page_title: Glossary of North American railway terms
section_title: W
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of North American railway terms / W
caption_attribution_description: English: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's combined Super Chief / El Capitan pulls into Track 10 at Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) on September 24, 1966.
context_page_description: This page contains a list of terms, jargon, and slang used to varying degrees by railfans and railroad employees in the United States and Canada. Although not exhaustive, many of the entries in this list appear from time to time in specialist, rail-related publications. Inclusion of a term in this list does not necessarily imply its universal adoption by all railfans and railroad employees, and there may be significant regional variation in usage.
context_section_description: Warbonnet
  Santa Fe's red and silver paint scheme. The scheme first appeared in 1937 on the railroad's E1 passenger locomotives for the Super Chief train. It is widely considered the most famous and the most recognizable of railroad color schemes. The Santa Fe phased out its use from the early 1970s on, then revived it in 1989. It has become less common since the BNSF Railway merger in 1995.
  Washboards
  M.U. cars, subway cars, and other equipment made with corrugated side panels that resembled washboards
  Water column (US)
  A device used for delivering a large volume of water into the tank or tender of a steam locomotive
  Waybill
  A document giving details and instructions relating to a shipment of goods. A waybill is issued by the railroad after receipt of the Bill Of Lading.
  Wet Noodle
  Canadian National's stylized CN logo, in use since 1961
  Whiteface
  The first version of Norfolk Southern's "Horsehead" paint scheme. High visibility paint scheme used on various Burlington Northern locomotives, primarily SD60Ms, SD40-2s, GP50s, GP39 rebuilds, and GP28 rebuilds.
  Wickerliners
  A nickname for the DL&W electric multiple unit cars because of their wicker lined seats
  Wings/Flags/Flares (W/F/F)
  Characteristics used to designate Union Pacific's paint scheme and engine type. Wings = "Wing" Decal on the engine nose, Flags = "American Flag" Decal on engine body, Flares = "Flared Radiators" of certain SD70Ms on the long hood. Some UP engines have one or more of these characteristics.
  Wye (US)
  Three railroad tracks in a triangular form with switches at all three corners, can be used to turn a train around
caption: The combined Super Chief/El Capitan passenger train at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal in 1966 showing the red and silver warbonnet livery
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