- Diagram (1)
- A line drawing, usually representational, of the elevation of a locomotive or goods wagon, or the plan view of a passenger carriage, showing essential dimensions, carrying capacity and other features of importance to the traffic department. Usually bound into a reference book, intended for use of the company’s staff only. Often abbreviated by enthusiasts to D.xxx, referring to the type of vehicle shown on that page number in the Diagram Book.
- Diagram (2)
- A schedule or roster showing the planned workings of a locomotive, passenger carriage or train crew for a particular day of week.
- Diamond Crossing
- Where one track
 crosses another at an acute angle, the crossing is colloquially known as a diamond.
- Die Block
- A component in the Walschaerts valve-gear which is able to slide within the radius link; or a similar sliding device in other forms of valve gear.
- Dining Car
- A carriage provided for serving meals to passengers. Except for two third class cars with pantries, which were 68ft long, LNWR and WCJS dining cars became standardised at 65ft long, like the sleeping cars; many also had a kitchen. The separate kitchen car was a post-grouping development, apart from three built for the American Specials in 1908. All WCJS and most LNWR cars had clerestory roofs. They were shown in the marshalling circular by the meal which would be served — Breakfast Car, Luncheon Car or Dining Car.
- Dining Saloon
- The legend on the waist-band of LNWR and WCJS dining cars was “DINING SALOON”.
- Displacement Lubricator
- A displacement lubricator works by admitting steam into the oil reservoir; the steam condenses and sinks to the bottom of the oil. As the condensate gathers, the oil is forced back down the steam pipe to the valve chest, cylinders, etc. Displacement lubricators work at steam pressure, so taps are fitted so that the oil can be replenished while the loco is in steam. They were often of polished bronze.
- Disposing a Locomotive
- When a locomotive has completed a stint of work, it is returned to the Shed, where it is prepared for the next stint of work. Typically this would be dropping the fire (removing all the remains of the fire from the firebox), filling the water tanks, and minor maintenance work.
- Distant Signal
- A means of notifying the driver of a train that he is approaching a home signal and, if the distant is in the ‘on’ (caution) position, he should be prepared to stop at that home signal.
- Dock Tank 0-4-2T Locomotive Class
- See Bissell Tank
- Dog boxes
- Compartments, often inside a Guard’s van or beneath a seat of an ordinary carriage, in which a dog travelled. There was a small door in the lower panel which gave access and which had louvres for ventilation.
- Dome
- The mechanism to regulate the steam to the cylinders is often housed in a dome, above the profile of the boiler, and well clear of the water in the boiler. The dome is seen behind the chimney and in front of the Safety valves.
- Doubled
- When a single line track is extended to one track in each direction, it is said to have been “Doubled”.
- Down Line
- All lines have a defined “Up” or “Down” direction with regard to a major city. The down line went away from the major city or, on a branch line, away from the junction with the main line. London was usually the major city.
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