Rail Vehicle Types

Rail vehicles are all kinds of vehicles that are designed to move on train tracks . While there are many differences among such vehicle kinds, most of them have the same coupling and braking systems in common. In Derail Valley, types of rail vehicles can be categorized as:

Car

Unpowered rail vehicles designed to carry freight or passengers. Here's how to obtain them and what types exist .

Locomotive

Motorized rail vehicles designed to tow cars. Here's how to obtain them and what types exist .

Railcar

Motorized cars which can self-propel and don't require a locomotive. Here's how to obtain them and what types exist .

Multiple-Unit (integral)

Railcars or locomotives that are permanently coupled together , with or without cars in-between. These configurations may have rigid connections and are typically inseparable.

Multiple-Unit (optional)

Railcars or locomotives temporarily coupled together, manually connected by an MU cable , or wireless MU controllers .

Train

Set of coupled rail vehicles.

Control Car

Cab-featured cars at the end of trains, MU-connected to a locomotive elsewhere in the train.

Work Train

Special-purpose rail vehicles , such as those for track maintenance, crew transport, etc.

Related terms

• Cab - Vehicle’s interior space designed to house the driving controls and crew. Some vehicles may have dual cabs, one on each end.

• Body - Vehicle’s exterior shell, designed to enclose the interior space and technical components.

• Bogie - Pivoting structure that houses suspension and wheel axles. The body of rail vehicles, mostly cars, is typically situated on two bogies, per unit. Depending on the type of vehicle, bogies may be powered or not, housing two or more axles, and they may come in various shapes and numbers.

• Drivetrain - System of transmissions, wheels and other components that propel a vehicle, together part of a powertrain .

• Unit - Singular vehicle in a multiple-unit train.

• Tender - Unpowered unit behind a steam locomotive used to carry fuel and water.

• Draisine - Light work train used for crew transport. Example: H1-020 Handcar .

• Slug - Cab-less unit used to provide additional traction to the main unit with electric transmission . Example: DE6-860S Slug .

• Booster - Motorized cab-less unit used to provide additional power to the main unit.