Railroad Dictionary

ICE	Integrated Cab Electronics (EMD). A system that uses computer screens to replace the conventional gauges and dials on a locomotive control stand.
Idler Car	Usually a flat car used in the transportation of a long article or shipment which extends beyond the limits of the car carrying the shipment. The "idler" is a car on which the shipment or article does not rest, but overhangs.
IFC	Integrated Function Control (GE). A system that uses computer screens to replace the conventional gauges and dials on a locomotive control stand.
IIDS	Industrial Inventory Demurrage Switching System. A computer system which interfaces with all major transportation data systems and eliminates manual calculation of demurrage and other accessorial charges.
Impact Recorder (AKA Impact Register)	A mechanical device used in or on a car to register shock or vibration to the car.
Import	To receive goods from any foreign country.
Import Rate	A rate established specifically for application on import freight, and generally lower than and taking precedence over domestic rates.
Improper Signal Aspect	A signal aspect that permits a train to proceed when the condition of the block does not justify such an aspect.
In Advance of a Signal	A term used in defining the territory beyond a signal as seen from an approaching train.
In Approach of a Signal	A term used in defining the territory to which a signal indication is conveyed.
In Care Of	A shipment to be delivered to a location other than that of the consignee's location. The waybill must be noted with both the actual customer and the receiving customer.
In The Clear	A car (or train) is in the clear when it has passed over a switch and frog so far that another car (or train) can pass without collision. A car or train not blocking or fouling tracks. See On the Foul.
In The Hole (Slang)	In a siding.
In-Bond Shipment	An import or export shipment which has not been cleared by Federal customs officials.
In-Gate	Term used to indicate that a trailer or container has been brought into an intermodal site by a drayman.
Inbound Train	A train arriving at a yard or terminal.
Incidental Bill	A bill for charges accruing to a customer due to switching, demurrage, detention, storage, etc.
Increase Level	A specific amount added to the freight charges of a shipment to cover increased carrier costs. OR A field within the rate master that carries the identification of a publication that represents a RCCR (Rail Carrier Cost Recovery) increase.
Indemnity Agreement	A form protecting CSXT from duplicate claims on the same adjustment or correction.
Independent Brake Valve	A manually operated pneumatic valve in the locomotive cab used to apply and release locomotive brakes independently of train brakes.
Independent Contact	A contacting member designed to complete one circuit only.
Indication	The information conveyed by a signal.
Individual Lines Tariff	A tariff published by a particular railroad for its own use.
Industrial Carrier, Industrial Line, or Industrial Road	A short railroad owned or controlled by one or more of the principal industries served by it.
Industrial Interchange	Interchange of cars from one railroad to another which takes place within the confines of a customer's plant.
Industrial Track	A switching track serving industries, such as warehouses, mines, mills, factories, etc.
Inflammable Liquids	Liquids that give off vapors which become combustible at a certain temperature.
Ingot	A mass of metal shaped for the convenience of storage or transportation.
Initial and Number	The two parts of car identification. Together, they constitute the car number.
Initial Carrier	The carrier serving the location where the shipment originates.
Initial Reduction	The first of one or more brake pipe reductions made with the automatic brake valve.
Initiation Fee	A standard fee required by the union as a condition of obtaining membership in the union.
Inland Carrier	A transportation line which hauls export or import traffic between ports and inland points.
Input	Data prepared and transmitted to the computer.
Input Field	Location on a computer screen where data may be typed.
Inspection	To check over product for the purpose of determining its quality and condition and to determine responsibility for loss or damage.
Insulated Rail Joint	A joint in which electrical insulation is provided between adjoining rails.
Insulated Rod	A metal rod in which insulation has been inserted between its abutting ends to prevent passage of current through the rod.
Inter-Terminal Switching	The switching of cars from one location to another within a terminal area, but involving two or more railroads.
Interchange	The transfer of cars from one railroad to another at a common junction point.
Interchange Point	The location or junction where cars are transferred from one railroad to another.
Interchange Switching	The service performed in transferring cars from one transportation carrier to another as part of a through movement.
Interchange Track	A track on which freight is delivered by one transportation carrier to another.
Intercooler	That part of the air compressor used for cooling the compressed air between stages of compression.
Interfaced Waybill	A waybill created in AWS that has all necessary information to legally move a freight car. When all of the billing information is complete, the computer will generate a freight bill to the customer.
Interline	Traffic that moves between two or more carriers.
Interline Forwarded	A shipment which originates on CSXT but terminates on a non-CSXT carrier.
Interline Freight	See Interline Shipment.
Interline Received	A shipment which originates on a non-CSXT carrier but terminates on CSXT.
Interline Shipment	Freight moving from point of origin to destination over the lines of two or more railroads.
Interline Waybill	A waybill covering the movement of freight over two or more transportation carriers' tracks.
Interlocking	An arrangement of interconnected signals and signal appliances for which interlocking rules are in effect. Signals and movement of signal appliances must succeed each other in proper sequence.
Interlocking Limits	The tracks between the extreme opposing home signals of an interlocking.
Interlocking Signals	The fixed signals of an interlocking.
Intermediate Carrier (AKA Bridges or Overhead Carrier)	A railroad over which a shipment moves but on which neither the point of origin nor destination is located.
Intermediate Clause	A clause contained in a tariff which provides for rates to or from an intermediate point.
Intermediate Pick-Up	Location or activity between the origin and destination of a train where cars are added to the train.
Intermediate Point	An unnamed location between two specifically named points.
Intermediate Signal	A block signal equipped with either a number plate, a "G" marker or a "P" marker. It conveys "Stop and Proceed at Restricted Speed" as its most restrictive indication.
Intermediate Switching	Switching service performed which includes all the elements of switching performed by a carrier that neither originates nor terminates the shipment nor receives a line haul on that shipment.
Intermodal	A flexible way of transporting freight over water, highway and rail without being removed from the original transportation equipment, namely a container or trailer.
Intermodal or Piggyback Facility	A loading and/or unloading ramp for TOFC/COFC traffic only. The ramp may or may not be adjacent to a freight yard.
Intermodal Rules Tariff	Tariff with published rules and regulations governing class, commodity and freight rates applying on shipments loaded in or on trailers, containers, or demountable trailer bodies and transported on flat cars.
Intermodal Train	A freight train that consists of any combination of roadrailer equipment, double-stack or pedestal flat cars, and flat cars equipped for TOFC, COFC, multi-level auto-rack or auto frames.
Interstate Commerce Act	An act of Congress, regulating the practices, rates, and rules of transportation lines engaged in handling interstate traffic.
Interstate Traffic	Traffic moving from a point in one state to a point in another state or between points in the same state, but must pass within or through another state en route.
Intra	Within.
Intra-Plant Switching	The movement of cars from one place to another within the confines of a single industry.
Intra-Terminal Switching	Switching service performed in handling a car from a track served by the same carrier when both tracks are within the switching limits of the same station or industrial switching district.
Intrastate Traffic	Traffic between two locations in a single state and the movement is wholly within the state boundaries.
Inventory control	See TYMS.
IRDE	Interline Received Data Exchange System.
Iron (Slang)	See Switch.
Issuing Carrier	The carrier publishing a tariff or issuing a bill of lading or other document.
Item	A tariff provision of any kind bearing an "Item Number" designation.
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