Below you will find many of the terms associated with Steam Era freight cars (along with some misnomers that we hope to correct and eradicate from the popular lexicon). If you find that a phrase or term is absent, please let us know via email at protoinfo@steamfreightcars.com, subject: Glossary. Thank you to Larry Grubb for his significant efforts in compiling this information.
Ice Bunker (Refrigerator Car): The receptacle or compartment in which the ice is placed in a refrigerator car. (CYC)
Ice Car: A car for transporting ice, usually constructed with insulation similar to a refrigerator car, but without ice tanks or ventilators. See also Refrigerator Car. (CYC)
Ice Pan (Refrigerator Car): A receptacle for carrying ice in cars which do not have end ice bunkers. (CYC)
Ice Tanks (Refrigerator Car): See Refrigerator Car. (CYC)
Icing Door: A door in the roof of a refrigerator car through which ice and salt are placed in the ice tanks. See Hatch. (CYC)
Impact Tests: Tests made to determine the effect upon cars and lading of forceful coming together of freight cars during switching movements. (CYC)
Independent Brake: See Air Brakes. (CYC)
Industrial Cars: Railway cars of various types such as dump, hopper, flat, etc, used in industrial plants, mines, construction work, etc. (CYC)
Ingoldsby Car: A special type of dumping car used mainly for transportation of certain ores or concentrates. (CYC)
Inside Ceiling (Refrigerator Car): The inside layer of light boards in the roof of the car. More properly, Ceiling. (CYC)
Inside Corner Brace: See Corner Brace. (CYC)
Inside Hung Brakes: Brake attachments for trucks in which the brake shoes and beams are between the wheels. When attached on the outside they are termed Outside Hung Brakes. (CYC)
Inside Lining Stud: A vertical strip or post extending from the side sill to the belt rail to serve as a nailing strip for the inside lining. (CYC)
Inside Roof: A part of the type of roof common on wooden cars. A light board roof or ceiling under the main roof and separated from it by the purlins. (CYC)
Inspection Car: A car used for inspecting track and right-of-way. See Car, Inspection. (CYC)
Instruction Car: A car used for the instruction of railway employees in matters pertaining to their work. See Air Brake, Instruction Car. (CYC)
Insulating Paper (Refrigerator Car): A heavy paper or other material, specially prepared to make it a non-conductor of heat, placed between the linings as part of the insulation of the car. (CYC)
Interchange: The transfer of cars from one road to another so that they may be used on other roads than that of the owner. (CYC)
Interchange Point: The connection point where cars are transferred from one road to another. Joint inspectors are frequently employed at such points. (CYC)
Intermediate Lining (Refrigerator Car): See Blind Lining. (CYC)
Intermediate Sill: The main longitudinal members of an underframe between the side sills and the center sills. (CYC)
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC): The US government regulating body which has jurisdiction over railroad matters. (CYC)
Inverted Arch Bar. A bottom arch bar. (CYC)
Jacking Block (Also called Jacking Plate): A plate commonly applied to a steel side sill to protect it from damage when the car is being raised on jacks. A topical discussion on the application of these parts to steel and steel underframe cars will be found in the 1909 MBC proceedings, page 98. (CBC)
Jaw Bolt: A bolt with a forked end instead of the conventional head. (CBC)
Journal: The part of an axle or shaft on which the journal bearing rests. (CBC)
Journal Bearing (Also called Journal Brass): A combination of rollers and races or a block of metal, usually brass, or bronze, in contact with a journal, on which the load rests. In car construction the term when unqualified means a car axle journal bearing. A standard shape for brass bearings has been adopted by the AAR, and a recommended practice for its composition specified. The standard AAR journal bearing has a soft white metal lining _” thick which serves as a wearing surface where the bearing rests on the axle journal. This lining is frequently referred to as a “lead lining” or Babbitt metal but strictly speaking it is neither. The specifications for this metal are given in the AAR manual, as of 1939. (CBC)
Journal Bearing Key (Also called Journal Bearing Key): A device used to hold the journal bearing in place; to distribute the load evenly over the bearing; and to allow it to be removed easily. (CBC)
Journal Box: The metal housing which encloses the journal of a car axle, the journal bearing and wedge, and which holds the oil and packing for lubricating the journal. Also called an axle box, car box, grease box, housing box, oil box, and pedestal box. British: usually axle box. (CBC)
