[SECR N class|N class]] [[2-6-0]] steam locomotive, built at [[Royal Arsenal|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>
; Worst or WorstGroup
: A derogatory nickname for FirstGroup, especially on First Great Western "Worst Late Western" (since re-branded as [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Benke |first1=Mike |title=First Great Western extend franchise until 2019 - largest train fleet upgrade in generation |url=http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/archive/2015/03/23/11872796.UPDATE__First_Great_Western_extend_franchise_until_2019___largest_train_fleet_upgrade_in_generation/?ref=arc |access-date=24 March 2015 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402192557/http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/archive/2015/03/23/11872796.UPDATE__First_Great_Western_extend_franchise_until_2019___largest_train_fleet_upgrade_in_generation/?ref=arc |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=First Great Western to become a thing of the past as Great Western Railway launched|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/13771735.First_Great_Western_to_become_a_thing_of_the_past_as_Great_Western_Railway_launched/|access-date=20 September 2015|work=Wiltshire Gazette & Herald|date=20 September 2015}}</ref>) and [[First Capital Connect]] "Worst Crapital Disconnect" (since ceased operations<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rail-franchising-deal-set-to-transform-passenger-services-across-london-and-south-east |title=New rail franchising deal set to transform passenger services across London and south east |publisher=Department for Transport |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014 }}</ref>) or [[Hull Trains|First Hull Trains]] "Worst Hell Trains"


==Z==
== Y ==
; Yeoman
: An early name for a [[British Rail Class 59|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 ==
* '''Zing''': An older term for [[British Rail class 253/254]] High Speed Trains [[HST]]. From the sound of the power cars as they speed past.
{{Portal|Trains|Transport}}
* '''Zombie''': Another term to describe classic locomotives which are re-engined with a modern engine. Usually applied to class 57 locomotives. See also '''Bodysnatcher'''.
{{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}}


==External links==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
* [http://www.rodge.force9.co.uk/faq/nicknames.html uk.railway newsgroup FAQ - loco nicknames]


[[Category:Rail transport in Great Britain]]
[[Category:Glossaries of rail transport|United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rail transport in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Wikipedia glossaries using description lists]]

Latest revision as of 03:13, 24 September 2024

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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.

A

[edit]
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[1]
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

[edit]
Baby Deltic
D5900 class Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives, constructed by the English Electric company. They used a single Napier Deltic engine/generator combination, as opposed to the two-engines layout and Co-Co wheel arrangement of the much longer Deltic locomotives from the same manufacturer, to which they bore a very strong family resemblance.[2]
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[3]
Bagpipes
British Rail Class 33/1 locomotives, specifically those fitted for push-pull working with 4TC stock[4]
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.[5]
Bed pan
A name used for the service that used to operate between Bedford and London St. Pancras; 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.[6][7]
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.[8]
Blood and Custard
The Crimson and Cream livery used on BR's coaches during the 1950s and 60s[9]
Bobby
A signaller. From Robert Peel; originally, the railway police were responsible for signalling.[10]
Bodysnatcher
British Rail Class 57 diesel-electric locomotives—made by transplanting a General Motors reconditioned power unit and alternator into a Class 47 bodyshell[11]
Bettendorf-type freight car bogie
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[12][13]
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.[14]
Bone Shaker
London Underground A60 and A62 Stock, due to the shakey ride of the old trains. The nickname was coined by an ITV News reporter during a report on the A Stock's last day of service on the Metropolitan Line.[15]
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.
Brush
British Rail Class 47 diesel-electric locomotive, also known as the "Brush Type 4". Followers of this type are often known as "Brush bashers".
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.[16][17][18]
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

[edit]
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[19]
Car transporter wagon or car transporter van
A specialized freight car for transporting automobiles[20][21]
Cat
A British Rail Class 68 diesel-electric locomotive[22]
Cess
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[23]: 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[24]
Chimney, funnel, or stack
A smokestack
Chopper
British Rail Class 20 diesel-electric locomotive[25]
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.)[26]
Clag
Originally used to describe the exhaust of steam locomotives, "clag" is a term describing the often spectacular [according to whom?] (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.[27]
Coach
Railway vehicle for use in passenger trains[28][29]
Coffee pot
Applied to the shape of SR Q1 class steam locomotives[30]
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[31]
Coupling (UK)
The mechanical connector at either end of a railway carriage allowing it to couple together with other carriages to form a train[32]
Crompton
British Rail Class 33 diesel-electric locomotive (fitted with Crompton Parkinson electrical equipment).[33] See also Slim Jim.

