Relays car number and car information to computers or printers from track-side monitors placed at different points along the track.

A car awaiting or undergoing repairs. A freight car loaded improperly, mechanically defective or has safety violations.

Also called a Business to Business directory, this is a listing of businesses and their commodities.

A bill of lading (also known as BOL or shipping instructions) is a shipping document that is both a receipt for property to be transported and a contract for carrying it. It states the terms, conditions, and liabilities under which property is accepted for transportation.

A wooden, metal or other approved support to keep shipments in place on railcars or within containers and trailers.

Basic unit of measurement of lumber. One board foot equals a one-inch board, 12 inches in width and one foot in length.

Bulkhead doors (usually two per car and also referred to as "load dividers") are sliding doors on the inside of boxcars used to secure loads at either end of the car. Most insulated boxcars have bulkhead doors, and most plain boxcars do not have bulkhead doors.

The amount of transportation and other charges are paid at the point of termination to the terminating carrier.

An article of trade or commerce that can be transported

Person(s) or firm to whom shipment is designated. Also called a receiver.

Person or firm from whom shipment originates. Also called a shipper.

The rail location of a customer's facility.

Hundred pound weight.

A penalty charge assessed by railroads for the detention of cars by shippers or receivers of freight beyond a specified free time. All loads and empties are allowed "free time" before demurrage is assessed. The carrier whose line the facility is on assesses demurrage on empty or loaded equipment.

Station where rail movement terminates.

A change made in the route of a shipment in transit, the destination or receiver of a freight movement triggering a potential change in the price and/or availability of the shipment.

Drayage is the transportation (delivery) from or delivery to a transload point via truck.

Material used to protect or support freight in or on cars, such as bracing, false floors, meat racks, etc.

The process of sending and retrieving information electronically.

A type of EDI message typically sent to a bank to initiate a transfer of funds from one account to another. The EFT message must be initiated by an authorized party and typically contains supporting financial details along with the amounts of money to be paid and the payee.

Railcars that are used to ship various commodities.

Time allowed by carriers for the loading or unloading of freight after which demurrage or detention charges will accrue.

Rail traffic moving over track belonging to two or more railroads.

A specific location when two or more railroads have agreed to pass freight cars from one railroad's handling and responsibility to another's.

A mode of transportation that covers the multi-modal transportation of trailers and/or containers by rail, ship and truck.

One interline price applicable for the entire movement from rail origin to rail destination on two or more railroads. The price applicable from a point located on one railroad to a point on another railroad. It is made by agreement and published in a single tariff under concurrence of participating railroads. The price includes all interchange charges unless otherwise noted. Usually shipping instructions governing interline prices are sent to the origin carrier who forwards the shipping instructions tot he other carriers n the route.

Freight or cargo making up a shipment.

Shipments that occur on rail carriers other than BNSF.

In general, a customer is "closed" if only one railroad has access to it. A customer is "open" if one railroad serves the facility for one or more other railroad(s) also serving that general area. A customer is jointly if each railroad involved serves the facility with its own trains.

Station where a rail movement originates.

The amount of transportation and other charges are paid at the point of origin to the originating rail road.

A pricing document that rail price makers and customers use to reference terms of their shipping agreement.

A facility that has rail service directly into their property.

A service extended by the railroad to the owner of the freight permitting a change to the waybill in the name of the shipper, consignee, destination, route or other instructions to effect delivery of the car providing no back haul is involved.

A patron's notice to the railroad that a car is loaded or unloaded and ready to be moved from his/her industry.

Person or firm to whom shipment is designated. Also called a consignee.

Legal directions on exactly how a shipment will move from origin to destination.

Person or firm from whom shipment originates. Also called a consignor.

Shipping instructions (also known as Bill of Lading or BOL) are documents that serve as both a receipt for property to be transported and a contract for carrying it. It states the terms, conditions, and liabilities under which property is accepted for transportation.

Railroad operating over a short distance which may be a feeder for one or more large railroads.

Placing a car in a designated position or specific location usually for loading or unloading.

A track extending out from a main or other track that usually serves customers.

Instructions that describe where a car can be positioned for loading and unloading.

A 7-digit reference code for every commodity shipped in transportation.

Railroads will charge switch fees (or "access fees") to other railroads it allows into a facility that it serves. These fees generally start at $150 and may be as high as $750 per car. Unabsorbed switch charges will be added to the freight bill.

Moving cars from specific industry locations to a yard for placement on a train or vice versa.

Weight of an empty freight car.

A side track on which cars are placed for the use of the public in loading or unloading freight.

A customer may lease track from a railroad to spot or store their cars. The railroad usually maintains the track at the customer's expense.

A warehouse facility and yard used to transfer goods from one mode of transportation to another, usually from truck to railcar or railcar to truck.

Transload services refers to the transfer of product from one mode of transportation to another such as rail to truck or truck to rail.

Truck unit of measure assumes a full truckload with an average minimum weight of 45,000 lbs.

A document covering a shipment. A waybill shows the origin, destination, route, consignor, consignee, description of shipment and amount charged for the transportation service. It is generally forwarded to the agent at destination.