10. Truck

truck

Two- or three-axled carriage whose wheels are guided by the track; it supports a locomotive or a car.

spring

Part absorbing vibrations caused by the wheels as they move along the track.

truck frame

Framework supporting the axles, suspension, brakes and traction motors.

journal box

Part connecting the axle to the truck frame.

axle

Transversal part under a vehicle passing through the hubs of the wheels, which support it.

11. box car

box car

Car covered with a waterproof casing and having sliding side doors, for transporting cargo that must be protected from the weather and theft.

sliding channel

Groove guiding and supporting the door as it slides open and shut.

side ladder

Ladder on the side of the car for accessing the end ladder.

sill step

U-shaped support situated under the car’s frame for reaching the ladder.

telescoping uncoupling rod

Rod ending in a bent handle for uncoupling the cars.

hand brake winding lever

Vertical metal shaft, with one end connected by a chain to the hand brake wheel and the wheel house, for setting the hand brake.

hand brake gear housing

Part covering a chain transmitting the wheel’s turning movement to the hand brake winding lever.

end ladder

Ladder for climbing up and down the car to carry out certain tasks, such as uncoupling the cars and setting the hand brake.

ladders and stepladders [1]

hand brake wheel

Wheel for manually activating the brake.

horizontal end handhold

Crossbar for holding onto when moving from one side of the car to the other while coupling.

corner cap

Metal part reinforcing and protecting the edges of the car.

routing cardboard

Placard for a label listing the car’s contents.

placard board

Placard for a label warning of dangerous material.

locking lever

Bar that locks the door and prevents it from sliding.

door stop

Part stopping the door when it is closed.

12. Automatic coupler

automatic coupler

Device on each end of a locomotive or car for attaching it to another locomotive or car.

coupler knuckle

Articulated component that interlocks with the corresponding part on another car or locomotive.

coupler knuckle pin

Part around which the coupler knuckle pivots to open and uncouple.

13. Freigt cars

examples of freight cars [1]

The shape of the cars varies depending on the type of cargo being transported.

caboose

Car that is usually at the end of the train; it houses personnel, provisions and tools.

refrigerator car

Closed-box insulated car with a refrigeration unit for carrying perishable foodstuffs.

hopper car

Car for carrying bulk cargo; it has dump doors on the bottom for unloading the cargo.

intermodal car

Flat car for carrying semitrailers.

livestock car

Car with slatted sides for carrying livestock; it sometimes has two decks.

tank car

Car with a sealed reservoir for carrying liquids and gases.

box car

Car covered with a waterproof casing and having sliding side doors, for transporting cargo that must be protected from the weather and theft.