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.
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 carrying a mixed assortment of carload freight bound for multiple destinations, as opposed to a unit train. Manifest trains typically undergo classification at intermediate yards to set out and pick up cars. They are the backbone of the carload business and handle the broadest variety of commodities.
A train composed entirely of cars carrying the same commodity between a single origin and a single destination, running as a dedicated shuttle. Unit trains eliminate intermediate classification, reducing transit time and cost. Common examples include coal trains, grain trains, and crude oil trains.