Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cabooses have been replaced by trackside automatic detectors
that are located every few miles and alert crews to such problems.
cab ride:
A ride in the head end of a locomotive given to a “civil-
ian.” It's a rare opportunity, but it's something you and I would
probably give a month's pay to experience.
cafe car:
This is sort of halfway between a lounge car and a dining
car, with a seating area and an attendant serving packaged foods
and beverages from behind a counter in the middle of the car.
Generally, these cars are used on small or short-haul trains.
catenary:
The overhead system of wires and supports from which
electric engines draw the power to operate.
coach:
A railcar for carrying passengers. The normal configuration
is rows of seats separated by a center aisle, with two seats on each
side of the aisle.
coal car:
An open-topped hopper or gondola car used for transport-
ing coal. Many of us incorrectly use this term for a
tender
, the car
placed immediately behind a steam locomotive from which coal
was shoveled into the engine's firebox.
conductor:
The onboard crew member ultimately responsible for
the operation of the train and for overseeing the rest of the crew.
consist (pronounced CON-sist):
The total number of cars, including the
locomotives, making up the entire train.
container:
The boxlike intermodal containers that are filled with
various commodities and then loaded onto flatcars, swung aboard
ships by giant cranes, or hauled to their destinations by truck.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search