Prototype Railroading Terms - Part 2 - Model Train Help BlogModel Train Help Blog

January 10, 2006

Prototype Railroading Terms – Part 2

This model railroad blog will list various railroading terms four or five at a time over the next few weeks.

Alignment Control Couplers
These specially equipped couplers minimize rail turnover, wheel climb, and jack-knifing by limiting lateral movement and reduce lateral forces on the track.

Articulated Car
This is car that has two (or more) platforms that share a common truck. The platforms are permanently connected to each other by an articulated joint.

Automatic Block Signal
An automatic block signal is one that is activated by track circuit or in conjunction with interlocking or controlled point circuits. It automatically indicates track condition and block occupancy.

Automatic Block Signal System (ABS)
With this system the use of each block is governed by an automatic block signal, cab signal, or both.

Automatic Cab Signal System (ACS)
Cab signals and cab warning whistles operate automatically with this system.

Automatic Train Stop (ATS)
As the name implies it is a device on an engine that activates a brake application if the engineer fails to acknowledge a cab signal change.