Journal Box Bolts: The bolts on either side of the journal box which secure it between the arch bars and the pedestal tie bar, or to some forms of cast steel truck sideframes. Not used with modern cast steel truck frames. (CBC)
Journal Box Guide: See Pedestal. (CBC)
Journal Box Lid: A door or lid covering an opening in the end of the journal box, by means of which oil and packing are supplied and journal bearings are inserted or removed. Such covers are usually made of cast iron, malleable iron or pressed steel. They are usually kept closed by a Journal Box Spring. (CBC)
Journal Box Lubricator: A device for supplying oil to a car journal bearing instead of depending upon the ordinary form of waste packing. (CBC)
Journal Jack: A small screw type jack used for relieving the weight from car journals for the purpose of changing bearings or brasses. (CBC)
Journal Packing Guard: A device to keep journal packing in place. (CBC)
Journal Packing, Method of: See manual, l-34. (CBC)
Journal Spring: A spring supporting part of the weight of a car which is placed directly over the journal, and which usually rests on the journal box under the truck frame. (CBC)
Jute: A coarse vegetable fiber sometimes used in railroad cars in the form of matting. (CBC)
Kalamined Iron: Sheet iron, coated with an alloy of zinc, lead, tin, and nickel. The alloy melts at a lower temperature than common zinc, and is claimed to give a more durable compound as well as a thinner and more adhesive coating. Galvanized iron is sheet iron coated with zinc. (CBC)
Key Ring: A mode of securing a tire to a wheel center, composed of two rings, one of U-section and the other nearly rectangular. The former ring holds the tire and wheel together, and the latter ring holds the former in place, filling up the groove in the tire. When both rings are in place the outer lip of the groove in the tire is slightly hammered over, thus gripping the center or key ring, and retaining it in place. (CBC)
Key Slot (Coupler): The slot or slots in the coupler butt and draft sills through which the draft key(s) are inserted. (CBC)
Kicker: See Knuckle Thrower. (CBC)
King Post (Truss): A single post or distance piece between the truss rod and the chord of a truss rod and the chord of a truss or beam. If two such posts are used they are called queen posts. (CBC)
Knee Iron: An L-shaped or angle iron casting or forging which is fastened to the corner where two members are joined to strengthen the joint. (CBC)
Knuckle (Couplers): The rotating coupling hook by means of which coupling is effected when the knuckle is locked by the catch or lock. It must conform to certain contour lines adopted by the AAR. See Coupler. (CBC)
Knuckle Pin (Coupler): The pin holding the knuckle in the jaws of the coupler. Sometimes called pivot pin. (CBC)
Knuckle Thrower: A device which throws the knuckle of a car coupler open when the uncoupling rigging is operated. (CBC)
Ladder Round: A cross bar or step of a ladder. See Safety Appliances. (CBC)
Ladder Side Rails: The vertical side pieces to which the ladder rounds are attached. (CBC)
Lateral Motion: The motion which takes place, perpendicularly to the center liner of the track, of all car parts except the wheels and axles. This lateral motion, or endplay results from the flexibility which must be provided in truck structure in order to permit easy and safe negotiation of track curvatures. See Swing Bolster, Swing Hanger, Swing Motion. (CBC)
Lateral Motion Spring: A spring sometimes used to check excessive lateral motion in car trucks. See Swing Bolster, Swing Motion. (CBC)
Lead-Lined Journal Bearing: A journal bearing which has its inner surface covered with a thin layer of lead, so that it may fit itself to the journal as soon as subjected to wear. (CBC)
Leakage Groove (Air Brake Cylinder): A small passage past the brake piston to prevent application of the brakes by trifling leakages of air. (CBC)
Lettering Cars: See Manual, L-36. (CBC)
Limit Gage: A term applied to many forms of gages which are used for determining whether pieces do not exceed or fall below a certain specified range of dimensions. See Gage. (CBC)
Line Car: A short term to designate cars belonging to the various fast freight lines which run over several roads between the leading shipping points east and west. (CBC)
Lining For Outside-Framed Cars: See Manual, C-24. (CBC)
Lining Strips: Wooden or metal strips put on the inside of freight or baggage cars to protect the inside of the car from being injured by freight or baggage. (CBC)
