Rolling Stock
Locomotives, consists, and end-of-train equipment — the moving parts of a freight train.
- Distributed Power Unit (DPU)
A DPU is a locomotive cut into the middle or rear of a long freight train and controlled remotely from the lead unit to distribute tractive and braking effort along the consist.
- Dynamic Braking
Dynamic braking is a braking mode in which a locomotive's traction motors are switched to act as generators, converting kinetic energy into electrical resistance and providing controlled retardation without applying the air brake system.
- End-of-Train (EOT)
EOT is the operational shorthand for the rear of a freight train consist and for the electronic device — formally called an ETD — that monitors brake-pipe pressure at that location.
- End-of-Train Device (ETD)
An ETD is the FRA-mandated unit on the trailing car that monitors brake-pipe pressure and transmits status to the locomotive cab.
- Event Recorder
An event recorder is the FRA-mandated onboard data logger that continuously captures locomotive operating parameters — speed, throttle, brake applications, and signal status — for post-incident analysis.
- Locomotive
A locomotive is the self-propelled power unit that generates tractive effort to move a train consist over a railroad.
- Train Consist
A train consist is the complete ordered inventory of locomotives and cars that make up a train, used for crew briefing, air brake testing, and operational planning.