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Glossary Of Australian Railway Terms
This article lists some of the jargon, terminology used at present and in the past by Australian railway employees, contractors, railway historians and railfans, railway enthusiasts. Many of the terms appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. Significant regional variations have existed, indicated when applicable in this glossary by abbreviations of the state (e.g. Vic, NSW) or railway (e.g. SAR). Throughout Australia, much terminology has persisted since the colonial period, when British technology predominated. In the case of the former South Australian Railways, however, many North American terms and practices were introduced during the incumbency of William Alfred Webb, the American railways commissioner of the SAR between 1922 and 1930. SAR employees' enthusiasm for US railroad developments perpetuated these terms. B ; Bandicoot (Qld) : An Electric multiple unit (Queensland Rail), electric multiple unit (EMU) with a distinctive grey band paint ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jargon
Jargon, or technical language, is the specialized terminology associated with a particular field or area of activity. Jargon is normally employed in a particular Context (language use), communicative context and may not be well understood outside that context. The context is usually a particular occupation (that is, a certain trade, profession, vernacular or academic field), but any ingroups and outgroups, ingroup can have jargon. The key characteristic that distinguishes jargon from the rest of a language is its specialized vocabulary, which includes terms and definitions of words that are unique to the context, and terms used in a narrower and more exact sense than when used in colloquial language. This can lead In-group and out-group, outgroups to misunderstand communication attempts. Jargon is sometimes understood as a form of technical slang and then distinguished from the official terminology used in a particular field of activity. The terms ''jargon'', ''slang,'' and ''argot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caboose
A caboose is a crewed North American railroad car coupled at the end of a freight train. Cabooses provide shelter for crew at the end of a train, who were formerly required in switching and shunting; as well as in keeping a lookout for load shifting, damage to equipment and cargo, and overheating axles. Originally flatcars fitted with cabins or modified box cars, they later became purpose-built, with bay windows above or to the sides of the car to allow crew to observe the train. The caboose also served as the conductor's office, and on long routes, included sleeping accommodations and cooking facilities. A similar railroad car, the brake van, was used on British and Commonwealth railways outside North America (the role has since been replaced by the crew car in Australia). On trains not fitted with continuous brakes, brake vans provided a supplementary braking system, and they helped keep chain couplings taut. Cabooses were used on every freight train in the United ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rail Fastening System
A rail fastening system is a means of fixing Rail profile, rails to railroad ties (North America) or sleepers (British Isles, Australasia, and Africa). The terms ''rail anchors'', ''tie plates'', ''chairs'' and ''track fasteners'' are used to refer to parts or all of a rail fastening system. The components of a rail fastening system may also be known collectively as other track material, or OTM for short. Various types of fastening have been used over the years. History and overview The earliest wooden rails were fixed to wooden sleepers by pegs through holes in the rail, or by nails. By the 18th century, cast iron rails had come into use, and also had holes in the rail itself to allow them to be fixed to a support. 18th century developments such as the flanged rail and fish bellied rail also had holes in the rail itself; when stone block sleepers were used the nails were driven into a wooden block which had been inserted into a recess in the block. The first chair for a rail is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Detonator
A detonator is a device used to make an explosive or explosive device explode. Detonators come in a variety of types, depending on how they are initiated (chemically, mechanically, or electrically) and details of their inner working, which often involve several stages. Types of detonators include non-electric and electric. Non-electric detonators are typically stab or pyrotechnic while electric are typically "hot wire" (low voltage), exploding bridge wire (high voltage) or explosive foil (very high voltage). The original electric detonators invented in 1875 independently by Julius Smith and Perry Gardiner used mercury fulminate as the primary explosive. Around the turn of the century performance was enhanced in the Smith-Gardiner blasting cap by the addition of 10-20% potassium chlorate. This compound was superseded by others: lead azide, lead styphnate, some aluminium, or other materials such as DDNP ( diazo dinitro phenol) to reduce the amount of lead emitted into the atm ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victorian Railways
The Victorian Railways (VR), trading from 1974 as VicRail, was the state-owned operator of most rail transport in the Australian state of Victoria from 1859 to 1983. The first railways in Victoria were private companies, but when these companies failed or defaulted, the Victorian Railways was established to take over their operations. Most of the lines operated by the Victorian Railways were of . However, the railways also operated up to five Narrow gauge lines of the Victorian Railways, narrow gauge lines between 1898 and 1962, and a line between Albury railway station, Albury and Melbourne from 1961. History Formation A Department of Railways (1858–71), Department of Railways was created in 1856 with the first appointment of staff. British engineer, George Christian Darbyshire was made first Engineer-in-Chief in 1857, and steered all railway construction work until his replacement by Thomas Higinbotham in 1860. In late 1876, New York consulting engineer Walton Evans arran ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