Lining Stud: Vertical studs placed between the posts and over or under the braces, and to which the lining is nailed. (CBC)
Link And Pin Coupler: An old type of connection between cars which employed a link and pin arrangement. (CBC)
Live Lever: One of a pair of truck brake levers to which the brake power is applied from the cylinder. (CBC)
Load Limit (On Rail): The combined light weight of the car and the load which gives the maximum AAR axle loading. (CBC)
Load Limit (In Car): That weight of load when in a car which, when added to the light weight of the car, gives the maximum AAR axle loading. (CBC)
Locomotive: A self-propelled vehicle, running on rails, which generates or converts energy into motion for the purpose of hauling cars. It may be operated by steam, compressed air, internal combustion engine, or electricity. A locomotive has no space for any revenue carry load. (CBC)
Logging Car: A special type of car for hauling or carrying logs, usually consisting of two trucks and a skeleton frame, but sometimes provided with machinery and power for hauling by means of a cable. (CBC)
Logging Truck: A truck used in logging cars. The member corresponding to the body bolster in other types of trucks is called a bunk and is so arranged that timber or logs may be chained in place on it. (CBC)
Lookout (Caboose): See Cupola. (CBC)
Lorry: A small push car used in railroad construction work for moving rails, ties, etc. See Push Car. (CBC)
Lower Break Shaft Bearing: An eye or guide for a vertical brake shaft, near the lower end. The support at the lower end is preferably called the brake shaft step. (CBC)
Lower Chord (Truss): The lower outside member. In the side trussing of a freight car or passenger car the side sill is the lower chord. (CBC)
Lubricator: An instrument used for supplying or applying oil or grease to a journal or other moving part. Also called oiler. (CBC)
Lumber Door: A door placed in the end of a box car for removal of lumber. Not often used. (CBC)
Main Floor (Refrigerator Car): The top layer of boards in the floor of the car. (CBC)
Main Reservoir (Air Brake): A cylindrical tank, carried on a locomotive, or motor car, to hold a supply of compressed air. So called in distinction from the auxiliary reservoirs under each car. (CBC)
Main Roof (Refrigerator Cars): The outside roof. (CBC)
Male Center Plate: The body center plate is sometimes called a male center plate. See Center Plate. (CBC)
Malleable Iron: This is a product having an average ultimate strength and yield point of 54,000 pounds and 35,000 pounds per square inch respectively, and an average elongation of 18% measured in 2 inches. White iron castings of appropriate condition are heat-treated For a certain length of time under certain temperature conditions, by virtue of which treatment the metal as originally cast is converted into a tough and ductile [Capable of being drawn out or hammered thin: Webster’s] product, the mechanical and structural properties of which are entirely different from those of the metal as cast. Specifications: Manual, A-402. (CBC)
Manhole: An opening in a boiler, tank or other cavity to enable a man to enter and make inspections or repairs. (CBC)
Manhole Ladder (Tank Car): An iron ladder extending down into the tank under the manhole to allow workmen to descend for purposes of cleaning, inspection or repairs. (CBC)
Manifold: A device used in pipe work to permit converging at a single point several openings or pipe lines into a single line, or vice-versa, to allow a single line to be divided in order to supply two or more subsidiary lines. The exhaust and intake manifolds of an internal combustion engine are common examples. See Three Pipe Manifold. (CBC)
Mansell Retaining Ring: A mode of connecting steel tires to car wheel centers by a ring of an approximate L or U cross-section, which secures the tire to the wheel, so that every part of the tire is securely held. (CBC)
Marking On Freight Cars: See Manual, L-36. (CBC)
Meat Timbers (Refrigerator Cars): The vertical and horizontal timbers inside the refrigerating chamber on which the meat is suspended. (CBC)
Middle Transom (Six Wheel Trucks): The term applied to the two transoms nearest the center of the truck, in distinction from the two outside transoms. (CBC)
Milk Car: A car similar to a refrigerator car, but generally built for operation in passenger trains for carrying fresh milk in cans. (CBC)
Miller Coupler: A form of automatic coupler for passenger cars in general use before the general adoption of the MCB type of vertical plane coupler. It consisted of a shank and a head with a fixed projection or hook which engaged with a corresponding hook when cars were brought together, by side displacement of the drawbars. To uncouple, one or both of the drawbars were pulled to one side by an uncoupling lever and chain operated from the platform. A strong spring kept the drawbars normally in the centerline of draft. (CBC)
