running powers
A freight train is operating under running powers on another company's tracks.
Definition
- Noun (plural only):
- Railway right of access: "running powers" refer to the legal right granted to one railway company to use the tracks, stations, or other infrastructure of another railway company for its own trains. This is a specific term in transportation law and operations, not a general term for physical ability to run.
Usage Examples
- (Legal permission to use another company's railway.)
- (The rights are formalized in agreements.)
Advanced Usage
"Exercise running powers": to actually use the granted right.
- The freight operator exercised its running powers daily to deliver goods across the region. (The company used its legal permission to run trains.)
"Running powers agreement": a formal contract specifying the terms of access.
- The running powers agreement included fees for track maintenance and scheduling. (The contract detailed conditions.)
Variants and Related Words
Running power (singular, rare): sometimes used interchangeably, but the plural "running powers" is standard in legal and railway contexts.
- The running power was limited to passenger services only. (The singular form is less common.)
Trackage rights (synonymous): a broader term for permission to use another company's tracks.
- The company acquired trackage rights to expand its network. (Similar legal concept.)
Synonyms
- Trackage rights: the right to use another railway's tracks.
- Access rights: general permission to use infrastructure.
- Running rights: an alternative term for running powers.
Phrasal Verbs
Grant running powers: to officially give the right.
- The government granted running powers to the new operator. (The authority was formally provided.)
Negotiate running powers: to discuss and agree on terms.
- The two companies negotiated running powers for the high-speed line. (They bargained over access conditions.)
Related Idioms
Have running powers over: to possess the legal right to use another's railway.
- The company has running powers over the northern route. (It is authorized to run trains there.)
Under running powers: operating with such permission.
- The train was running under running powers granted last year. (Operating legally with the right.)