We’re fortunate to be part of the friendly and passionate railfan community. 

Since 1993, The Station Inn has served railfans from all over the country, delighting travelers who are equally passionate about our railroad-themed rooms.

As an integral part of the railfanning community, it’s our responsibility to understand the railroad slang tossed around on our famous front porch (which overlooks dozens of passing trains every day). 

That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive glossary of railroad slang and railfan terms—including language you won’t necessarily pick up in a typical train magazine. 

Railfan Slang and Vocabulary: 43 Words to Know

Here’s our rundown of some of the most important words to be familiar with. If you have any you’d like to add, contact us or let us know when you book your room. 

B

Basher – Here’s a little bit of UK “trainspotter” slang. A “basher” is someone who takes a trip purely for railfanning. You’ll likely see this individual equipped with guidebooks, notebooks, and cameras. 

Bashing – Taking a trip purely for the love of railfanning. 

Bandit – A locomotive that still wears the paint scheme of a former owner, usually with the old identifying marks and number hastily “patched out” and/or looking generally ratty.

Bean Counter – A tongue-in-cheek or derogatory term for railroad executives or accountants who prioritize profits over railfan-friendly operations (like preserving heritage units or preserving industry jobs).

C

Catch – A successful sighting, photo, or video of a rare or desirable locomotive or line of train cars. Think of it like a fishing “catch!”

Consist – A line of train cars. 

D

Daylighted – This word has two different definitions, and it completely depends on which side of the Atlantic you’re located. In the US, “daylighted” refers to a tunnel that was excavated out into an open cut, exposing the tracks to daylight. In the UK, however, “daylighted” refers to a train that normally runs at night but is running during the day—often an exciting and unexpected catch.

Detour Move – When a train operates on an unusual or non-standard route due to construction, outages, or emergencies.

DPU (Distributed Power Unit) – A locomotive placed mid-train or at the rear, remotely controlled from the lead unit. These are especially popular with railfans because of the visual variety it brings to a “consist.”

Drag Freight – A long, heavy, slow-moving freight train, usually with many cars.

F

Fallen Flags – Dissolved or absorbed railroad companies, either from merging or completely going out of business. A perfect example: The Pennsylvania Railroad.

Ferroequinologist – Someone who’s interested in trains and rail transportation and who prefers a more academic-sounding label. Ferroequinologist comes from the Latin words for “iron” (ferrus) and “horse” (equine). 

Foamer – Someone whose passion for trains is unbearable, e.g. “foaming at the mouth”. It’s often used as an insult, but some railfans see it as a compliment. 

Freight Drag – A long, heavy train moving slowly—often a great subject for fans of brute horsepower, grinding steel, and railroad photography. 

G

Genset – A type of low-emission locomotive with multiple smaller engines instead of one big one. Railfans often find them strange-looking or unappealing. A fad that came and went in the early 2000s.

Going Away Shot – A photo taken from behind the train as it departs. Less preferred by some fans, but still useful in certain scenic contexts.

Grab Shot – An impromptu photo of a train, usually taken with little time to prepare. 

H

Head End – The front of the train, and typically the locomotive(s). 

Heritage Unit – A locomotive painted in a livery that honors a predecessor railroad (often a “fallen flag”). 

High Hood – An older-style locomotive with a tall front, compared to newer “wide cabs” or “comfort cabs.” Fans of vintage power love a good high hood catch.

Highball – A signal indicating that a train is clear to proceed at full speed. Among fans, it’s sometimes used more casually to mean “the train is coming fast” or “let’s get going.”

Hotshot – A high-priority freight train that moves quickly and makes minimal stops. Railfans may use this term when chasing faster trains.

L

Lash-Up – A group of locomotives connected together in a single “consist.” Can refer to both the lead units and any helpers mid-train or at the rear.

M

Mainline – The primary tracks of a railroad. Many railfans prefer mainline action over yards or other areas.

Maintenance of Way – The upkeep of railroads, particularly track inspection and maintenance. 

Meet – When two trains pass each other, often at a siding or junction. Fans sometimes plan trips around catching a meet, especially with contrasting train types. These make for especially striking photos.

Modelling – The act of enjoying model railroading. 

P

Paint Out – When a fallen flag’s logo is visibly covered or replaced with a patch of the new railroad’s paint. Raifans often lament these “paint outs” as erasures of history. (See also “Bandit”)

R

Rail Buff – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”

Railcam – A livestream camera set up at a well-known railfan location. Popular for virtual railfanning and logging catches. For an example, check out some of our live stream. 

Railgrinder – A specialized maintenance train that resurfaces the rails. Rare and exciting to spot for railfans.

Railway Enthusiast – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”

Rivet Counter – A sometimes derogatory term for an obsessive railfan who is most concerned with the minutiae of a train and its details.

S

Slug – usually made out of an older locomotive, a slug is like a locomotive except that it doesn’t contain a diesel engine.  Instead, a slug uses electric power from another locomotive (called a “mother”) to drive the traction motors.  Typically used in yards and other slow-speed situations where additional tractive effort is needed.

Switcher – a small locomotive used in a yard to move and sort railcars.

T

Three Quarter Shot – A photographic angle taken from ground level of the train approaching, such that the frame is mostly filled by the train, with the train cars trailing off in the distance.

Train Buff – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”

Train Fan – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”

Train Order Signal – An old-school semaphore or indicator that used to control train movements before radio. Still visible in a few places and beloved by fans of railroad history.

Trainspotter – This is a common British English term for a railfan, but the term has become muddled since the 1996 film based on Irvine Welsh’s novel about drug use. It’s become derogatory in some circles, meaning “people who loiter aimlessly.”

Tripod Gang – Slightly tongue-in-cheek nickname for serious train photographers who show up with heavy-duty gear and tripods.

W

Wedge – See “Three Quarter Shot” 

Z

Z-Train – A high-priority intermodal freight, sometimes referred to by railfans as “hotshots” or “Z-trains” because of their Z-prefix in train symbols, used by west coast railroads.

Use Your Newfound Railroad Vocabulary: Visit The Station Inn

Now that you have a grasp on the most important railfan slang, it’s time to talk trains on our front porch in Cresson, PA. 

Book a room today to start your journey into the heart of railroad country.