Stressed on the first syllable, the consist is both the train itself and the document describing it: each car's reporting marks, position, load or empty status, weight and length, plus the locomotives and any hazardous materials. The engineer uses the consist to plan train handling, and emergency responders use it to learn what is in a derailed car. A car standing out of position against the consist has to be corrected before the train leaves.
Consist shows 112 cars, 14,800 tons and a hazmat block at cars 40 through 46, so keep that in mind in the sags.
Say CON-sist; putting the stress on the second syllable, like the everyday verb, marks you as a newcomer.
Also heard as
- train consist
- train list
Related terms
Manifest
A freight train carrying a mix of car types and commodities for many different customers.
Unit train
A train carrying a single commodity in identical cars from one origin to one destination.
Power
The locomotives assigned to a train, or locomotives in general.
DPU
Distributed power unit: a locomotive placed mid-train or on the rear and controlled by radio from the lead unit.