What is a chair, a Jinty or a kip? What is a Q-Train, an XPT or a Z Stop? Even to the most experienced railway modeller some words are difficult to understand. Hornby’s Jargon Directory explains some of these words and phrases.
Lever Frame
The assembly which holds the signal and point levers in a signal box or ground frame. A lever frame is made up of slots for the levers to operate in and allows for them to be locked together.
Live Steam
A method of powering a locomotive, as opposed to electric current. Hornby is the first manufacturer to commercially produce a Live Steam locomotive, powered entirely by steam, in ‘00’ gauge.
LMS (London, Midland & Scottish Railway)
One of the 'Big Four' train companies formed on 1 January 1923, encompassing the London & North Western Railway (LNWR), Midland Railway, North Staffordshire Railway (NSR), Furness Railway (FR), Caledonian Railway (CR), Glasgow & South Western Railway (GSWR) and Highland Railway (HR). The LMS became part of British Rail in 1948.
LNER (London & North Eastern Railway)
Formed in 1923, the LNER was one of the 'Big Four' railway companies. The LNER was made up of the Great Central Railway (GCR), Great Eastern Railway (GER), Great North of Scotland Railway (GNSR), Great Northern Railway (GNR), North British Railway (NBR) and the North Eastern Railway (NER).
Loading Gauge
The size limit for locomotives, freight and passenger rolling stock over a specific stretch of railway. This is measured horizontally in relation to position of platform edges and tunnel walls, for example, and vertically in relation to bridge and tunnel heights. The loading gauge can vary considerably for the same track gauge, especially in other parts of Europe and North America; A metal frame, often found in freight yards, suspended over the track to indicate the limit an open freight wagon may be safely loaded.
Lower Quadrant Signal
A semaphore signal that lowers its arm to indicate the line ahead is clear.
Louvers
Horizontal slots cut into the sides of diesel and electric locomotives and certain goods vans to give ventilation.
Main Frame
The strong metal sides of the chassis of a locomotive in which holes are drilled for axles. They also carry the spacing pieces and fixings for the locomotive’s motor.
Merry-Go-Round (MGR)
Merry-Go-Round trains began in the early 1960s to describe trains supplying coal to electric power stations. MGR trains consist of permanently coupled hopper wagons, fast loading of coal from a storage hopper at a colliery and automatic discharge over the power station’s receiving hopper. The advantages of an MGR system include doing away with the need for extra locomotives and wagons, and special sidings for loading and unloading coal.
Modern Image
A term applied to today's railway scene. The modeller of the today’s railways is often called a 'modern image' modeller.
Multiple Unit
A set of coaches which are self-powered and have a driving compartment at each end. Multiple Units are usually powered by electric motors or diesel engines.
Narrow Gauge
A railway running on tracks having a closer distance between the rails than normal.
Ohm
The measurement of the resistance in an electrical circuit.
Outer Home Signal
An additional signal placed before the home signal that protects trains shunting back past the home signal. It also indicates station limits at the approach end of a station.
Overload
Where the electrical load (i.e. several model locomotives running at the same time) requires more power than the transformer or controller can give.