RAILROAD LEGAL GLOSSARY

- T-

Tallow Pot: Fireman. 

Tangent Track: Straight track. 

Tare Weight: The weight of an empty car. 

Team Track: A track on which rail cars are placed for the use of the public in loading or unloading freight. 

Terminating line haul road: The last railroad over which any shipment travels. 

Terminating Station: The last station on each subdivision to which a train is authorized to occupy the main track. 

Third Party Litigation: When a lawsuit is brought against a defendant and that defendant wants to add another party to the suit, the original defendant may file a “third party complaint” which results in a third party litigation or lawsuit.

Timetable: The authority for the movement of regular trains subject to the rules. It may contain classified schedules and includes special instructions. 

TOFC: Trailer on a flat car. Refers to intermodal shipments. 

Tons per Operative Brake: Gross trailing tonnage of the train divided by the total number of cars having operative brakes. (not including locomotives) 

Tort: A civil wrong; a wrongful injury to a person’s property. There are three types of torts: intentional, negligence and strict liability.

Track Bulletin: A notice containing information as to track conditions or other conditions, necessary for the safe operation of trains or engines. 

Track Circuit: An electrical circuit of which the rails of the track form a part. The track circuit is the basis of signaling systems. 

Track Gauge: The distance between the inner faces of the track heads. Nominally, 4' 8.5". 

Track Head: The top of the track on which the wheels roll. 

Track Permit: A form used to authorize occupancy of main track where designated by special instructions. 

Track Side Warning Detector: Wayside detectors which are provided at various locations as shown in the timetable which detect such conditions as overheated journals, dragging equipment, excess dimensions, shifted loads, high water and slides. 

Track Warrant Control: A method of authorizing movements of trains or engines or protecting men or machines on a main track within specified limits in territory designated by special instructions or general order. 

Track Web: The thin section of track between the base and the head. 

Trackage Rights: An agreement between two railroads according to which, one railroad buys the right to run its trains on the tracks of the other, and usually pays a toll for the privilege. That toll is called a "wheelage" charge. 

Tractive Force: The amount of force at the driving wheel rims to start and move tonnage up various grades. 

Train Brake: The combined brakes on locomotive and cars that provides the means of controlling the speed and stopping of the entire train. 

Train of Superior Class: A train given precedence by time table. 

Train of Superior Direction: A train given precedence in the direction specified in the time table as between opposing trains of the same class. 

Train of Superior Right: A train given precedence by train order. 

Train Order Signal: Fixed signal near the entrance to a river tube, bridge or at stations with moving platforms. 

Train Order: A message changing the meeting point between two trains. 

Train Register: A book or form used at designated stations for registering time of arrival and departure of trains, and such other information as may be prescribed. 

Train: An engine or more than one engine coupled, with or without cars, displaying a marker and authorized to operate on a main track. 

Triple Valve: An operating valve for charging the reservoir, applying the brake, and releasing the brake. 

Truck Hunting: Rapid oscillation of an empty car truck at high speeds where the flanges tend to ride up on the head of the rail. 

Turnout Number: The ratio of the length of the tangent track to an equal unit of space between the tangent track and a point on the branch track.

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. 
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