Work train
Encyclopedia
Work train refers to any of a number of rail cars intended for internal non-revenue use by the railroad's operator. Work trains serve functions such as track maintenance, maintenance of way, revenue collection, system cleanup and waste removal, heavy duty hauling, and crew member transport.
Types of work trains
- LocomotiveLocomotiveA locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s and cab unitCab unitA cab unit and a carbody unit are body styles of locomotives in railroad terminology. While closely related, they are not exactly the same....
s - Track maintenance equipment (track geometry carTrack geometry carA track geometry car is an automated track inspection vehicle on a rail transport system used to test several geometric parameters of the track without obstructing normal railroad operations. Some of the parameters generally measured include position, curvature, alignment of the track, smoothness,...
s, ballast regulatorBallast regulatorA ballast regulator is a piece of rail transport maintenance of way equipment used to shape and distribute the gravel track ballast that supports the ties in rail tracks. They are often used in conjunction with ballast tampers when maintaining track....
s, rail grinders, ballast tamperBallast tamperA ballast tamper or tamping machine is a machine used to pack the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks more durable. Prior to the introduction of mechanical tampers, this task was done by manual labour with the help of beaters...
cars, SperrySperry Rail ServiceSperry Rail Service is a company contracted by most of the major railroads in North America to inspect rail.The rail flaw detector car was invented by Dr. Elmer A. Sperry...
rail cars, ballast loaders/removers, hopper carHopper carA hopper car is a type of railroad freight car used to transport loose bulk commodities such as coal, ore, grain, track ballast, and the like. The name originated from the coke manufacturing industry which is part of the steel industry ....
s, continuous welded rail handlers, weld cars) - Flood cleanup cars (reach cars, pump cars, hose cars)
- Snow removal carsRotary snowplowA rotary snowplow is a piece of railroad snowfighting equipment. It is characterized by the large circular set of blades on its front end that rotate as a unit to cut through the snow on the track ahead of it.-History:...
- Rail inspection carsRail inspectionRail inspection is the practice of examining rail tracks for flaws that could lead to catastrophic failures. According to the United States Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, track defects are the second leading cause of accidents on railways in the United States. The...
- Refuse motor cars
- De-icer cars
- Rail adhesion carRail Adhesion CarA Rail Adhesion Car or Rail Adhesion Train is a modified vehicle used on rail adhesion system where the normal equipment does not have the rail sanding ability of locomotives. In particular, it may involve tanks and dispensing equipment installed in an electric subway or rail car that is run over...
s - Crane carsCrane (railroad)A railroad crane, is a type of crane used on a railroad for one of three primary uses: freight handling in goods yards, permanent way maintenance, and accident recovery work...
- Dump cars
- Flatbed cars
- Signal supply cars
- Tanker cars
- Vacuum cars
- Revenue collection carsMoney trainA money train is one or more railcars used to collect fare collection revenue from stations on a subway system and return it to a central location for processing. This train is typically used to carry money bags guarded by transit police to deter robberies....
- Rider cars