Anybody heard of a railroad lingo for the first time a railway vehicle moves on its own power? Like "first light" for telescopes?

Greg

.

Very appropriate :-), but not really what we want for our planning document.

Greg

"Roll out" is what we have used.

Wesley

I think "roll out" comes from aviation, and describes a prototype that's towed outdoors for the first time. That doesn't sound right for something that's supposed to move by itself (if it's a locomotive you're talking about). So far as I know, the answer to the original question is No.

But it calls to mind a videotape I saw that was shot by the people involved in building and importing the Chinese 2-8-2's a few years ago, of new steam locomotives being fired for the first time at the Chinese locomotive works. Definitely something no American born since 1940 sees very often. This tape was narrated with great enthusiasm by one of the other participants, who said something like, "Look! That's a virgin firebox! It's cherry!" The narrator took an almost salacious interest in watching the engine get hot for the first time, but I think 'defloration" is probably not the phrase you're looking for.

Yup, since this is a gasoline powered locomotive, and the engine itself has actually been running for a few years.

We're trying to get the electricity to flow from the back of the engine down to the wheels.

Greg

Brand new locomotives are tested on the rail at the factory, often even before paint is applied and all accesories are installed. The Baldwin Locomotive Works History shows streamlined locomotives under steam sans streamlining, for example. So, it's not a special occasion.

I do recall when working for the PRR, that the initial run of a new expedited freight train was referred to as "the first sailing". Much correspondence was originated in the traffic department about getting loads for the new service.

Among diesel locomotive builders and rebuilders the almost universally accepted terms applied to testing and placing a newly completed locomotive into service are "start-up", "track test" and "road test".

The "start-up" is exactly what it says, starting the engine, allowing it to warm up while performing periodic checks of bearing temperature, and system temperatures and pressures. This is generally followed either by a self-load test or operation on a load box to take standardized horsepower readings. "Start-up" is the terminology normally used on the paperwork. The preparations for start-up are called "pre-servicing" or "preservice".

The "track test" or track testing is the initial checkout under its own power and is done on a test track (appropriate, yes?) if you have one. Some rebuilders who do not have a test track on their property make arrangements with the local railroad to bring in a crew and operate the newly completed locomotive with another unit that is used as a load by operating it in dynamic braking. "Track test" is the terminology normally used on the paper work.

The "road test" is the documented qualification run of a locomotive with a train, normally done for locomotives in passenger service, following their delivery to the owner. This frequently includes operation with instrumentation to record acceleration and braking measured on a predetermined route. Some commuter rail operators actually have a designated section of their system fitted with markers for running these tests. The designation for a train being operated for such testing is a "test train", this is exactly how they are addressed while talking with the dispatcher and readily identifies the task the equipment is conducting. "Road Test" is the terminology used on the paperwork.

One additional test that is often required in passenger operation is the functional "cab signal test", which consists of taking the locomotive and a designated size train out into cab signal territory with a road foreman aboard, and deliberately violating all the aspects and overspeed settings enforced by the system, both by entering the block too "hot" and by climbing over the penalty setting from below. This provides a final and fully functional verification that the protective devices are operating correctly before the equipment is allowed into regular service. "Cab Signal Test" is the paperwork terminology, used to readily identify this task as being different from a "Road Test". However the train is usually addressed by the dispatcher simply as the "test train" as is done on the road test.

MX (Obviously not my real name)

A magazine article several years back had some illustrations by Otto Kuhler of a couple of steam locomotives at a builder in different stages of construction. One was of the initial fire-up that was titled "First Breath" the other was movement under its own power and was titled "First Step"....Steam yes, but still seems appropriate....Dave

Since we've always rebuilt our locos, rather than say building one from scratch, we've never had a true "first run", so never thought of that term.

Typically once restoration is completed and testing has been done, we have called first in service trip the "inaugural run". Not a real poetic term, but it works.

Gee, Bob...

So you don't like my dreamy, piscean phrasings? That's it...next time you guys up at the MRSR shops finish one up, I'll come up and wax poetic as it rolls out...."Here we witness the first steps in the new life of (Insert Engine # here) the most recent recipiant of the loving care and....." Maybe, I'll accompany myself on the guitar....(SNIIKKER)
Cheers, Dave