Railroading 101 - Learn about Railroading in North America

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AAR Railroad Classifications

Class I Railroad:
- Any railroad classified by the STB as Class I (2017 operating revenues > $447.6 million)
Regional Railroad:
- Must be non-Class I line-haul railroad
- Annual revenues of at least $40 million
- Or, annual revenues of at least $20 million and operating at least 350 miles of road
Local Railroad:
- Neither a Class I nor a Regional Railroad
- Engaged primarily in line-haul service.
Switching & Terminal Railroad:
- A non-Class I railroad engaged primarily in switching and/or terminal services for other railroads.

A yoke is the connection between the coupler (or drawbar) and the rest of the draft system. The coupler connects to one end and draft or buff loads are transmitted through the yoke to the draft gear,which fits inside the yoke. [Read more…] about Yoke

Vertical Wear Liner

The vertical wear liner is a hardened steel ring welded into the center bowl of a truck bolster to prevent the body center plate from wearing into the bolster bowl ring.

American Railroad Association (ARA)

Predecessor trade organization to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Wheel Gauging: Wheel Flange

Vertical Flange & Thin Flange

High Flange