Bradshaw:Glossary

B:G

Not everyone knows all the hundreds of rail-specific acronyms and initialisms, so if any pop up in conversation on the Discord server add them and their meaning below so others can look them up.

Please keep these in alphabetical order so that it is easy to find a specific term.

0-9

4LM: Four Lines Modernisation programme
4 Foot The space between the two running rails on a section of track
6 Foot The area between a pair of running lines
10 Foot The area between two pairs of running lines

A

AB: Absolute Block
ABCL: Automatic Barrier Crossing, Locally Monitored
ABDO: Automatic Braking and Door Opening
ACOA: Adverse Change Of Aspect
ACWN: Altered Carriage Working Notice
AHB: Automatic Half-Barrier Crossing
AHBC: Automatic Half-Barrier Crossing
ANP: Auto Not Permitted
An operating state on London Underground lines using Automatic Train Operations (ATO), where trains have been prevented from operating in ATO mode and must instead operate in CM or PM, generally initiated due to staff on or around the track area.
AOCL: Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored
ARL: Arriva Rail London
ARS: Automatic Route Setting
ASC: Area Signalling Centre
ASDO: Automatic Selective Door Opening. See also SDO and UDS
ATC: Automatic Train Control
ATO: Automatic Train Operation
ATOC: Association of Train Operating Companies
ATP: Automatic Train Protection
ATS: Automatic Tram Stop
ATW: Arriva Trains Wales
AWC: Avanti West Coast
AWS: Automatic Warning System

B

BML: Brighton Main Line
BR: British Rail
BTC: British Transport Commission
BTP: British Transport Police

C

C+H: Circle and Hammersmith & City lines
CAPE: Cancelled At Point of Entry
CAWS: Continuous Automatic Warning System
CBTC: Communications Based Train Control
Name given to the SelTrac installation being installed on London Underground’s SSR as part of the Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) project to enable Automatic Train Operation. See also TBTC and DTG-R
CD: Close Doors (indication)
CDL: Central Door Locking
CDP: Continuous Development Programme
Cess: The area along either side of a railway line which is kept at a lower level than the sleeper bottom, in order to provide drainage. May also be considered as a place of safety.
CIS: Customer Information System
CLR: Central London Railway
CM: Coded Manual
A mode of operation used on London Underground’s Central and Victoria lines where the Train Operator drives the train manually at up to normal line speed using signalling information provided on an in-cab display. See also PM
CMS: Competency Management System
Corridor of Doom: A liminal space of substantial length inspired by those located at King's Cross St. Pancras and Green Park stations on the London Underground
(C)COS: (Crossrail) Central Operation Section
The Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Paddington via Central London. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Crossrail Core.
CoT: Close of Traffic
CR: Chiltern Railways
CRS: Computer Reservation System
CS: Caledonian Sleeper
CSA: Customer Service Assistant
CSDE: Correct Side Door Enable
CSL2: Customer Service Level 2
CSLR: City & South London Railway
CSR: Cab Secure Radio
CTBC: Combined Traction Brake Controller, See also TBC
CTRL: Channel Tunnel Rail Link
CWN: Carriage Working Notice

D

DCO: Driver Controlled Operation
A system of operation on the National Rail network where a train operates with both a driver and at least one other member of staff onboard, but where the driver is responsible for operation of the trains doors as well as driving the train.
DCV: Doors Closed Visual
DDA: Disability Discrimination Act
DISI: Defective in Service Instructions
DLR: Docklands Light Railway
DOO: Driver Only Operation
A system of operation on the National Rail Network where the only member of operational staff onboard a train is the driver who is responsible for all aspects of the trains operation. Analogous to OPO on London Underground
DRA: Driver Reminder Appliance
DRM: Duty Reliability Manager (London Underground equivalent of Mobile Operations Manager [MOM].)
DRS: Direct Rail Services
DSD: Driver's Safety Device
DTG-R: Distance to Go Radio
Automatic Train Operation system in use on London Underground’s Victoria line. See also CBTC and TBTC
DVA: Digital Voice Announcer