D

[edit]
Darth Vaders
British Rail Class 460 Juniper electric multiple units (EMUs), so called due to their sloping cab ends, which resembled the front of the helmet worn by the Star Wars villain of the same name
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[34]
Doodlebug
Waggon und Maschinenbau railbuses E79960-64, introduced 1958[35]
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).[23]: 104 [36]
Drain
The Waterloo & City line, a short line in London, is nicknamed "The Drain".[37]
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[38]
Driving Van Trailer (DVT)
A class of control car[citation needed]
A Class 321 Dusty Bin
Dusty Bin
British Rail Class 321, from the game show 3-2-1, featuring the animated character "Dusty Bin"[23]
Dutch
The livery of British Rail Civil Engineers department rolling stock, due to the resemblance of Nederlandse Spoorwegen's corporate livery[39]
Dyson
British Rail Class 92.[40]

E

[edit]
Egg Timer
British Rail Class 58 diesel-electric locomotive[14]

F

[edit]
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')[41]
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.[42]
Fishplate
A metal plate that joins the ends of rails in jointed track[43]
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.[44]
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.[45][46] 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.[47][48][49][50][51]
Flying Banana
The first design of GWR diesel railcars, introduced in 1932.[52] This has since been adopted for the Network Rail New Measurement Train, due to its all-over yellow livery.[53] Also occasionally used to describe the High Speed Train.[54]
Formation
The group of rail vehicles making up a train, or more commonly a group of locomotives connected together for multiple-unit (MU) operation[32][failed verification]
Four foot
The area between the running rails of a standard-gauge track; the actual distance is 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm). See also six-foot and ten-foot.[23]: 141 [55]

G

[edit]
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[56][57]
Goyle
A British Rail Class 31 diesel-electric locomotive—from "gargoyle" (after the somewhat ungainly headcode boxes above the driving cabs)[58]
Gricer
A rail enthusiast[59][60][61]
Grid or grid iron
A British Rail Class 56 diesel-electric locomotive, from the large grilles[62]
A British Rail Class 08 Gronk
Gronk
A British Rail Class 08 or Class 09 shunter[63]
Growler
A British Rail Class 37 diesel-electric locomotive (from the engine sound)[64]
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[54]

H

[edit]
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[65]
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[66]
Hymek
A D7000 class locomotive using a V16 Maybach diesel engine coupled to a Mekydro hydraulic transmission[67]
A Class 365 Happy Train
Happy Train
A British Rail Class 365 because their revised front end resembles a grinning face.[68]

J

[edit]
Javelin
British Rail Class 395 electric multiple units, due to their usage during the London 2012 Summer Olympics on Olympic Javelin Shuttle services[69]
Joint station
A railway station at which tracks and facilities are shared by two or more railways[70]

K

[edit]
Kestrel
A British Rail HS4000
Key
Timber or sprung steel block used to secure Bullhead rail into the chairs[23]: 187 

L

[edit]
Lamp
A portable (often handheld) light source that is used to signal train crews[71]
Preserved Class 50 50 049 Defiance, in large-logo livery
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.[72]
Lightsaber
The cutter's torch, coined by Modern Railways magazine as a pun on the Class 460 'Darth Vaders' having their front ends cut off as part of the amalgamation with the Class 458s[citation needed]
Location case
A trackside cabinet used to house signalling equipment such as relays or transformers[23]: 204 [73]
Loop
A second parallel track (running for a short distance) on single-track railway lines, allowing a train to pass another

M

[edit]
Main line
A principal artery of a railway system[74]
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[75]
Mickey Mouse
An Ivatt 2MT class 2-6-0 steam locomotive[76]
Milk Float
A British Rail Class 313 electric multiple unit, due to the distinctive humming sound made by this class of EMU[22][77]
Motion
Collective term for the connecting rod, coupling rods, and valve gear—forms part of the running gear[78]
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]
MTVal
A high-speed train consisting of one MTU engined power car, and one Valenta engined power car in the formation
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".[74]

N

[edit]
Networker Clubman
A British Rail Class 168 Clubman unit with original front end, so called because it resembles the front end of a Networker
Normal
A non-enthusiast[79]