Mine Car: A small car for carrying minerals in mines, usually having four wheels, and provided with a dumping device by which the load may be quickly and completely discharged. (CBC)
Mineral Wool: A substance having much the same appearance which its name implies, manufactured from the slag of iron furnaces by throwing against it while in the molten state a strong blast of air. It is used principally for insulation. (CBC)
Monel Metal: An alloy containing approximately two thirds nickel and one third copper. Notable for its strength and resistance to corrosion. Used in special valves and fittings. Named after Ambrose Monel , who was the president of International Nickel Co. at the time when the alloy was first produced in 1905. (CBC)
Motor-Driven Air Compressor (Air Brake): An air compressor driven by a motor for use on electric cars. (CBC)
Motor Inspection Car: A small four-wheeled car with seats, propelled by a gasoline engine. (CBC)
Muck Bar: Bar iron which has passed once through the rolls. It is usually cut into lengths, piled, and rerolled as desired. (CBC)
Muffler (Vacuum Brake): A device to render noiseless the emission of steam at the ejector when brakes are applied. It is simply a collection of beads or shot, through the interstices of which the steam must force its way to escape. (CBC)
Muley Axle: An axle without collars. (CBC)
Multiple Unit Cars: Electric cars so equipped that the motors on all cars in the train may be operated from any car having a motorman’s station. (CBC)
Multiple Unit Control System: A system developed with special reference to the operation of a train consisting of several motor cars coupled together, all motors being controlled simultaneously by a single operator. (CBC)
Multi-Service Cars: Gondola or hopper cars adapted for transportation of bulk commodities and having provision for optional discharge of same to center or to both sides of the track. (CBC)
Multi-Unit Tank Car: A tank carting several unit containers. (CBC)
Nailing Strip: A strip of wood laid over a metal frame and bolted to it, to which the boards are nailed in a combined wood and steel car or an “all steel” car. In refrigerator cars, where there is generally more than one floor course, nailing strips are also used. They are also used in some cases for fastening insulation. See Furring and Stringer. (CBC)
Narrow Gage: The distance in the clear between the heads of the rails of a railroad track when less than 4 ft. 6 in. See Gage. (CBC)
Needle Beam (Wooden Cars): The transverse members of the underframe between the body bolsters which support the truss rod queen posts. Also act as cross ties for the longitudinal sills. (CBC)
Needle Beam (Steel Cars): The term needle beam is sometimes applied to what is more properly a crossbearer or crosstie. (CBC)
Nest Spring: A spiral spring with one or more coils of springs inside of it. See Helical Spring. (CBC)
Nipple (Pipe Fitting): A short pipe with a screw thread cut on each end, used for connecting couplings, tees, etc. together or with some other objects, as a tank or heater. See Air Brake Hose Nipple. (CBC)
Non-Pressure Head (Brake Cylinder): The cover for the end of the brake cylinder opposite to that having air pressure against it. It has an opening in the center for a piston rod. (CBC)
Nozzle: See Tank Nozzle. (CBC)
Nut Lock: A device for locking a nut in place on the bolt after it has been drawn up. Also called nut fasteners. (CBC)
Officers’ Car: See Business car and Private Car. (CBC)
Oil Box: See Journal Box. (CBC)
Oil Car: A car made especially for the transportation of mineral oil. Some oil cars are built for carrying barrels of refined oil. Crude oil and refined oil are usually carried in tank cars. (CBC)
Open Door Stop: A block of iron or wood fastened to the side of a freight car to prevent a sliding door from sliding too far when opened. (CBC)
Open-Top Car: A term inclusive of gondola, hopper and ballast cars but does not include flat cars. (CBC)
Ore Car: A hopper car made especially for carrying ores. Because of the great weight of ore relative to its bulk, ore cars are generally shorter and consequently of less cubic capacity than other forms of hopper cars. (CBC)
Original Record: The entry on a billing repair card of work done on a foreign car on authority of a repair card. See Interchange, Rule 7. (CBC)
Outlet Valve (Tank Car): The valve by means of which oil or other liquids are removed from the tank. (CBC)