E

E*: Eurostar
ECML: East Coast Main Line
ECS: Empty Coaching Stock
EDNE: Emergency Do Not Enter sign
ELL: East London Line
EMR: East Midlands Railway
EMT: East Midlands Trains
EP: Entry Point
EPH: Electric Point Heater
ERTMS: European Rail Traffic Management System
ERU: Emergency Response Unit
ES: Eurostar
ESDC: Emergency Saloon Door Control
ESR: Emergency Speed Restriction
ESTL: End State Track Layout, a programme of track rationalisation as part of the London Underground's Four Lines Modernisation.
ETCS: European Train Control System

F

FGW: First Great Western
FLIRT: Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train
FOC: Freight Operating Company
FPI: Facing Points Indicator
FPL: Facing Point Lock
FRL: Fixed Red Light

G

GA: Greater Anglia
GBR: Great British Railways
GC: Great Central
GEML: Great Eastern Main Line
GLA: Greater London Area
GLA: Greater London Authority
GLC: Greater London Council
GN: Great Northern
GoA (0-4): Grade of Automation
GOBLIN: Gospel Oak to Barking Line
GOP: Guard's Operating Panel
GSM-R: Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway
GTR: Govia Thameslink Railway
GWML: Great Western Main Line
GWR: Great Western Railway
GX: Gatwick Express

H

File:Hull Trains Class 802.jpg

A Hull Trains class 802 at St. Pancras

HEX: Heathrow Express
HML: Highland Main Line
HS1: High Speed 1
HS2: High Speed 2
HST: High Speed Train
HT: Hull Trains

I

IBJ: Insulated Block Joint (aka IRJ)
IC: Intercity
IECC: Integrated Electronic Control Centre
IEP: Intercity Express Programme
IET: Intercity Express Train
IMR: Interlocking Machine Room
IoW: Isle of Wight
IRJ: Insulated Rail Joint (aka IBJ)

J

Platform Edge Doors at Canada Water station on the Jubilee Line Extension.

Jish: Also known as Josh.
Jishlish: Jishlish is the language and myriad of mistakes spoken and typed by Jish.
JLE: Jubilee Line Extension
The section of the Jubilee line between Green Park and Stratford, opened in 1999.

K

KVB: Contrôle de Vitesse par Balises
Translated from French to English as Speed Control by Beacons. A speed control system used on the French national rail network, Channel Tunnel and High Speed 1.
KYT: Know Your Train [1]

L

LM: London Midland
LNER: London North Eastern Railway
LNR: London Northwestern Railway
LO: London Overground
LOM: Limit of Movement
LOROL: London Overground Rail Operations Ltd.
LOS: Limit of Shunt
LPTB: London Passenger Transport Board
LRT: London Regional Transport
LRV: Light Rail Vehicle
LSL: Locomotive Services Limited
LT: London Transport
LTE: London Transport Executive
LTM: London Transport Museum
LTP: Long Term Plan
LUL: London Underground Ltd.

M

MDR: Metropolitan District Railway
MENTOR: Mobile Electric Network Testing Observation and Recording
MML: Midland Main Line
MOM: Mobile Operations Manager
MR: Metropolitan Railway
MTR: Mass Transit Railway (Hong Kong Subway)

N

NCT: Non-Communicating Train
NIRM: Network Incident Response Manager
NLC: National Location Codes
NLE: Northern Line Extension
NLL: North London Line
NMT: New Measurement Train
NR: Network Rail
NR: Northern Rail
NRM: National Railway Museum
NRN: National Radio Network
NSE: Network South East
NTCO: Not To Call Order
NUCKLE: NUneaton, Coventry, Kenilworth and LEamington Spa
A package of improvement works to the rail corridor between Nuneaton, Coventry, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa, including new stations, signalling, track and other associated improvements.

O

OA: Open Access
OCS: Overhead Contact System
OHLE: Overhead Line Equipment
OLE: Overhead Line Equipment
ONA: Operator Not Available
OOL: On Our Lines (this project)
OPO: One Person Operation
The term used by London Underground to describe the running of trains where the only member of operation staff required is a T/Op. Analogous to Driver Only Operation (DOO) on National Rail
OR: Operational Restriction
A limitation placed on the CBTC system
ORR: Office of Rail and Road