O

[edit]
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[24][80]
Overbridge
A bridge over the railway[23]: 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[23]: 246, 326 

P

[edit]
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[81]
A Class 442 Plastic pig
Person in charge of possession (PICOP)
The railway or contractor's official responsible for safe working during engineer's possession[23]: 259 
Plastic pig
A British Rail Class 442, "Wessex Electrics" (electric multiple units)—so-named for being mostly made out of plastics in construction[citation needed]
Point machine
A motor or device which operates points
Points
The articulating rails that determine the route to be taken
Possession
Closure of a section of railway for engineering or track renewal purposes[82]
Predator
A British Rail Class 70, a reference to the alien of the same name from the American films[citation needed]
A pump trolley
Pump trolley
A small, hand-powered railroad car used for track inspection

R

[edit]
Rake
A set of rolling stock coupled together[83][84]
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";[85] the Scottish-based Class 26 and 27 were sometimes known as "MacRats".[86] See also Splut.
Rebel Alliance
South West Trains, coined by Modern Railways as a pun on the Darth Vader front ends of the Class 460s being cut off as part of the amalgamation with the Class 458 units (which amidst the pun was dubbed as their 'star fleet', all a pun on Star Wars)[citation needed]
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.[87]
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[34]

S

[edit]
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)[88]
Shunter
  1. A small locomotive used for assembling trains and moving Railway wagons around[89]
  2. A person involved in such work[89]
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[23]: 341 
Silver bullet
China Clay slurry wagons[90]
Six foot
The space between a pair of adjacent lines, nominally six feet wide. See also four-foot and ten-foot.[23]: 336 [55]
Skipper
Class 142 DMUs[91]
Slack
A temporary speed restriction to protect, for example, sections of track in poor condition and awaiting repair. Also applies to the timing tolerance included in timetable schedules to allow for such restrictions.[citation needed]
Slack action
Looseness in a train caused by mating clearances in couplers[89]
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
Wood (left track) and concrete (right track) sleepers beneath the rails
Sleeper
Bars of wood or concrete placed beneath and perpendicular to track to support the rails[34]
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.[54] 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.[23]: 339 [92]
Spinner
A Midland Railway 115 Class steam locomotive, due to their large driving wheels[93]
Splut
Another nickname for the British Rail Class 25, referring to their habit of spluttering when their engines cut out and failed, which they often did.[94] See also Rat.
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.[95]
Subway
A tunnel passing underneath the railway tracks to allow passengers to cross from one platform to another
Super 60
A rebuilt class 60, upgraded by DBS. Mainly seen in an overall red livery, with half-yellow fronts, but a couple can be seen in the original Sector livery.
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.[89]

T

[edit]
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[96]
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.[88] Coined by Swindon Works' foreman George Cole who quipped "We've built the Great Bear, now we're going to build a Teddy Bear!".[97]
Ten foot
The space between sets of lines (e.g. between pairs of fast and slow lines). See also four-foot and six-foot.[23]: 373 [55]
Terminus (UK)
A station sited where a railway line or service ends or terminates
A preserved Southern A1 Class Terrier
Terrier
The LB&SCR A1 Class 0-6-0 steam locomotive, on account of its distinctive "bark" when running[98]
Theatre indicator
An illuminated number usually attached to signal indicating arrival platform for train approaching a station[citation needed]
Thousands
Class 52 diesel-hydraulic locomotives (the "Westerns") given the number range beginning with D1000[99]
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.[100]
Thunderbird
A locomotive kept on standby at a strategic location, ready to rescue a failed train—from Thunderbirds[101]
Toothpaste
The livery used by Network SouthEast. So called due to the red, white and blue colours resembling the colours of striped toothpaste.[102][failed verification]
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[103]
A class 465 in Network SouthEast Toothpaste livery
Train driver
The operator of a locomotive[104]
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[23]: 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.
A triangle
Triangle
Three railway tracks in a triangular form with points at all three corners—can be used to turn a train around[105]
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'.[106]

U

[edit]
U-Boat
A Southern Railway U class 2-6-0 steam locomotive[107]
Underbridge
A bridge carrying the railway and allowing a roadway to pass under the railway[23]: 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.[36]

V

[edit]
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[56][57]

