I was reading an old book on (prototype) railroad shop design the other day, and it made mention of an enginehouse with “ample provision for running repairs” but did not have any meaningful description other than “…effecting light running repairs”. Looking through similar books turned up the terms “general repair” and “medium repair.” I am aware that major rebuilding or refurbishing would constitute “heavy repairs” and would take place in a large, well equipped backshop but where would you draw the line for the others; light, medium and general?
Light repairs are simple fast and efficient repairs like brake shoe replacements, topping off oils and cooling systems, light bulb changes and so forth. Medium repairs take a little more time and man power. For example wheel replacement, minor accident damage, traction motor failure, engine repairs and so on. On a major repair the locomotive is almost rebuilt, engine and generator replacement, fire or accident damage repair and so on.
In the steam days it was basically the same. Light repairs were done by hostlers that would rebuild the fire, top off the tender with coal, oil and water, oil and grease the running gear, adjust wedges and brakes and so on to be ready for the next run. Medium repairs were the mandated boiler wash, side rod crack check, wheel or tire replacement, flue and fire box repair and so on. Beside the flue and fire box repair most of the maintenance was done while the boiler was still hot. Major repairs sometimes called class repair was done with a cold boiler and is done in a major engine terminal with gangs of men and heavy lifting equipment.
Pete