P

PDL: Portsmouth Direct Line
PEA: Passenger Emergency Alarm
PED: Platform Edge Doors
PEP: Prototype Electro Pneumatic Train. Often used to refer to the classes based on the prototypes; classes 313, 314, 315, 507 & 508.
PIOT: Passenger Ill on Train
PIS: Passenger Information System
PLPR (1-4): Plain Line Pattern Recognition
PM: Protected Manual
A mode of operation used on London Underground’s Jubilee and Northern lines and parts of the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines where Automatic Train Operation is provided. In this mode the Train Operator drives the train manually at up to normal line speed using signalling information provided on an in-cab display. See also CM
PoSA: Proceed-on-Sight Authority
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
PPI: Points Position Indicator
PRI: Preliminary Route Indicator
PRM: Persons with Reduced Mobility
PSA: Passenger Service Agent
PSB: Power Signal Box
PSD: Platform Screen Doors
Full height doors along the edge of the platform, synchronised to the train doors, that improve safety and can help manage tunnel ventilation
PSR: Permanent Speed Restriction
PTI: Platform Train Interface
PTS: Personal Track Safety
PU: Pick Up
A term used to refer to a member of train crew's next train working

Q

Q Code train: A train that runs as required

R

RA: Right Away (Indication)
RAIB Rail Accident Investigation Branch
RAT: Rail Adhesion Train
A number of trains which operate on some London Underground lines during the autumn, spraying sandite onto rails to improve rail head conditions. See also RHTT
RCC: Rear Cab Clear (plunger)
RDG: Rail Delivery Group
REC: Railway Emergency Call
RGI: Rail Gap Indicator
RHTT: Rail Head Treatment Train
A train which operates across Network Rail lines in the autumn, spraying water and sandite onto rails to remove crushed leaf debris, and to improve rail head conditions. See also RAT
RM: Restricted Manual
A mode of operation used in certain failure situations on London Underground lines using Automatic Train Operation (ATO), where the Train Operator drives the train manually under authority from the signaller at a reduced speed.
ROC (Network Rail): Rail Operating Centre
ROC (SimSig:Sessions): Railway Operations Centre
ROG: Rail Operations Group
ROGS: The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
RR: Relay Room
RR: Run(s) as Required
RSF: Right Side Failure
RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board
RSI: Route Secure Indicator
A form of route proving to permit movement during degraded modes of operation on London Underground
RTT: Real Time Trains
RTDI: Ready To Depart Indicator
A white beacon located on the platforms of London Underground Jubilee and Northern lines that is used to aid in train dispatch.

White bodyside indicator lights (BILs) on S stock trains on the London Underground]]'s Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines which are used to aid in train dispatch.
RVAR: Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations

S

SATS: Station Assistant (Train Services)
SCAT: Speed Control After Tripping
SCC: Service Control Centre
SCD: Short Circuiting Device
SCL1: Service Controller Level 1
SCL2: Service Controller Level 2
ScR: ScotRail
SD: Set Down
SDC: Service Delivery Centre
SDO: Selective Door Opening
A system where on-train staff select a number of doors, or carriages, to open instead of opening all doors in locations where there is a short platform. See also ASDO and UDS
SE: Southeastern
SI: Section Isolator
A break in the overhead wires, where two sections of wire are isolated from each other allowing current to either section to be isolated for maintenance. Also called a Section Insulator.
SLL: South London Line
SMA (0.5-14): Signal Migration Area
Compartmentalised sections of London Underground's Four Lines Modernisation programme. See also 4LM and SSR
SMD: Stratford Market Depot
SMS: Safety Management System
SN: Southern Rail
SoT: Start of Traffic
SotD: Signal of the Day
SPAD: Signal Passed At Danger
SPAR: Signal Passed At Red
SPAS: Signal Passed At Stop
SPT: Signal Post Telephone
SR: ScotRail
SRA: Strategic Rail Authority
SRAWS: Signal Repeating Automatic Warning System
SSI: Solid State Interlocking
SSM: Shift Signaller Manager
SSO: Special Stop Order
An order issued to on-train staff to stop at a station where the train is not otherwise booked to stop at. See also NTCO
SSR: Sub-Surface Railway
The Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines of London Underground
STANME: Station Number Names
STANOX: Station Numbers
Step Back: A procedure used on some London Underground lines at terminus stations where after a train arrives at the terminus a new Train Operator boards the rear of the train for departure, the original Train Operator then "steps back" onto the next train. This procedure is used to allow trains to terminate more frequently while allowing Train Operators enough time to change ends.
STI: Single track infringement
STN: Special Train Notice
Stock and Crew:
A type of reform common on London Underground where two drivers swap trains, taking the train number, destination and passengers with them. It is often used to ensure that trains requiring maintenance attention get back to the correct depots at the end of the day.
STP: Short Term Plan
SWML: South West Main Line
SWR: South Western Railway
SWT: South West Trains

