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National Transportation Dataset - Data Dictionary - Trans_RailFeature

By NGP Standards and Specifications

This data dictionary defines and describes one simple feature class in the National Transportation Dataset. "Trans_RailFeature" represents a linear section of fixed rail(s) or track(s) on which a train or street car runs.

General Feature Class Attributes

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Trans_RailFeature

Field name

 

 

General FCode Domain Attributes

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Domain Name

 

 

General Non-FCode Domain Attributes

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Domain Name

 

 

General Non-spatial Metadata Tables

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BPFeatureToMetadata

Table

 

Meta_DatasetDetail

Table

 

Meta_ProcessDetail

Table

 

 

General Feature Class Attributes

Trans_RailFeature

Field Name

fcode

  • Description: Feature code
  • Definition: Numeric value that encodes a set of characteristics for a type of feature. This five-digit code has two parts: the first three digits encode the feature type (FType); the last two digits encode values for a unique set of characteristics associated with the feature type. The set of characteristics may be single valued or multi-valued.
  • Alias: FCode
  • Type: Long Integer
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 4
  • Domain: RailFeature FCode
  • Default Value: 20200
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. A text string of five numbers as described with the published Feature Code (FCode) Domain tables.
  • Example: 20202

 

globalid

  • Description: Global identification
  • Definition: A unique, system-managed identifier (a 128-bit UUID/GUID) automatically assigned to each feature or table row in ArcGIS Pro.
  • Alias: GLOBALID
  • Type: Global ID
  • Usage: Index
  • Nullable: False
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 38
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: False
  • Required: True
  • Format: A 38-character, upper case alphanumeric text string with hyphens contained within curly brackets.
  • Example: {4D492D36-1C98-4F3D93CB-DF4649164B36}

 

lengthkm

  • Description: Length in kilometers
  • Definition: The length of the linear feature in kilometers.
  • Alias: LengthKm
  • Type: Double
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 8
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. A positive number that includes up to six decimal places. 
  • Example: 7.240257

 

loaddate

  • Description: Load date
  • Definition: Timestamp indicating when the feature or event was last loaded to the database, may indicate an approximate time the feature or event was last edited or reviewed.
  • Alias: LoadDate
  • Type: Date
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 8
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Month, day, year and time displayed as MM/DD/YYY HH:MM:SS with an AM or PM time qualifier. 
  • Example: 9/17/2025 12:50:02 PM

 

name

  • Description: Name
  • Definition: The official name of the feature.
  • Alias: Name
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 120
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Uppercase case text string of the official feature name.
  • Example: ARTESIA YARD

 

objectid

  • Description: Object identification
  • Definition: Internal feature or event number.
  • Alias: OBJECTID
  • Type: Object ID
  • Usage: Index
  • Nullable: False
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 4
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: False
  • Required: True
  • Format: Unique, numeric code with up to seven characters.
  • Example: 1150965

 

permanent_identifier

  • Description: Permanent identifier
  • Definition: A 36-character globally unique ID (GUID) value that uniquely identifies the occurrence of each feature or event in The National Map.
  • Alias: Permanent_Identifier
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Index
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 40
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Generally a 38-character, lower case, alphanumeric text string with hyphens. Some values may include curly brackets increasing number of characters to 40.
  • Example: 8ea50b8b-9f0d-4b62-8724-1d0d0ae1ad04

 

railclassification

  • Description: Rail classification
  • Definition: A classification describing the railroad company, based on the amount of revenue the company earns within a year.
  • Alias: RailClassification
  • Type: Long Integer
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 4
  • Domain: RailClassificationFRA Domain
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Single digit, coded numeric value as defined in RailClassificationFRA Domain. 
  • Example: <Null>

 

railowner

  • Description: Rail owner
  • Definition: The person(s) or organization(s) that possess the rail line.
  • Alias: RailOwner
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 75
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Title case name of the railroad owner.
  • Example: Alaska Railroad Corporation

 

railownercode

  • Description: Rail owner code
  • Definition: The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) - a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies.
  • Alias: RailOwnerCode
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 4
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Uppercase text code up to four characters. 
  • Example: RVPR

 

railsubdivision

  • Description: Rail subdivision
  • Definition: The geographic name of a second-order division of the rail system. A subdivision typically consists of a single main line and branches. Subdivision names are assigned by the railroad company and are used by railroads as the underlying layer for their operating practices.
  • Alias: RailSubdivision
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 75
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Uppercase text string up to 75 characters. 
  • Example: TUSCALOOSA

 

railusage

  • Description: Rail usage
  • Definition: The use(s) to which a railway is put as part of a transportation system.
  • Alias: RailUsage
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 255
  • Domain: RailUsageFRA Domain
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Single character, coded value as defined in RailUsageFRA Domain. 
  • Example: M

