A train that serves individual customers along a branch line or industrial corridor, spotting empty cars and pulling loaded cars. Locals are typically the only rail service connecting small shippers to the broader network. They operate at lower speeds and cover fewer miles per day than through or intermodal trains.
A train that operates between two terminals without performing intermediate switching or classification work. Through trains maximize velocity by eliminating station stops and yard entries. They are distinct from local trains, which serve intermediate customers.
The act of placing a railcar at a specific loading or unloading position at a customer's facility. A car is considered spotted when it is in position and available for the shipper's use. The date and time of spotting often marks the beginning of free time for demurrage purposes.
The act of retrieving a loaded or empty car from a customer's facility after loading or unloading is complete. The shipper or consignee typically notifies the railroad when a car is ready to be pulled. Delays in pulling can result in congestion at customer facilities.
A secondary line that diverges from the mainline to serve agricultural, industrial, or rural areas with lower traffic density. Branch lines typically have lower speed limits, lighter rail, and less sophisticated signaling than mainlines. Many branch lines have been sold to short line railroads or abandoned as traffic declined.
A short section of railroad track that branches off a mainline or branch line to serve a single industrial customer. Industrial spurs are the physical connection between the railroad network and a manufacturing plant, warehouse, or processing facility. They are often owned by the railroad and maintained under a spur agreement.