Glossary of Australian railway terminology

This page contains a list of jargon used to varying degrees by railway enthusiasts / railfans and trainspotters in Australia, including nicknames for various locomotives and multiple units. Although not exhaustive, many of the entries in this list appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. Inclusion of a term in this list does not necessarily imply its universal adoption by all railfans and enthusiasts, and there may be significant regional variation in usage. State variances may be indicated by the state abbreviation, e.g. (VIC), (NSW), etc.

Words in italics indicate terms defined elsewhere in this list.

For general railway terminology, see Rail terminology. For terminology specific to the types of lines used for passenger trains, see passenger rail terminology. For terminology specific to the United Kingdom, see Glossary of UK railway terminology. For terminology specific to North America, see Glossary of North American railroad terminology. For terminology specific to New Zealand, see Glossary of New Zealand railway terminology

Contents:

Top · 0–9 · A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

This transport-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

A

• Annie Oakey Set : QR heritage carriages, allusions of the Wild West.

B

• BETY: QR pacific type BB18¼ 4-6-2 steam locomotive used on express passenger and freight trains. Named after the telegraphic code.
• Blue Babies: QR DD17 class suburban tank engine, in a blue midway between Navy and Sky blue.
• BOG : The light indicating the end of the train (Battery-operated Guard).
• Brown Bomber: A QR C17 4-8-0 (2D) steam engine, typically painted brown.

C

D

• DERM: Diesel Electric Rail Motor.
• DET: see Detonator.
• Detonator: Explosive device placed on rail and triggered by wheel pressure. Used to warn of hazard ahead.
• Dog: (VIC/QLD) Spike/Dogspike.
• Doggies: (VIC) Former "Dog Box" type red suburban trains.

E

• Evans Set: (QLD) Brisbane wooden suburban set.
• Electric Staff: System of safeworking used on single track to allow the movement of trains.

F

• Flying Flea: The portion of the Westlander that divides at Charleville for Quilpie. (Historic)

G

• Gunzel: A rail enthusiast or Train Spotter (US: Foamer).

H

• Harris: (VIC) Former Harris type (or Blue) electric suburban train.

I

L

M

N

P

• PawPaw: QR class 1170 desiel.
• Peg: Colloquial term for Train Staff (token).
• PERM: Petrol Electric Rail Motor.

R

• Rail Motor Stopping Place (RMSP): A short platform on a country line specifically for picking up and setting down of passengers of a Rail Motor.
• Rattler: (QLD) Colloquial term for former Evans sets in Brisbane.
• Red Rattler: (VIC/NSW) Colloquial term for the former red Tait (VIC) and Tulloch/Comeng single-deck (NSW) suburban electric trains.

S

• Snapper: (QLD) Roaming staff who check tickets, e.g. on trains or at stations.
• Spark: Suburban electric train.
• Steel Set: QR Suburban passenger sets from 1960s, replacing the Evans sets.
• Stick: Colloquial term for Signal.

T

• Tait: (VIC) Former Tait type (or Red) electric suburban train, known colloquially as Red Rattlers.
• Twix: Two trains on the same mainline.

U

• Uniform gauge: (QLD) standard gauge

V

W

• White Set: A Queensland Railways long distance train, from the 1950s (livery).

Y

• Yank: QR AC16 class steam loco. American Balwin locos imported during WW2. 221A still in service with QR.

See also

• Rail terminology
• Passenger rail terminology
• Glossary of UK railway terminology
• Glossary of New Zealand railway terminology
• Glossary of North American railroad terminology

References