RAILROAD LEGAL GLOSSARY

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Cab Signal: A signal located in engineer's compartment or cab, indicating a condition affecting the movement of a train or engine and used in conjunction with interlocking signals and in conjunction with or in lieu of block signals. 

Caboose: End of train; non-revenue car. 

Caboose Valve: A rotary valve type of device providing means for making a controlled rate of brake pipe reduction for making a service or emergency application from the caboose. 

Car Toad: Car inspector who checks the condition of the freight and passenger cars and conducts the air brake tests.

Centralized Traffic Control: A remotely controlled block signal system under which train movements are authorized by block signals which indicators supersede the superiority of trains. 

Clear Block: A block not occupied; sometimes used to denote a clear signal indication. 

COFC: Container on flat car. Referred to as intermodal traffic. 

Color Light Signal: A fixed signal in which the indications are given by the color of a light only. 

Color-Position Light Signal: A fixed signal in which the indications are given by color and position of two or more lights. 

Controlled Point: A location designated by a number where signals and /or switches of a CTC system are controlled by a control operator. 

Controlled Siding: A siding authorized for use and is governed by signal indication or a control operator. 

Controlled Signal: An absolute signal which is controlled by a control operator. 

COT&S: Clean, Oil, Test & Stencil. Applies to air brake rework. 

Covered Wagon: A nickname that is generally attached to EMD E and F units. 

Crossing: A length of track that carries one track across another. 

Crossover: A track connection between two adjacent tracks. 

Crummy: A wooden, two truck or bobber trucked, caboose. Also called a way car, hack or, long ago, a bean shack 

Current of Traffic: The movement of trains on a main track, in one direction, specified by the rules. 

Cut: Separate car(s) from a train 

Casualty: A loss of property due to fire, storm shipwreck or other casualty, which is allowable as a deduction in computing taxable income.

Cause of Action: The plaintiff’s legal claim against the defendant. There is often more than one cause of action in a lawsuit.

Civil Law: That part of the law which governs relationships between people where there is no criminal activity involved.

Co-Defendant: A defendant joined together with one or more other defendants in the same case.

Common Law: Body of law that has grown based on the decisions of courts long ago. It originated in England and has since passed to the United States. It is always changing to reflect the current needs society.

Comparative Negligence: A defense to negligence used when it is believed that the plaintiff’s negligence contributed to his or her injuries. Based on the amount of negligence by each party, the amount of damages is adjusted accordingly.

Complaint: A pretrial document filed in a court by one party against another that states a grievance, called a “cause of action.” 

Contingency Fee Agreement: An agreement between an attorney and their client, which allows the attorney to be paid only if the client prevails in a lawsuit and collects monetary damages. The lawyer then receives a percentage of the damages, generally 1/3 of the award.

Contributory Negligence: A defense to negligence, which points out that the plaintiff’s negligence contributed to his or her injuries. Contributory negligence is an absolute bar to the plaintiff’s recovery against the defendant.

Counterclaim: A demand by the defendant against the plaintiff asserting an independent cause of action in the same lawsuit. 

Cross Examination: Questioning the witness who has been presented by the opposition at trail or a deposition.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained within this personal injury site is of a general nature and is not meant to be a restatement of any rules of law. Your use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should hire an attorney to obtain legal advice for your specific case. 
© Copyright 2004, Consultwebs.com, Inc., All rights reserved. Personal Injury Law Glossary.

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