Outside End Sill: A type of boxcar framing in which the end sill projects outside the sheathing, forming a narrow platform at the ends of the car. (CBC)
Outside Hung Brake: Brake gear hung so that the shoes bear on the outer side of the wheels, or the side of the wheels away from the bolster. (CBC)
Outside Sills: The side sills of a car frame. (CBC)
Overhang (Roof): The projection beyond the walls. (CBC)
Overhang (Car Body): That part of a car body between the body bolster and the end. (CBC)
Overhang Brace Rod: A truss rod extending over the side sills and between the sheathing and wainscoting. Its office is to sustain and stiffen that part of the underframe which overhangs at the ends and outside the bolsters. See Hog Chain. (CBC)
Overhead Lining (Refrigerator Cars): See Ceiling. (CBC)
Overhung Door: A sliding door which is hung from or supported on a rail above the door. (CBC)
Packing: A general term denoting the various substances and devices used to prevent leakage of fluids or gasses through openings which cannot be closed by ordinary contact of the parts concerned. This definition should not be confused with Journal Box Packing which really functions as a form of lubricator. See Gasket, Packing Cup, Packing Leather, Packing Ring, Waste. (CBC)
Packing Cup: A packing of composition material which has largely replaced leather for air brake cylinders. (CBC)
Packing Expander (Air Brake): a spring wire ring for spreading out the leather packing of the brake system so as to make it fit air-tight against the cylinder walls. Not used with packing cups. (CBC)
Packing Leather (Journal Box): A dust guard is sometimes called a packing leather
Packing Leather (Air Brake): A ring of leather used in connection with brake cylinder pistons to make an air-tight fit. When so used it is also accompanied with a packing leather expander. A packing leather for a piston rod is called a cup leather, and is compressed by a piston spring. See Packing Cup. (CBC)
Packing Ring (Triple valve): A circular metallic ring of variable rectangular cross-section which is placed in grooves in the edge of the piston to make it fit air-tight in the cylinder. The rings are turned slightly larger than the cylinder and cut apart diagonally at one point so that when compressed they will tend to spring open
Packing Ring (Hose Coupling): A rubber ring in a coupling case which makes a tight joint between the two parts of the coupling. (CBC)
Panel (Truss): The space between two vertical posts or braces and the two chords of a truss. (CBC)
Pawl (Brake Ratchet Wheel): A pivoted bar adapted to fall into the notches or teeth of a wheel as it rotates in one direction, And to restrain it from backward motion. See Ratchet Wheel. (CBC)
Pedestal Truck: A truck which has its journal boxes held in and guided by pedestals which are either an integral part of or rigidly attached to the side frames. The axles and boxes can thus move vertically in the pedestals and shocks due to the unevenness of the track are not transmitted to the truck frames to the same extent as in a truck which has the side frames and journal boxes rigidly connected. (CBC)
Phosphate Car: Usually a covered hopper car. (CBC)
Pick-up Car: A car provided with a tool house and shelter for the use of yard men in performance of their duties. (CBC)
Pinion: The smaller of two gears comprising a set of gears. (CBC)
Pipe Clip or Pipe Strap or Pipe Hanger: A metal band for fastening a pipe against or to some other object. They are usually single, but sometimes double, or multiple, for two or more pipes. (CBC)
Pipe Coupling: A short tube cut with a thread on the inside of each end, which is screwed on the ends of two pipes and used for uniting them together, or uniting one pipe with another object, as a cock or valve. In some couplings the thread at one end is right hand and the other left hand, but generally they are both right hand threads. (CBC)
Pipe Fittings: The connections for systems of wrought iron, gas, water, and steam pipes. The more usual pipe fittings are bushings, elbows, tees, return bends (closed or open), reducers, couplings, nipples, plugs, etc. (CBC)
Piston: A metal dick with packing, etc., made to fit in a cylinder, and transmit the power caused by the pressure of a working fluid to the external rod and working parts of some form of engine. In a brake cylinder the piston transfers the pressure of the air to the foundation brake gear. A piston consists of a piston head, attached to a piston rod. The piston follower or follower plate lies at the back of the piston head, enclosing between them the piston packing rings, or (in air brake cylinders) the piston packing leather, which latter is provided with a packing leather expander. The follower plate is secured to the piston with follower bolts. (CBC)
