RAILROAD GLOSSARY Freight Rail Handbook Switcher A road assignment that spots, pulls, and classifies cars within a terminal or industrial area. Switching The process of putting cars in a specific order (as in a classification yard), placing cars for loading or retrieving empties (industrial switching), or the process of adding or removing cars from a train at an intermediate point. OR The movement of cars from one point to another within the limits of an individual plant, industrial area, or a rail yard. Tangent Track Straight track. Tank Car A car the body of which consists of a tank for carrying liquids such as oil, molasses, vinegar, acids, compressed gasses and granular solids. Tare Weight (AKA Light Weight or Tare) The weight of an empty railroad car. Tariff A publication issued by carriers or their agents, showing rates, fares, charges, classifications, rules, etc. of the carrier. Team Track A track subject to use by the general public, with facilities for loading and unloading cars. (Also known as Public Delivery Track) Terminal A facility owned by a railroad on its line for the handling of freight and for the breaking up, making up, forwarding, and servicing of trains. OR An input/output (I/O) device connected to a computer. OR Point where train and engine employees originate and/or terminate their tour of duty. OR A designated area within a metropolitan area where one or more rail yards exist. Through Train Train operating between principal terminals, usually with few, if any, stops to set out, pickup, or switch cars. Timetable A publication containing instructions relating to the movement of trains or equipment and other essential information. TOFC (Trailer on Flat Car) Freight loaded in trailers and transported by rail on flat cars. Sometimes called piggyback, pig, or tote. Track The space between the rails and space of not less than four feet outside each rail. Trackage Right Right obtained by one railroad to operate its trains over tracks of another railroad. Traffic Control Signal System (TCS) A signal system under which opposing and following train movements are authorized and governed by block signals. Trailing Movement The movement of a train over the points of a switch that face in the direction in which the train is moving. Trailing Point Switch A switch, the points of which face away from approaching traffic.