W

[edit]
Warship
A D600 or D800 class diesel-hydraulic locomotives, most of which were named after Royal Navy vessels[108]
Water crane
A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive
Wessie
A British Rail Class 442 electric multiple unit—from the "Wessex Electric" brand name used at launch[109]
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.[110]
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.[111]
Wizzo
A British Rail Class 52 diesel-hydraulic type 4 locomotive[112]
Woolworth
A South Eastern and Chatham Railway N class 2-6-0 steam locomotive, built at Woolwich Arsenal[113]
Worst or WorstGroup
A derogatory nickname for FirstGroup, especially on First Great Western "Worst Late Western" (since re-branded as Great Western Railway[114][115]) and First Capital Connect "Worst Crapital Disconnect" (since ceased operations[116]) or First Hull Trains "Worst Hell Trains"

Y

[edit]
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[117]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ellis, Iain (2006). Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia. Lulu.com. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7.
  2. ^ "Recognition and Equipment Information – Class 23". TheRailwayCentre.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  3. ^ "British Railways Western Region diesel-hydraulic locomotives: D6300 index".
  4. ^ Blackburn, Ian. "Waterloo-Weymouth push-pull trains". Railway Modeller. No. March 2012. Peco Publications. pp. 226–31. ISSN 0033-8931.
  5. ^ Bristow, Tom (10 December 2019). "Citrus oil - Greater Anglia's secret ingredient to get its new trains back on track". Eastern Evening News. Archant Media Ltd. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  6. ^ Gourvish, Terence Richard (2002). British Rail, 1974–97: From Integration to Privatisation. Oxford University Press. p. 182. ISBN 0-19-926909-2.
  7. ^ Green-Hughes, Evan (November 2007). "Rogart 127 to head south". Railways Illustrated: 38.
  8. ^ Thomas, Cliff (July 2005). "'Alderman A E Draper' name back on 'Black Five'". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 151, no. 1251. p. 64.
  9. ^ "South Devon Railway Ex GWR Coach 276". Archived from the original on 4 August 2007.
  10. ^ Jackson, Alan A. (2006) [1992]. The Railway Dictionary: Worldwide Railway Facts and Terminology (4th ed.). Chalford: Sutton Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7509-4218-8.
  11. ^ "Nicknames". Archived from the original on 24 March 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  12. ^ "Booking Clerk". En.OxfordDictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Volunteer Booking Clerk Vacancies". WatercressLine.co.uk. Watercress Line. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  14. ^ a b Class 58 Loco Group Archived 29 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ "Saying Goodbye to Oldest Tube Train". 'London Tonight' – ITV London. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  16. ^ Milner, Chris (July 2005). "SWT 'bubble' named". The Railway Magazine. Vol. 151, no. 1251. p. 77.
  17. ^ "Our Trains – Chiltern Railways". Archived from the original on 11 April 2008.
  18. ^ Green-Hughes, Evan (November 2007). "McDonald sells his four DMU cars". Railways Illustrated: 36.
  19. ^ British Railway Telegraphic Codewords Archived 28 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine – from booklet BR30064 (accessed 2009-02-12)
  20. ^ "Railroading Glossary: A". TRN.Trains.com. Kalmbach Publishing. Archived from the original on 31 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  21. ^ Barry, Steve (2008). Railroad Rolling Stock. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press, an imprint of MBI Publishing Company. pp. 64–65. ISBN 978-0-7603-3260-3.
  22. ^ a b "Locomotive & Rolling Stock Nicknames | SimSig - Simulator of Railway Signalling Systems". www.simsig.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Ellis, Iain (2006). Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7.
  24. ^ a b "Railroading Glossary: G". TRN.Trains.com. Kalmbach Publishing. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  25. ^ "'At least 20 20s' for Barrow Hill diesel jubilee". The Railway Magazine. July 2007. p. 9.
  26. ^ "Report on the Accident at Metropolitan Junction on 13th September 1924". Railways Archive. Retrieved 12 April 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ^ Llangollen Diesels
  28. ^ Pritchard, Robert; Hall, Peter (2013). British Railways, Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2013. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-909431-02-7.
  29. ^ Mallaband, P.; Bowles, L. J. (1982). Coaching Stock of British Railways 1978. RCTS Railway Correspondence and Travel Society. p. 3. ISBN 0-901115-44-4.
  30. ^ "Kent Rail: Bulleid Class Q1".
  31. ^ White (1968), p 465-466.
  32. ^ a b "Railroading Glossary: C". TRN.Trains.com. Kalmbach Publishing. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
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