DERM
The Diesel Electric Rail Motor (DERM) is a type of railmotor operated by the Victorian Railways in Australia. History Originally built as a petrol electric rail motor (PERM), they were the longest-lived rail motor on the Victorian Railways, with the first entering service in 1928 and the last being withdrawn in 1991. The rail motor, also known as the railcar, was a standard product of the US Electro-Motive Corporation (a predecessor of Electro-Motive Diesel) and built between 1924 and 1932, albeit to a smaller loading gauge and wider track gauge. The first was imported in 1927, assembled at Newport Workshops, and placed in service in 1928. The bodies of the remaining nine were constructed at Newport Workshops using imported equipment and electrical components, and placed in service between 1930 and 1931. The rail motors were initially powered by a Winton Motor Carriage Company petrol engine. When those wore out in the early 1950s, they were replaced with twin GM Detroit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Electric Multiple Unit (Queensland Rail)
The Electric multiple unit (EMU) is a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers at Maryborough for Queensland Rail between 1979 and 1986. They were the first EMUs in Queensland and are progressively being retired from the Queensland Rail Citytrain network. History To provide rolling stock for the electrification of the Ferny Grove and Darra section of the Brisbane rail network, in 1976 Queensland Rail issued a tender for 13 three-carriage electric multiple units. Bids were received from Clyde Engineering, Comeng, General Electric, Goninans and Walkers, with the latter awarded the contract with electrical equipment to be supplied by ASEA. The first was delivered in May 1979, entering service on 17 November 1979 with all in service by October 1980. Before the first had been delivered, a further 11 units were ordered for the electrification of the Shorncliffe to Kingston section. The first was delivered in November 1980. These differed from the first orde ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Creamy Kate
Creamy Kate is a former New South Wales Government Railways railmotor, numbered 38. It is an evolution of the CPH rail motor class. Overview Between 1923 and 1930, the New South Wales Government Railways took delivery of 37 of the 42-Foot (CPH) rail motors and 5 similar 42-Foot trailers to replace locomotive-hauled passenger trains on lightly trafficked lines with a low patronage. With their popularity, patronage had increased beyond their normal operating capabilities and it had become clear that a larger and more powerful rail motor was needed. The main problem standing in the way of development was finding a suitably sized internal combustion engine to power this larger vehicle. A larger engine with enough power would lower the power-to-weight ratio and consequently defeat the purpose of the Rail Motor. This meant that existing steam trains and Rail Motors would have to be alternated to meet service requirements. A solution was found in building a rail motor with two engines ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rake
Rake may refer to: Common meanings * Rake (tool), a horticultural implement, a long-handled tool with tines * Rake (stock character), a man habituated to immoral conduct * Rake (poker), the commission taken by the house when hosting a poker game * Raking fire, fire along the axis of a ship in naval warfare Science and technology * Rake receiver, a radio receiver * Rake (geology), the angle between a feature on a bedding plane and the strike line in geology Transport * Bicycle and motorcycle geometry#Steering axis angle, Rake, the caster angle of a bicycle or motorcycle * Wheel alignment, Rake, the difference between the front and rear ride heights of a car * Rake (train), a line of coupled passenger coaches, or freight wagons, or railcars (excluding the locomotive) that typically move together Mathematics and computing * Rake (angle), a mathematical definition * Rake (cellular automaton), a cellular automaton pattern that moves while regularly emitting spaceships * Rake (softwar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Conductor (transportation)
A conductor (North American English) or guard (Commonwealth English) is a train crew member responsible for operational and safety duties that do not involve actual operation of the train/locomotive. The role is common worldwide under various job titles, although on many railroads the role has been discontinued. The ''conductor'' title is most common in North America. In Commonwealth countries, the conductor (also sometimes known as ''train manager'') is someone who sells and/or inspects tickets. The responsibilities of the role typically include the following: * ensuring that the train follows applicable safety rules and practices * making sure that the train stays on schedule starting from the stations * opening and closing power operated doors * selling and checking tickets, and other customer service duties * ensuring that any cars and cargo are picked up and dropped off properly * completing en-route paperwork * directing the train's movement while operating in reverse * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kalmbach Publishing
Kalmbach Media (formerly Kalmbach Publishing Co.) was an American publisher of books and magazines, many of them railroad-related, located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. History The company's first publication was ''The Model Railroader'', which began publication in the summer of 1933 at 545 S. 84th Street in Milwaukee (now site of a car wash), with a cover date of January 1934. A press release announcing the magazine appeared in August 1933, but did not receive much interest. In 1940, business was good enough for Kalmbach to launch another magazine about railroads in general with the simple title of ''Trains Magazine''. From its first issue dated November 1940, it grew quickly from an initial circulation of just over 5,000. Kalmbach became exclusively a publisher when it discontinued its printing operations in 1973, opting to contract production from other printers, that spot (on the 3rd floor) would later be home to the ''Milwaukee Racine & Troy'' model railroad, which would be t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
