Tariff

A tariff is a published document that outlines the rules, terms, conditions and charges associated with rail freight service. It establishes how transportation and related services are provided between a railroad and its customers.

First-Mile and Last-Mile Rail Service

First-mile and last-mile rail service is the local movement of freight between a customer facility and an interchange point with another railroad.

Short line railroads commonly provide this connection, linking local industries with the broader North American freight rail network.

Related Pages

• Railroad Company

Mobile Railcar Repair

Mobile railcar repair is inspection and repair work performed by a traveling team at a customer facility, rail yard, storage location or other site away from a fixed repair shop.

Mobile service can reduce unnecessary railcar movement by addressing eligible mechanical repairs where the equipment is located.

Wheelset

A wheelset is an assembly consisting of two railroad wheels rigidly mounted on an axle.

Wheelsets support a railcar or locomotive and guide it along the rails; defects involving wheels, axles or bearings may require inspection, repair or replacement.

Load Adjustment

Load adjustment is corrective work performed to reposition, secure, reduce or transfer a railcar load that has shifted, become unsafe or does not meet transportation requirements.

The service may involve specialized equipment and coordination with the railroad, shipper and other responsible parties before the railcar can continue.

Wayside Signal

A wayside signal is a fixed railroad signal located alongside or above the track that conveys an indication governing train movement.

Wayside signals operate as part of a signal system and may communicate authority, route, speed or track conditions according to railroad operating rules.

Related Pages

• Signaling

Highway-Rail Crossing Warning System

A highway-rail crossing warning system uses active devices such as flashing lights, bells and gates to warn roadway users of an approaching or occupying train.

The system may include train detection, control equipment, power supplies, communications and wayside components designed for the crossing.

Related Pages

• Signaling

Positive Train Control

Positive Train Control, commonly abbreviated as PTC, is a system designed to monitor and control train movements to help prevent certain train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, unauthorized incursions into work zones and movement through improperly positioned switches.

PTC integrates onboard, wayside, communications and back-office technologies and does not replace the responsibility to follow railroad operating rules.

Vegetation Management

Vegetation management is the control of trees, brush, weeds and other plant growth within railroad property and operating areas.

The work helps preserve sight distance, drainage, track access, signal visibility and clearance around railroad infrastructure.