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.
Saddle
The cradle in which the smokebox end of the boiler of a locomotive rests.
Scale
The relationship in size between the model and the full size item. For more information click here.
Scissors Crossover
The facing and trailing crossovers between two adjacent tracks.
Section
In railway terms a length of track, usually between two signals.
Semaphore Signal
A signal that uses a moving arm to indicate the state of the line ahead. Having the signal arm pointed horizontally usually indicates that the next section contains a train. A raised or lowered arm indicates the line is clear. The arm also has coloured filters fitted which are moved in front of a lamp when the signal arm moves to help drivers see the signal at night.
Short Circuit
The negative and positive wires of an electrical supply touching one another. One example of a short circuit is when a metal object, i.e a screwdriver, is placed on the track providing a path for electricity from one electrical circuit to another.
Shunting
The movement required to re-arrange the position of wagons or coaches in a train; To pick-up and set-down wagons in a goods train.
Shunting Signal
A smaller than normal signal that is used specifically to indicate whether or not particular shunting moves may take place. A shunting signal is usually represented on a modern image layouts with a colour light ground signal.
Signal Box
A building from which the surrounding points and signals are operated. May contain either a lever frame or in more modern signal boxes a panel containing switches and coloured lights.
Six-foot Way
The distance between two railway lines on a railway.
Sleeper
The wooden or concrete beam on which the rails rest and are kept in position by a chair.
Slide Bar
The two parallel metal bars or strips in which the crosshead slides, forming part of the valve gear.
Solenoid
The effect of a current passed round the coil of a solenoid producing a forced magnetism which pulls the solenoid’s centre core down, providing energy to operate points and signals. A solenoid is similar in action to a relay.
Spectacle Plate
Windows at the cab front enabling the driver and fireman to have forward vision.
Splashers
The coverings on the upper part of a footplate protecting the driver and fireman from being splashed by rain or mud.
Spur Drive
The drive through a chain of gears.
Spring Motor
A clockwork mechanism.
SR (Southern Railway)
Formed in 1923, the SR was one of the 'Big Four' railway companies in the UK. It was made up of the London & South Western Railway (LSWR), London, Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) and the South East & Chatham Railway (SECR). The SR became part of British Rail in 1948.
Starting Signal
An extra signal placed at the departure end of a platform to allow trains to run into the station and stop, even though there is a train in the next section.
Three Aspect Signal
A colour light signal using three lights. From top to bottom, in order, the lights are green, yellow and red. A red light means the next section contains a train. A yellow light means the next section is clear but there is a train in the following one. A green indicates the next two sections are clear.
TOPS (Total Operations Processing System)
A computer-based program developed by British Rail to monitor the movements of all freight and passenger rolling stock, and locomotives. The system was introduced in the early 1970s to record every movement of freight traffic and non-multiple unit passenger trains. The information is broadcast live to a central computer to form a comprehensive and up-to-the-minute picture of the freight and passenger traffic situation over the whole of the rail network.
Trailing Points
Turnouts (points) or crossovers which are against the direction of travel, i.e. a train has to reverse to pass over them.
Two Aspect Signal
A colour light signal using two lights. A two aspect signal can either be yellow and green, or red and green. As with other colour light signal formations, a yellow aspect means the next section is clear but there is a train in the following one. A green indicates the next two sections are clear.
Turnout
See point.