RAILROAD GLOSSARY Freight Rail Handbook Piggyback A term used to describe the hauling of loaded or empty highway trailers or containers on railroad flat cars. Pigs Trailers and containers. Placarded Car A railcar placarded under requirements of the Department of Transportation regulations. Placement When the car is actually placed in the industry by the railroad. Plate A size indication found on the side of a car having to do with clearance dimensions. Explanations can be found in Equipment Register. Plug Door A door on refrigerated or box cars that is flush with side of car when closed. To open, a lever mechanism is twisted until the door is disjoined, then the door slides down a track until the doorway is clear. Pool Cars Specially equipped cars of different ownerships assigned to a specific company or location. Power-Operated Switch A remotely controlled switch. It is operated electrically or electropneumatically. See dual-controlled switch. Pre-Tested Train A train on which the air brakes have been inspected and tested prior to the addition of the outbound locomotive consist. Following addition of the outbound locomotive consist; an application and release test of the rear is required before departure. Private Car A car having other than railroad ownership. Private Siding A side track owned or leased by an individual or firm. Radio Controlled Engine An unmanned engine situated within the train separated by cars from the lead unit, but controlled from it by radio signals. Rail A length of track, usually 39 feet long. Rail Freight Car A car designed to carry freight or non-passenger personnel by rail and includes: box car, flat car, gondola car, hopper car, tank car, and occupied caboose. Receiving Track A track used for arriving trains. Receiving Yard A section of a yard in which one or more receiving tracks are located. Reciprocal Switching A mutual interchange of inbound and outbound carload freight that is switched to or from a siding or another carrier under a regular switching charge. The carrier receiving the line haul usually absorbs the charge.