A scheduled train that hauls both revenue freight and paying passengers in the same consist. Historically common on branch lines where traffic volume did not justify running separate passenger and freight services, these trains typically placed the passenger cars at the rear for safety and ride comfort.
Heard on the job
The local out of Pine Bluffs is a mixed train, pulling five boxcars and an old combine coach on the tail end.
Insider tip
Because freight switching causes rough slack action, riding a mixed train was notoriously bumpy for passengers.