Smoke deflectorsSmoke deflectors, sometimes called "blinkers" in the UK because of their strong resemblance to the blinkers used on horses, and "elephant ears" in US railway slang, are vertical plates attached to each side of the smokebox at the front of a steam locomotive.
Do trains still use cow catchers?
A cowcatcher is a reinforced obstacle deflector mounted on the front of a train. Modern trains do still use them, but modern ones don't have the iconic appearance of the kind you see in Western movies.
What is the thing on top of the train?
The pantograph is located on the roof of the train and collects the electricity needed to power the train.
What is the train compartment called?
A compartment coach is a railway passenger coach (US: passenger car) divided into separate areas or compartments, with no means of moving between compartments.
What’s the thing on the front of a train called?
Do train hobos still exist?
For a variety of reasons the practice is less common in the 21st century, although a community of freight-train riders still exists. Typically, hoppers will go to a rail yard where trains stop to pick up and unload freight and switch out crew.
Why do trains still honk?
Why do trains sound their horn? Federal law requires the train crew when approaching a road crossing to sound the horn at all public crossings for the protection and safety of motorists and pedestrians regardless of whether crossings with gates and lights are present.
Do all trains have cow catchers?
Modern train engines still use cow catchers, aka pilots, though the designs have changed quite a lot from the ones we're familiar with from old Western films. Why do trains have cow catchers? What is a Cow Catcher? A cow catcher is a device attached to the front of a train to clear obstacles from a track.
What is the triangle thing on a train?
In railroad structures, and rail terminology, a wye (like the 'Y' glyph) or triangular junction (often shortened to just triangle) is a triangular joining arrangement of three rail lines with a railroad switch (set of points) at each corner connecting to the incoming lines. A turning wye is a specific case.
What is a bogie frame?
A bogie frame is a chassis or framework carrying wheels attached to the train, serving as a modular sub-assembly of wheels and axles to provide some degree of cushioning against the shocks transmitted from the track during motion. A bogie usually remains attached to a railway carriage or locomotive.