Train Terms
Trains Blocked On Line – Trains stopped between primary terminals and switched to further define the car blocks and to facilitate handling at the destination terminal.
Trains Drug Out – Trains moved from origin yard to a siding between terminals to make room in the yard to continue to build trains.
Trains Flagging – When a train crew has authority granted by a dispatcher to "flag" past a signal that is in stop indication due to a defect/event.
Trains Held Out – The number of trains held on line (out) due to lack of room in the destination yard. When a yard's receiving tracks are occupied, the terminal "holds trains out."
Trains Holding – A count of trains being held either for congestion or for a Maintenance of Way curfew. Trains holding also can refer to the HDC Trains Held Report, used to track trains that are not run on schedule due to a critical resource, such as power, crew or track congestion.
Trains Laid Down – Trains with no arrival plan for a terminal. The crews have been removed and power has likely been removed.
Trains Processed – Number of trains operated through a defined area or terminal during a specified time period.
Trains Slotted – Number of trains a terminal can process in a given period of time, usually every 24 hours.
Trains Spacing – Time spacing in which a terminal/subdivision can handle trains, such as one coal train every 30 minutes, one manifest every hour.
Trains Staging – Trains holding at a point on line for release to move into a terminal.
Trains Tied Down – Trains holding on line for relief crews, Maintenance of Way curfew, slot/spacing into a terminal. Power usually is still on the trains.
Trains Walking – When a track defect, such as a broken rail, has been determined by the Engineering Department to be passable at "walking speed."
Trains Yarded – Number of trains a terminal has yarded in a 24-hour period.
