Rail terminology

Trains are a lot like cars, just a lot bigger and heavier. Here are some important things to know about the words we use to talk about trains:

Rails: This is the metal track that the train rolls on. It's like the "road" for trains.

Locomotive: This is the train engine that pulls all the other train cars. It's like the "driver" of the train.

Car: This is one of the train cars. There are lots of different kinds of train cars, like ones for carrying goods, people, or even animals.

Coupler: This is the metal part that connects one train car to another. It's like how you might connect your toy train cars together.

Caboose: This is a special kind of train car that used to be at the end of the train. It had a little room where the train workers could sit and watch the track behind them. Nowadays, caboose isn't used much.

Switch: This is a special rail that lets the train go from one track to another. It's like a turnoff for trains.

Yard: This is where trains go when they're not being used. It's like a big parking garage for trains.

Signals: These are lights that tell the train driver when it's safe to go or stop. It's like a traffic light for trains.

Crossing: This is where the train tracks intersect with a road. It's like a place where a train and car can meet.