Proper terminology?

When referring to running MTH engines together or Lionel engines together using their command systems, the proper term is lash up.  I use that term in this forum as well as the DCS and Legacy forums (not in the other forums) when referring to command operation.  In the real world, several other terms are used.  I'm sure some folks from the scale and real trains forums will list them for you.

In the real world, several other terms are used.

IT's CONSIST!

Only amature foamers use Lash-up... like it's a freakin rodeo!

A consist is the entire train, is it not? When two or more power units are hooked together in multiple unit operation, they are MU'ed.

At least that the way I heard it.

Well, sort of correct. The term "Consist" can be used in many ways throughout the railroad industry:

1) The most common use is for the motive power make-up, i.e "Your power consist is three 'big ones' on the head end and a single DPU on the real of your train".

2) Your train consist is 63 loads on the headend, and 23 empties on the rear.

3) Your "light power move" is a consist of 12 units, all MU'ed, but the rear 10 units are isolated, i.e. the power plants are "off the line".

According to Wikipedia (not the most authoritative source):

quote:

Consist (US, pronounced "KONN-sist"), formation (UK): A noun to describe the group of rail vehicles making up a train, or more commonly a group of locomotives connected together for Multiple-Unit (MU) operation.

They list Trains magazine (Kalmbach) as the source.

Here is the whole article

In my humble experience we call locomotives......units.........as in how many units today...or we say..hows the power ?  good power ? or the dreaded BAD POWER ! The consist is the train..loads and mtys...note the clever spelling.....conrail john....still doin it !

What about unit train? I think that term generally refers to a train having all the same type of freight cars, like 35 quad hoppers full of coal or 35 tank cars with oil.

Another term I ran across is 'pair of engines.' The way I have seen it is; a pair of FP-7's were put into service on a passenger run.

Lee Fritz

I have seen lashup used in "Trains" magazine articles, not real recently though.

bet you would not see it in Ogauge Railroading magazine.

From Wikipedia's Glossary of North American railway terms:

Elephant-style: A lashup of multiple locomotives with all units facing forward; resembling the nose-to-tail train of elephants in a circus parade.^[5

The correct term for your use, your railroad, your layout is whatever you want it to be.

We like to sneak it in every once in a great while just to keep Rich on his toes and to measure the impact on his blood pressure.  

Well, none of those guys are "professional railroaders" either!

It is a "Multiple Unit Consist."

With regard to the term "lashup" I no longer give a hoot one way or the other about the word and will not comment here again about it.

Here is some typical terminology in a 1980 Southern Pacific timetable with special instructions:

Locomotive consist

Light engine consist

MU service

Road service

Yard engine

Helper engine

"... unit or units in a locomotive consist ..."

"When block is occupied by a standing train, engine or cars ..."

"When a locomotive is left unattended ... Hand brakes must be set on each locomotive ..."

"For use in road service, MU service, or dead in train, the coupler stops must be closed ..."

Please correct me if I wrong but aren't these hoses called Locomotive MU (Multiple Unit) hoses?

So the logical and correct name for 2 or more locos connected via the hoses would be MU'ed and nothing else.  Why do we go to lengths the make a cheese sandwich FUBAR?

You must realize that after those "2 or more locos connected via the hoses would be MU'ed" results in a CONSIST!!!!!

By the way, you may want to plug in the "MU Jumper Cables" also, plus couple all the couplers together and do a stretch test in order to make absolutely sure that all the knuckles closed and are LATCHED.

Really we can call it whatever we want.....they are just toys/models.....put this one to bed!!!!!William S  said a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.....think that one over.....nite all....CR john

Rich,

With regard to the term "lashup" I no longer give a hoot one way or the other about the word and will not comment here again about it.

I don't think so...  

I believe Marty E demonstrated a while back, when the term "lashup" is appropriate.

Guys,

That was the picture I was looking for thanks! It's hilarious!

Mike Maurice

Before I joined this forum, I've never heard of lash-up or elephant style.  We just use one unit or multi units.  Light power to us refers to just engines and no cars.  Consist is a train, engines + cars.  Wheel report is all the info about said train, length, tonnage, restrictions, hazmat, ect.

So gets confusing to me sometimes when referring to O scale.