T

TAC: Track Access Controller
TAS: Traction Auxilliary Set
TAT: Traction Auxilliary Trip
TBC: Traction Brake Controller
TBTC: Transmission Based Train Control
Name given to the SelTrac installation used on London Underground’s Jubilee and Northern lines. See also CBTC and DTG-R
TC: Track Circuit
Part of the signalling system, where a simple electronic device is used to help detect the presence of a train. See also TCF and TSF.
TCB: Track Circuit Block
TCD: Traffic Controllers Diagrams
TCF: Track Circuit Failure
The failure of a track circuit used in signalling, giving the signaller an indication that a track circuit is occupied when there is no train present. See also TSF
TCP: Trip Cock Protection
TD (London Underground): Train Description
TD (Network Rail): Train Describer
TfGM: Transport for Greater Manchester
TfL: Transport for London
TfW: Transport for Wales
TIPLOC: Timing Point Location
TL: Thameslink
TMS: Train Management System
Onboard computer on trains which monitors the status of various systems and may manage the onboard information system.
TMS: Tram Management System
1. Onboard computer on trams which monitors the status of various systems and may manage the onboard information system.
2. Signalling system used on the Manchester Metrolink.
TMS: Tramway Museum Society
TO: Technical Officer
TOC: Train Operating Company
TOD: Train Operator's Display
In cab display on 1995 & 1996 tube stock trains used to display train speed and signalling information to the Train Operator
T/Op: Train Operator
TOPS: Total Operations Processing System
TPE: TransPennine Express
TPH: Trains Per Hour
TPI: Trailing Points Indicator
TPS: Train Planning System
TPWS: Train Protection and Warning System
Tracks down: Slang for Track Circuit Failure
TRC: Track Recording Car
TRT: Track Recording Train
TRTS: Train Ready To Start
TRU: Track Recording Unit
TRV: Track Recording Vehicle
TS: Tube Stock
TSC: Transport Strategy Centre
TSF: Track Section Failure
The failure of a track circuit, or axle counter, used in signalling to give the signaller an indication of where a train is located. See also TCF
TSI: Technical Specifications for Interoperability
TSR: Temporary Speed Restriction
TSW: Train Sim World
TTN: Timetable Notice
TYT: Track Your Train [2]

U

UDS: Unit Deselect
A form of Selective Door Operation (SDO) where the doors are disabled on a per-unit basis. See also ASDO and SDO
UERL: Underground Electric Railway Company of London
UTC: Urban Traffic Control
A system that interfaces with tramway signalling to ensure balanced traffic flow and tram priority
UTO: Unattended Train Operation
A form of train operation where trains operate automatically without any members of staff onboard
UTU: Ultrasonic Test Unit
UWC: User Worked Crossing

V

VAR: Varied Timetable
VCC: Vehicle Control Centre
VIS: Vehicle Identification System
Signalling system used on tramways, using loops resting on sleepers or underneath roads and receivers below trams to enable the signalling system to operate. Similar to VRS
VOBC: Vehicle On Board Computer
VRS: Vehicle Recognition System
VSTP: Very Short Term Plan
VT: Virgin Trains
VTEC: Virgin Trains East Coast

W

WAML: West Anglia Main Line
WCML: West Coast Main Line
WCRC: West Coast Railway Company
WDM: Wrong Direction Move
WLL: West London Line
WMR: West Midlands Railway
WMT: West Midland Trains
Wide to Gauge: A variation of trap points set neither in the normal nor reverse position for overrun mitigation
WSF: Wrong Side Failure
WSL: Wrong Signal Lowered
WSLA: Wrong Signal Lowered and Accepted
WTT: Working Timetable

X

XC: Cross Country
XR: Crossrail

Y

Yellow Peril: Colloquial name for a staff circular briefing which details significant changes to signalling arrangements, such as the commissioning of a new signal cabin or modern automatic train control system

Z