Crushed rocks placed underneath rail tracks to provide a stable foundation for trains to operate over by providing improved drainage.
The railway is divided into sections for operating and safeworking purposes. The start and end of each section is known in Australia and the US as a Block Point, and in the UK as a Block Section boundary (or simply End of Section). In older times these would have mostly had a signal box, but no longer do with the advent of modern signalling and electronic operating systems. The words "Block Point" or initials "BP" are still widely used to define the location, and in many cases this also defines the limit to which a train may run (or shunt) without a further permission being obtained.
If you think of a city street with traffic lights at every intersection, then each set of lights would represent a block point.
When used in the context of a locomotive or other item of rolling stock, this is the stage prior to disposal. The operator marks the item as condemned and writes them off prior to sale. In most cases, this is the stage prior to disposal for scrap.
Example: The NSWGR condemned 4305 on the 4th of February 1977. It was scrapped in January 1978.
The carriages, locomotives, freight cars etc. used to make up a train
Example: A motorail wagon has been attached to the Overland consist.
A section of duplicated track allowing trains to pass each other. Found mainly on single-track sections of a rail line.
When a locomotive is described as being "dead attached", this means that it is not online or contributing to the haulage of the train. This is commonly used to transfer locomotives from one depot to another, and is done to avoid wasting fuel when the additional horsepower is now required. Inoperable locomotives are typically transferred in this manner to/from repairs.
Example: 3128 empty fuel train was hauled from Cootamundra to Sydney by X51, X50 and X52. 48114 and 4886 were hauled dead attached.
An explosive device placed on rails to warn of a hazard ahead, most commonly used by Way & Works teams.
A large metal nail driven into timber sleepers used to fix the rail to the sleeper.
A train heading away from Flinders Street Station
Example: The 0930 Down from Southern Cross to Kyneton
Where a railway line crosses over or under a roadway by means of an embankment, or vice versa.
Ie, it provides vertical seperation of road and rail traffic whereas a level crossing does not.
A rail enthusiast. An individual who goes out watching, photographing, or riding trains for pleasure.
Extra boards added to the side of the coal carrying area, used to increase the coal capacity of a locomotive.
A locomotive's or carriage's painted colour scheme. Usually corporate colours these days. In the past more often one or two solid colours with pin-striping.
A term used to describe a locomotive or item of rolling stock that has been restored and returned to service by a heritage group (for example, the NSW Rail Transport Museum). The locomotive or rolling stock has often been repainted into a heritage livery, and is used (in most cases exclusively) on heritage trains for the enjoyment of the public.
Example: Steam locomotive 3642 is preserved in an operational condition by the NSW Rail Transport Museum, and it is used around NSW on tour trains.
This term is used to describe locomotives or rolling stock that have been set aside and restored (typically by volunteers) to represent a previous era of life. Some locomotives are realistically not able to be returned to an operational condition, and they will be cosmetically restored and placed in a museum, or in a park. The locomotive or rolling stock in question is unable to operate on a train, although it is usually on display for the general public to enjoy.
Example: The NSW Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere features many statically preserved locomotives on display.
A term used when a locomotive is returned to service following a period of time in storage.
Example: T390 was reactivated by Pacific National at Dynon.
A term used when a locomotive previously in commercial service or storage has been returned to operational condition, usually in an original or otherwise heritage colour scheme. Many commercial locomotives that enter preservation require some degree of work to bring the locomotive up to a reliable operational condition. Locomotives that have been run down or in long term storage, perhaps with missing parts typically require a lot of work to be returned to service.
This term is also used when stored/retired locomotives have been preserved and made into static displays, typically with a fresh coat of paint and an overall clean.
Example: The NSWRTM restored 4001 to operational condition.
A Victorian notice distributed by the railway operator describing a special train on the main line (eg a steam charter) but not part of the Master Train Plan.
A person (or a locomotive) assisting in, or overseeing the shunting trains at a yard.
A section of track used for storing trains. Often found in groups.
Term used to describe a locomotive that is set aside for a period of time. In most cases of long term storage, exhaust stacks are covered/capped, batteries are removed and all fluids drained. For short term storage, locomotives are often parked "as is" and remain in-situ for weeks or months. In many cases, long term storage is a precursor to withdrawal and scrapping.
Example: V/Line placed A60 into storage at Dynon.
A train heading towards Flinders Street Station
Example: The Up 0720 service departed Ballarat toward Spencer Street 1 minute early
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