Piston Travel (Air Brakes): The amount of movement of the piston when forced outward when the brakes are applied. Running piston travel is the piston travel obtained when the car is in motion and is always greater than the travel obtained when the car is at rest, due to the fact that the slack or lost motion in trucks and brake gear as well as the elasticity of the car body is more fully taken up by the brake shoe pressure when the car is in motion. False travel is that excess piston travel caused by the deflection of the brake beams, levers and other parts of the foundation brake rigging, and the pulling down of the truck frames, and therefore of the brake shoes. False piston travel is thus due to poor foundation brake rigging and increases with the brake cylinder pressure. (CBC)
Pit Car: See well car. (CBC)
Pivot Pin (Coupler): Another name for the knuckle pin. It is so called from the fact that the knuckle when opening swings about the pin as a pivot. (CBC)
Placard Boards For House Cars (AAR recommended practice): Manual, C-42. (CBC)
Plain Triple Valve (Air Brake): A trip[le valve which has no provision for making emergency applications. See Triple Valve. (CBC)
Plate (Car): A horizontal member on the top of the posts of a car body supporting the roof carlines. Also called side plate, in distinction from an end plate, which is a similar member across the end of the car. A deck plate is used to cap the deck posts of an upper deck. (CBC)
Plate Wheel: A car wheel of which the center portion is formed of a disc or plate instead of spokes. (CBC)
Platform (Caboose Cars): A floor at the end of a car, supported by projection frame members below the car body, to facilitate ingress and egress. A narrow platform is sometimes added to freight cars for convenience of trainmen, but a platform proper is used only on passenger cars and cabooses. [Not Cabeese] (CBC)
Platform Car: A flat Car. See Industrial cars. (CBC)
Platform Lever: A lever for uncoupling cars from the platform. (CBC)
Platform Lever Pin: The pin on which the platform lever pivots. (CBC)
Platform Roof: That portion of a car roof which projects over the platform. (CBC)
Platform Steps: The stairs at each corner of a caboose car which afford the means of egress and ingress. Wooden steps are sometimes called box steps. (CBC)
Plow: See Snow Plow and Ballast Plow. (CBC)
Plug: See Refrigerator Car Plug. (CBC)
Plumbago: Graphite; one of the forms of pure carbon from which pencils, etc., are manufactured. The flake form is sometimes used as a lubricant. (CBC)
Poling Car: A car provided with a push-pole on each side and used to push cars about a railroad yard. It is coupled to and pushed by the switching locomotive on an adjoining track. But little used at present. [1942] (CBC)
Pop Safety Valve: A valve set with a spring so as to open suddenly with a wide opening at a fixed pressure. (CBC)
Port: An opening in a valve for the passage of steam or air. (CBC)
Post Pocket: A casting attached to the top of the side or end sill or the bottom of the side or end plate of a car to receive and hold a post or a post and a brace, in distinction from a stake pocket which is bolted to the outside of the side sill. Such pockets are commonly used with box and stock cars. The post pockets used below the plates are sometimes called post caps. (CBC)
Postal Car: A passenger equipment car for carrying mail. Some postal cars are fitted with pigeon holes, etc., for the distribution of mail, and others are for storage only. (CBC)
Pouch Hook (Postal Car): A hook used for suspending mail bags while assorting the mails. (CBC)
Pouch Rack (Postal Car): A rack built of standards and horizontal rods to which the pouch hooks are attached and which support the pouches or bags while mail is being distributed into them. (CBC)
Poultry Car: A form of stock car equipped for carrying live poultry. See also Stock Car and Al Hoffman. (CBC)
Pressure Bar (On old wooden cars equipped with Gould Buffing Apparatus): A stiff iron bar of a cross-shaped (+) cross section, connecting the drawbar to the buffer spring, so that the draft spring reinforced the buffing spring and the buffing spring took up part of the pull on the drawbar, thus relieving the draft spring. The pressure bar also forced out the buffer stem and plate when the drawbar was pulled out, thus maintaining a continuous platform between the cars. See CBC, 1898 Edition. (CBC)
Pressure Head (Brake Cylinder): The head that covers the end of the brake cylinder into which air pressure is admitted when the brakes are applied. (CBC)
