Railroad Dictionary

O-S ing	Reporting a train by station to the train dispatcher.
OBT (On Board Terminal)	A laptop computer mounted in the operating cab of a locomotive, used to report work performed (cars picked up/pulled at customers/on line of road) to the CSC.
Occupied Caboose	A rail car being used to transport non-passenger personnel.
Ocean Carrier	A common transportation carrier whose service is dedicated to ocean traffic. The ocean carrier is regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission and engaged in foreign commerce as defined in the Shipping Act of 1916.
Office Car	Car used by railway officials for business purposes.
Official Railway Guide	A semi-monthly publication which lists all railroads in North America alphabetically. Also contains maps of various railroads, timetables, corporate officers, sales representatives, etc.
Ohm	The unit of electrical resistance.
Ohm Meter	An instrument for measuring resistance in ohms.
Ohms Law	The fundamental law of flow of electricity in a circuit. The rate of flow in amperes is equal to the electric pressure in volts divided by the resistance in ohms.
On Line	The ability to view or update data instantaneously via a computer terminal.
On the Foul (Slang) (AKA Out of Clear)	Blocking other tracks with cars, engines or equipment.
On the Ground	Derailed equipment.
On the Point	To ride on the leading end of a car or engine to protect the movement.
One-Time Refund	A reduction in revenue because an incentive was given to encourage shipping.
OPA (Opportunity Pricing Action)	Short term contracts on "Exempt" carload traffic.
Open and Prepay	Publication which lists all the stations in the US, Mexico and Canada to which rail shipments can be made. It also indicates the railroad that switches each station and any limitations applying to service (i.e. Team Track only or height restrictions).
Open Item	An account or freight bill number for which the balance due has not been brought to zero.
Open Route	When the route does not contain all of the route, junction points, or switching lines necessary to complete handling and delivery of the shipment.
Open Track	A track on which cars are not standing and which is free of any obstruction.
Open-Top Car	Cars having sides and ends but no roof. A term inclusive of gondola, hopper and ballast cars but does not include flat cars.
Operating Ratio	The percentage of revenues that goes into operating the railroad. It is calculated by dividing railway-operating expenses by railway operating revenues.
Operating Rules Manual	A publication that contains the following books: CSX Safeway Transportation, Operating Rules, Timetables, Hazardous Material Rules, Restricted Equipment Rules, Train Handling Rules, and On-Track Worker Safety Rules.
Opposing Signal	Roadway signals which govern movements in opposite directions on the same track.
OR	Rungs between vertical supports attached to the side and end of a freight car.
Order (Demurrage)	When an industry orders specific cars for loading.
Order Bill of Lading	A negotiable document. Surrender of the properly endorsed original is required upon delivery of property.
Order Board	A fixed signal to indicate to approaching trains whether to pick up train orders or not.
Order Notify	Service performed by the railroad for a shipper who wants to ensure that payment for the goods being shipped is received prior to delivery. The shipment may only be delivered on order of the shipper. The consignee is notified when the shipment has arrived in order to provide proof of payment in the form of a cashier's check, canceled check or a bond.
Ore Train	A unit train containing only carloads of ore.
Origin	The location at which a shipment begins.
Origin Agent	Railroad employee at agency who accepts freight from shippers.
Origin Audit	Specific identifying number assigned to station from which a shipment originates.
Origin Road	The railroad which originates a shipment.
Original Tariff	The tariff, as originally filed, excluding amendments.
OS and D	Over, Short and Damage. Term used to refer to freight claims.
Out of Clear	Equipment or lading on any track that does not permit safe movement on connecting or adjacent tracks.
Out-Gate	Term applied to indicate a trailer or container has been taken off of railroad property by a drayman.
Outbound Train	A train leaving a yard or terminal.
Outlawed	See Dogs Got 'Em.
Outturn Weights	Term used to indicate that the weight of a shipment will be provided at destination by the shipper or consignee.
Overage	An excess of the quantity billed.
Overcharge	Train Operations: A situation in which the brake equipment of cars and/or locomotives is charged to a higher pressure than the maximum brake pipe pressure that can normally be achieved in that part of the train. OR Accounting: Sum of charges which exceeds the proper amount according to the applicable rates in effect.
Overcharge Claim	A claim which is filed by a patron or on his behalf by an auditing firm when he disagrees with the charges he has paid.
Overhead Traffic	Those moves that CSXT participates in but for which CSXT is neither the originating nor destination carrier.
Overlap	The distance the control of one signal extends into the territory which another signal, or signals, governs.
Overreduction	A brake pipe service reduction to a pressure lower than that at which the auxiliary reservoir and brake cylinder pressures equalize.
Oversized Load	A shipment that exceeds clearance dimensions or weights.
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