Railroad Dictionary

UMLER (Universal Machine Language Equipment Register)	A computer file, maintained by the Transportation Division of the AAR in Washington, D.C. containing specific details on railroad equipment (specifications manual found in the official Railway Equipment Register).
Unabsorbed Switching	The amount in a switching charge the railroad will not absorb because it will cause a loss on the shipment. The excess amount is billed to the customer responsible for the freight charges.
Unapplied Payment	Customer remittance for which no computer match is located (i.e., a payment sent with missing or erroneous supporting documentation).
Unassigned Car	A car usually with some interior loading devices that is not assigned to a particular industry or commodity.
Unclaimed Freight	Freight which has not been called for by the consignee or owner.
Uncoupling Lever (AKA Uncoupling Rod)	A rod with a bent handle forming a lever, usually attached to the end sill, by which the lock of the automatic coupler is opened and the cars uncoupled without going between them.
Undesired Emergency (AKA Dynamiter, Kicker, Quick Triple)	An emergency air brake application not intentionally initiated by a crew member.
Uniform Demurrage Rules	Schedules providing rules and charges for demurrage which are, in general, used throughout the United States, having the approval of, but not prescribed by, the STB.
Uniform Freight Classification	A tariff containing a listing of articles (commodities) showing their assigned class rating (a percentage of first class) to be used together with governing rules and regulations in determining freight rates.
Unit Train	A train operating generally intact between point of origin and final destination, normally hauling a single bulk commodity, composed of like cars, equipped with high-tensile couplers.
Unitizing	A loading method for handling packed goods on pallets, skids, or slip sheets to facilitate mechanical loading.
Units In-Consist	Locomotive units, coupled pneumatically, to permit multiple operation of locomotive air brake equipment from a single controlling unit. Units In-Consist may be further defined to include: Dead In-Consist: Units on which the diesel engine is shut down or not operating. Running In-Consist: Units on which the diesel engine is operating. These units may be on-line and effective for normal operation or off-line and ineffective.
Units In-Tow	Locomotive units that must be handled next behind the locomotive consist, which are not coupled pneumatically for multiple operation of locomotive air brake equipment.
Up-front Refund	A reduction in revenue because the freight price used to rate the move was reduced.
back to top