;
Rack railway, rack-and-pinion railway, or cog railway : A steep-grade railway with a toothed rack rail (usually between the running rails), used when adhesion is insufficient ;
Railbus : A passenger rail vehicle (typically non-articulated or rigid frame) that derived from bus propulsion and construction technology, but may evolve into larger dimensions, performance, and characteristics similar in appearance to a light
DMU railcar ;
Railcar : A self-propelled single-unit or
articulated passenger car with a driver's cab at one or both ends. In multiples, may be called a
diesel multiple unit (DMU) or
electric multiple unit (EMU). ; Rail crossing : The opposite of a
dead-end rail, i.e. a line connecting locations accessed by other railways, often associated with the overcoming of natural obstacles, such as mountain ranges. Not to be confused with a railway crossing a road (see
Level crossing). ;
Railfan : A hobbyist or enthusiast of trains ;
Rail grinder : A machine used to remove irregularities in the surface of the rails that may be self-powered or part of a
consist ;
Rail profile : The cross-sectional shape of a rail. There are many rail profiles, often specific to individual railroads. Rails must be periodically scanned electronically, their data inspected and analysed, then re-profiled with rail grinding machines to maintain the correct profile. Rails that cannot be restored are condemned and replaced. ;
Rail squeal : A screeching train–track friction sound, most commonly occurring on
sharp curves or heavy braking ;
Rail tractor : A small petrol (gas) or diesel
shunting (switcher) locomotive ;
Railroad car : Any railroad vehicle other than a locomotive ;
Railroadiana : Artifacts of railways around the world ; , railroad line, rail line, or train line : A railway route connecting two or more places or other railway routes : A railway route constructed by an organization, usually one formed for that purpose : A railway route that has an official name (notably bestowed by
engineers line references in the UK) : A set of railway routes that are bundled for publicity purposes (e.g. a UK
train operating company) ;
Railway station : in
Washington, D.C., an example of a railway stationA
train station, a stopping point for trains, usually with passenger access ;
Railway terminal : A building for passengers at the end of a railway line ;
Red : A colour generally associated with stop, when shown by signals or flags ; Red zone : The area between, under, or within a few feet of cars and locomotives. To enter the zone, a ground employee must obtain protection from the locomotive engineer (if a locomotive is coupled) or a blue signal (if no locomotive is coupled). ;
Reefer : A refrigerated railcar, used to transport perishable goods ; : A siding used as a passing place on a main line, where slow trains may be held whilst an express passes—a simpler, but less convenient, form of the passing loop ;
Reporting mark : A two- to four-letter code, assigned by the
Association of American Railroads, that is applied to equipment operating on North American railroads to identify the owner ; Rerail frog or rerailer : A metal casting incorporating a slot that allows the casting to fit over the rail near the wheel of a derailed car. The locomotive then pushes or pulls the car so that the derailed wheel runs up the rerailer and back on to the track. ;
Retarder : A device installed in a
classification yard used to reduce the speed of
freight cars as they are sorted into consists ;
Reverser or
reverser handle : The handle that controls the directional control on a locomotive. See also
Cut off. ; Ribbon rail : Continuously welded rail ;
Roadrailer : A highway trailer, or semi-trailer, that is specially equipped for direct use on a railroad ;
Rolling stock : In UK parlance, any railway vehicle that is not capable of moving under its own power : In US parlance, any railroad car or locomotive ;
Rookie : See
Trainee. ; Rotary : Short for
rotary snowplow, an extreme-duty railroad snowplow used mainly in the mountain ranges of the American West ;
Roundhouse : , Hyogo, Japan, the terminus of the line from
MiyazuA circular or semi-circular structure used for storage and running maintenance of locomotives ; , punch box, or train-identification pushbuttons (
New York City Subway) : A box or panel adjacent to a rail line at an
interlocking, with several buttons for train operators to select a desired route, which is then either communicated to a signal tower where an operator fulfills the request, or switched automatically ;
Ruling gradient : The longest or steepest grade on a division, thus setting the standard for track speeds, locomotive tonnage ratings, and train handling instructions ; Run : The action verb for the train's movement. The train
runs across the track. ; Runaway : A heavy train that has lost speed control while descending a steep grade, due to either brake failure or poor preparation by the crew ; Running track : An other-than-main track, typically providing access to a yard or industry and governed by the requirements of restricted speed ;
Run-round : The practice of detaching a locomotive from its train, driving it to the other end of the train and re-attaching it, to allow the train to proceed in the direction it has just come from (e.g. when it reaches its destination and forms a service in the other direction). ; Run-through power : Locomotives that remain attached to a manifest or unit train from their home rails over the tracks of a receiving railroad until the train reaches its final destination == S ==