( MODEL ) RAILROAD SLANG, enrich our vocabulary

[lupo]

Last week visiting the coffeeshop dharmon and YNCS and others enriched my vocabulary with some navy slang, brownshoes bubblehead and others.
I know just a few railroad related:
snake = switchman
foamer = a railroad modeller
but there must be dozens more, that I do not know, because the only english I know is the engli***hey teached me at school ( at least 25 years ago ) and what I picked up afterwards watching TV and movies.
so who enriches my ( and maybe your ) vocabulary?

Thanks,
LUPO

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

foamer = a railroad modeller

Actually foamer is an employee's name for railfan.

[fec153]

lupo, careful what you ask for. Some of the words could be dangerous to your health.
Or to your body.
Phil

[Anonymous]

Here's a link to a page that should have everything you need, Lupo:

http://www.rrb.gov/funfacts3.html

[:)]

[coal drag]

GARF
Greasy As@ Rail Fan

Got that one from an NS employee that rode with their passenger cars far fan trips.

[Anonymous]

Here are some model slang terms that I know.

Eggshell. The description of texture left when paint is sprayed under wrong conditions, allowing it to partially dry before coming in contact with the model.

Fish-eye. A description of the mark made by residual oils, mold release agents, and other contaminants on a models surface as it chemicly reacts with drying paint.

Run, a build of paint on a models surface to the extent it forms a puddle and flows down hill while it is still wet.

Sink Spot, a defect on a model by which part of the models surface is lower than its surondings.

Pin Mark, A defect on a model left by the ejection mechinsim inside an ijection molding machine. Can also be defined as a pefectly circular sink spot.

Flash. Excess material at the edge of a molded part. (Can be corrected by removing with file or hobby knife)

Angel Hair. A hair like strand of model or thick CA glue created by the glue's elasticity as it streatches out while puling the glue applicator away from the model.

crazed glass. A condition by which clear material becomes frosted in appearence.

Hack Job. 1: Denotes a model made by extensive kit bashing and elaborate modification. 2: a Hastily constructed or crudely built model.

Tail Heavy,. A model airplane designed to sit on Tri-cycle landing gear (e.g. an F-86 Saber Jet) but due to further back center of gravity than prototype, sits on its tail.

These are all of the mode building slang terms I can think of at this time. Feel free to add to this if you know more.

[Junctionfan]

Thease are what I usually hear from others who work on the railroads. "Pike" seem to mean line, subdivision; "running light" means motive power without cars on the move; "rattle cab" I have heard engineers refer to GEs this. Can't think of any more right now. I try again later.

[Jetrock]

boomer: railroad employee who goes from employer to employer on a regular basis, rather than sticking with a single road

crummy, hack: the lovable caboose

juice jack: fan of electric freight motors

trolley jolly: trolley enthusiast

[lupo]

thanks so far! but keep 'm coming there must be more!

[AntonioFP45]

Eagle Eye, Hogger - Locomotive Engineer
Gandy Dancers - Railroad Track maintenance workers

Here's one from the mid 1970s when Amtrak trains kept derailing and the SDP40fs were blamed for it: Red Ribbed Rail Rippers!

[88gta350]

"Blue Goose: A high-rail car used by management to get out of the office and look important."

I liked that one! Especially since it was coming from the RRRB

[MAbruce]

Some obvious ones:

LHS = Local Hobby Store.

MRR = Model Rail Road.

MRR Budget = Something I dream about more than actually have. [sigh]

RTR = Ready To Run.

DC = Direct Current (sometimes called “Block DC”). The traditional way to run trains on your MRR

DCC = Digital Command Control.

DCC Budget = Something I hope to have someday.

Prototype Modeling = Used to describe a strict adherence to modeling a real life place/time/era.

Freelance = Modeling fictitious places and/or railroads.

Cheapo-lance = Taking freelance a step further by integrating equipment from various eras & railroads because it was on clearance. [:-^]

[BRAKIE]

WABASHED: What one feels like doing to a kit if it isn't going together the way it should...[:0][;)]

[robengland]

0-5-0 switcher = moving it by hand (aka Hand of God)

12"-to-the-foot scale = the real thing

shake the box = very simple kit

[Anonymous]

Croaker layout: a layout so big that the modeler won't finish it in his lifetime (before he croaks).

Rivet counter: A stickler for accuracy, can be used in a derogatory manner

arm chair modeler: one who doesn't have a layout - often full of advice about yours...

Guy

[Dayliner]

"Groundhog": runs the engine from the ground using a belt-pack.

[BRAKIE]

Idiot glue..Super glue..That what most guys/gals fell like when they "super glue" their fingers together.[}:)]
Wreck-A first attempt at kit bashing.[:0]
Old prototype Charlie..One that finds fault with everybody's locomotives but,yet runs who knows what because nobody,but nobody has ever seen his models.[:0]
Meat slicer..Any modeling knife.[:0]
Treasure box..Your parts box.[:D]
Layout.The money you spend for locomotives,cars etc but don't have a place to run them.
Reality check..Balancing your check book and looking over the charge account. billing.[}:)]
Stare of death..What your better half gives you when she finds out what you paid for the newest locomotive.[:0]
Reverse move.What you do when you receive that death stare.
Ballast burner..A modeler that runs his trains way to fast.
Old Dusty. A modeler whose models have 2 inches of dust on them from not being ran.
Hop a long. A engine or car that continually jumps the track.[}:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce
DCC Budget = Something I hope to have someday.

Me too! [:D]