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.
Pantograph
A metal assembly on the roof of an electric unit to collect current from overhead wire.
Point
One railway track turning into two or three tracks, or the crossing of one track with another.
Point Motor
An electric motor or solenoid used for changing the points.
Point Rodding
The rodding or wires which move the point either from an electric motor or solenoid or from the lever in a signal box.
PO (Private Owner) Wagons
Private Owner wagons are vehicles owned privately and not by the railway company running them. In the steam era, many PO wagons were owned by private collieries and coal merchants before the rail and coal industries became nationalised in 1948. Tank wagons are often owned by the oil company whose name appears on the side.
Power Unit
Transformer and rectifier used to convert the mains electricity (normally 240V AC) to the smaller voltage required by a model railway controller (normally 12V DC) or Digital Command and Control systems (DCC).
Prototype
The full size locomotive, coach or wagon; Full size railway practice.
Push/Pull
A type of train where the carriages are kept permanently coupled to the locomotive which pulls them in one direction then pushes them in the other.
Q Train
A special train manned by British Transport Police officers that can be stopped at any time to deal with cases of vandalism, trespass or other crimes on the railway.
Rain Strips
Curved pieces of wood or metal fixed on a coach roof to prevent the rain running down the sides when the doors are opened.
Ramp
The sloping end of a station platform; Sloping object in the centre of the running rails in model railways usually used for uncoupling.
Ready-To-Run
A model which can be taken straight out of the box, placed on your layout, and run. All Hornby locomotives and rolling stock are manufactured as ‘ready-to-run’.
Rectifier
An electrical item used for changing Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC).
Relay
An electrical device for switching currents to other circuits; The opening or closing of a circuit. A relay can also be used in place of a point motor.
Resistance
A measurement of electricity; A substance which reduces the flow of electricity.
Reverse Loop
A model railway track which loops 180° to turn trains round to the direction from which they came.
Reversing Switch
Electrical switch which changes the polarity of the electrical supply to the model railway and thus reverses the direction of the locomotive.
Rolling Stock
Anything with wheels on it which can run on the track including locomotives, carriages, freight wagons and maintenance vehicles.