Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
safety problems. Once spotted, the cars are promptly taken out
of service for repairs.
foamer:
This is railroad slang for a
rail fan
; that is, someone so
hooked on trains that he or she supposedly foams at the mouth
when one appears. It is not really a derogatory term, but it's not
a compliment either.
FRED:
Mounted on the rear of all trains, this is the part of the
automatic detector system that electronically alerts the crew to
any mechanical problems. It's an acronym for “flashing rear-end
device.” Though they get the job done, FREDs have replaced the
traditional cabooses on freight trains, which are still missed by
many railroad workers. That helps explain why they often trans-
late the acronym as “f—— rear-end device.”
freight car:
Any railway car used to transport manufactured goods,
fruits and vegetables, grain, coal and other minerals, machinery,
and so forth. The term does not apply to tanker cars.
frog:
A special configuration of rails that permits trains to cross
another track (as opposed to transferring from one track to a
parallel track). You can tell when you go over a frog from the
clattering noise the wheels make.
fusee:
These are flares, basically the same kind police use warning
cars to slow down for a highway accident. They are dropped off
the rear of slow-moving trains to warn faster trains coming up
from behind.
gandy dancer:
Old-time railroad slang for anyone working on the
tracks. The term comes from the brand name stamped on the spe-
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