Pressure Limiting Valve (Air brakes): A valvular device for limiting the amount of air pressure delivered. (CBC)
Pressure Retaining Valve: A device by means of which a certain part of the brake cylinder pressure may be retained to aid in retarding the acceleration of a train descending long grades while the brake pipe pressure is increased after one application to recharge the auxiliary reservoirs. It is controlled by a small handle, the position of which causes it to operate or not, as desired. There are four different types, the ordinary, the vestibule, the double pressure, and the driver brake. The first two types may be made to retain 0 to 15 lb.; the third to retain 0, 15, or 30 lb or 0, 25 and 50 lb.; the fourth to retain 0, 15 lb., or all cylinder pressure. In descending grades the handle is turned to the proper position to retain the desired pressure while on the level the handle is turned to allow the air to escape to the atmosphere. Also called Retaining Valve. (CBC)
Private Car: A car for private use, usually containing eating and sleeping and frequently business facilities. Private cars used by railway officers are often termed business cars.
Freight cars owned by companies other than the railways and used for the transportation of goods over various lines are termed private line cars or sometimes simply private cars. Refrigerator and tank cars constitute a considerable portion of the privately owned freight cars. (CBC)
Produce Car: A modified form of refrigerator car, provided with ventilators and ice boxes, for the transportation of fruit, vegetables and perishable produce. (CBC)
Propelling Lever (Hand Car): The main lever, to which power is applied. (CBC)
Purlin or Purline: A longitudinal roof frame member extending over the carlines, extending from one end of the car to the other, to which the roof boards or sheets are fastened. Sometimes called a roof strip, but the latter more correctly applies to strips sometimes used above the purlins. (CBC)
Push Car: A four-wheel car used to carry materials and tools and moved or pushed by hand. See Ferry Push Car and Lorry. (CBC)
Push Pole: A wooden pole or iron tube which is used as a strut to span diagonally the distance between the corners of a locomotive or a poling car and a freight car, standing on two parallel tracks, to push the car without switching the locomotive to the same track that the freight car occupies. (CBC)
Push Pole Pocket: A plate placed on the corner of freight cars, and having a cavity for inserting a pole or bar in switching, to enable the car to be moved from the side by an engine on a parallel track. A roping staple serves the same purpose when it is desired to use a rope or cable. (CBC)
Push Rod (Brake cylinder): A bat which transmits the force from the piston of a freight car brake cylinder to the brake levers. It has a jaw formed on one end, by which it is attached to the cylinder lever. It is guided by the piston rod, which is hollow. As it has not a rigid connection to the piston, but can slide freely in the hollow piston rod, when the brakes are applied by hand, it does not become necessary to overcome the friction of the piston in the cylinder. (CBC)
Quadruplet (Elliptic Springs): A nest of four springs side by side acting as one. Also called a Quartette. (CBC)
Queen Post (Truss): In wooden car construction, one of a pair of vertical posts against which a truss rod bears. When one post only is used, it is called a King Post. Such posts are used for the truss rods under car bodies and occasionally on car trucks. (CBC)
Queen Post Stay: A bar attached to a queen post to stay it laterally. (CBC)
Quick Action Automatic Air Brake: A type of brake in which the triple valve is so modified that when a relatively quick reduction in brake pipe pressure is made, it also opens a direct communication from the brake pipe through the triple valve to the brake cylinder. The net result is to shorten the time from the movement of the brake valve handle until a full brake application is obtained on the entire train, and to increase the total braking power obtainable by such an operation (emergency application) over the maximum obtainable during ordinary operations (service application), or when using the plain automatic brake. (CBC)
Quick Action Triple Valve (Air Brake): See Triple Valve. (CBC)
Quick Service Valve: A valve used with the emergency straight air break system to accelerate the application and release of brakes. It is located between the train line and the emergency valve. (CBC)
Quintuplet (Elliptical Springs): A nest of five springs side by side acting as one. Also called Quintette. (CBC)