| Like any hobby, model railroading has a various terms | | | | delivered or received from one railroad to another. |
| that relate specifically to the hobby. This can be | | | | A Junction is where two or more railroad lines |
| confusing for those who are just getting started. | | | | converge as per the timetable. |
| Although things might sound complicated, once you get | | | | A Siding is a track used for meeting or passing other |
| to know what most people are talking about, the | | | | trains adjacent to a main track. |
| hobby becomes much easier to understand. The good | | | | Spotting Cars are for switching freight cars to a |
| thing is that the same railroading terms are used | | | | specified location for loading and unloading. |
| worldwide with just a few exceptions. For example in | | | | A Tank Car is a railway wagon (car) with a tank for |
| the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the | | | | carrying liquids like compressed gasses, acids, oils and |
| expression "railway" is generally used instead of | | | | granular solids. |
| "railroad" in North America. | | | | Tare Weight is the weight of an empty railroad car. |
| The spelling of words varies a little from British English | | | | A Yard is the tracks used for the making up of trains |
| to American English. Examples are: analogue and | | | | and the storing of cars. |
| analog, modeller and modeler, colour and color. OO | | | | The term Yard Limits refers to the track between |
| gauge is the main train scale in the UK whereas HO | | | | Yard Limit signs and restricted speeds apply within |
| scale is the most popular in the USA. They are very | | | | Yard Limits. |
| similar is size but not exactly identical - HO scale is 1:87 | | | | Another term that creates a little confusion with |
| scale and OO is 1:76. | | | | beginners is "bench work." It typically refers to the |
| Here is some common railroading terms that cause a | | | | "platform", or "baseboard" the layout sits on. |
| bit of confusion: | | | | There are a few other terms that are a trap for |
| The Engineer is the crew member whose duty it is to | | | | beginners, but it is really a case of learning a few new |
| operate a train. | | | | things each day, and try not to get overwhelmed with |
| A Frog is the "X" shaped portion of a switch. | | | | information overload. If you do not understand a term, |
| An Interchange is the track on which cars are | | | | look it up on the internet, or ask the person to explain. |