Air Brake-the type of braking system used on most railways operating in North America.

Ballast-material such as gravel and rocks that are placed on the roadbed to help hold the track in place and provide drainage.

Caboose-a car that is placed at the rear of the train to provide an office and quarters for the conductor and train crew. Most railroads no longer use cabooses.

Club Car-a parlor or lounge car with special features. The Carolinian has the Carolinian Business Class Car.

Coach-a rail car that carries a large number of people.

Conductor-the person in charge of the train.

Coupler-a device located at both ends of cars and locomotives that connects the cars to each other.

Crossbuck-the "X"-shaped sign that notifies motorists of a railroad crossing.

Crossing-where a railroad and street cross each other.

Cross Tie-the wooden cross beams to which the rails are attached.

Dome Car-a two-level car that has a glass ceiling.

Engineer-the person who operates and "runs" the locomotive.

Freight-goods that are moved from one place to another. Common types of freight in North Carolina are lumber and coal.

Frog-a part of the track where railroad wheels cross from one rail to another.

Hi-rail-a truck or automobile with special wheels that drop down on the railroad track and allow it to drive on railroads and highways.

Locomotive-the engine that pulls the train.

Mainline-the most heavily used tracks of a railroad.

Manifest-a report that tells the crew how many passengers are riding (passenger trains) or what is being shipped as the contents of a car (freight trains).

Mile Post-a sign along the railroad that tells the distance in miles to or from a certain point.

Platform-the loading area next to the tracks for passengers to board the train.

Rolling Stock-a large group of rail cars (can be passenger cars or freight cars)

Siding-a smaller track next to the main track where a train waits while another train passes by; or a piece of track that serves a factory or warehouse.

Spike-a long, steel nail used to hold the rail to the crossties.

Station-a building where passengers can buy train tickets or wait to meet the train.

Station Agent-a person who sells train tickets and helps with trains at the station.

Switch-a device that allows trains to move from one track to another.

Track-the rails, switches and crossties over which freight and passenger trains travel.

Wye-a track arrangement shaped like a triangle that allows trains to turn around.

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