 

shape

  • Description: Shape
  • Definition: Feature geometry.
  • Alias: Shape
  • Type: Geometry
  • Usage: Index
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 0
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: True
  • Format: May be a null value. Generally a text string describing the geometry of the feature. 
  • Example: Polyline M

 

shape_Length

  • Description: Shape length
  • Definition: Length of the feature, which may differ from the field measured length due to differences in calculation. Units are map units.
  • Alias: SHAPE_Length
  • Type: Double
  • Usage: Length
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 8
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: False
  • Required: True
  • Format: May be a null value. A positive number that includes up to six decimal places. 
  • Example: 1.306534

 

source_datadesc

  • Description: Data description source
  • Definition: Brief narrative of the source dataset.
  • Alias: Source_DataDesc
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 100
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Text string up to 100 characters describing the data description source including a month and year qualifier. 
  • Example: FRA Rail Lines 07/2025

 

source_datasetid

  • Description: Dataset identification source
  • Definition: Unique permanent ID value which uniquely identifies a source dataset used in The National Map.
  • Alias: Source_DatasetID
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 40
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Generally a 40-character, uppercase, alphanumeric text string with hyphens within curly brackets. 
  • Example: {14EEFC21-039C-4AB1-8866-0FA5FC6A7AEB}

 

source_featureid

  • Description: Feature identification source
  • Definition: Identifier of the feature or event used in the source dataset.
  • Alias: Source_FeatureID
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 40
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Numeric code up to six characters.
  • Example: 537184

 

source_originator

  • Description: Originator source
  • Definition: Name of the organization or individual that developed the source dataset.
  • Alias: Source_Originator
  • Type: String
  • Usage: Not applicable
  • Nullable: True
  • Precision: 0
  • Scale: 0
  • Length: 130
  • Domain: Not applicable
  • Default Value: Not applicable
  • Editable: True
  • Required: False
  • Format: May be a null value. Text string up to 130 characters describing the data description source. Value may be multiple sources separated by a semicolon. 
  • Example: Federal Railroad Administration; Alaska Railroad Corporation

 

 

General FCode Domain Attributes

Domain Name

Domain Coded Value

RailFeature FCode

  • Description: Rail feature feature code
  • Definition: Domain feature codes for classification of railway transport systems.  
  • Code: 20200
    • Description: Rail
    • Definition: A primary railway that provides service between destinations. 
  • Code: 20201
    • Description: Rail: Siding / Spur
    • Definition: A stretch of railway track connected to a main railway and used for temporary storage, passing, loading, and/or unloading. The siding / spur can be part of a rail yard. 
  • Code: 20202
    • Description: Subway
    • Definition: A rail line running underground, especially beneath the streets and buildings of a city. 
  • Code: 20203
    • Description: Light Rail
    • Definition: Mass transit rail lines that are typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic and whose tracks are not typically part of a road right-of-way. 
  • Code: 20204
    • Description: Street Car
    • Definition: A rail line used primarily for transporting passengers and typically operating on city streets. It is used for street cars and trolleys. 
  • Code: 20205
    • Description: Narrow Gauge
    • Definition: A railway gauge where the distance in between the two rail lines is narrower than the standard distance of 4 feet 8.5 inches (approximately 1.435 meters). 
  • Code: 20206
    • Description: Railroad Tunnel
    • Definition: A railway passageway through which the rail track runs.  A tunnel may be an underground passage or an excavated passage through a physical obstruction found in the built or natural environment. 

 

 

General Non-FCode Domain Attributes

Domain Name

DomainCodedValue

RailClassificationFRA Domain

  • Description: Federal Railroad Administration classification domain
  • Definition: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) coded domain classification based upon operating revenue thresholds set by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). 
  • Code: 0
    • Description: Unknown
    • Definition: Classification unknown. Revenue information for the railroad company is either not known or is not available. 
  • Code: 1
    • Description: Class 1
    • Definition: Class 1 are typically larger railroads. 
  • Code: 2
    • Description: Class 2
    • Definition: Class 2 are typically mid-size railroads. 
  • Code: 3
    • Description: Class 3
    • Definition: Class 3 are typically smaller railroads.

 

RailUsageFRA Domain

  • Description: Federal Railroad Administration rail usage domain
  • Definition: Coded domain values for usage classification of railway transport systems. 
  • Code: A
    • Description: Abandoned
    • Definition: Railroad track is not used to move freight AND the railroad has filed for the track to be abandoned with the Surface Transportation Board (STB). 
  • Code: F
    • Description: Ferry
    • Definition: Route used to transport railroad traffic between two points separated by water. 
  • Code: M
    • Description: Main
    • Definition: Mainline railroad track used to move freight that is part of a principle through route. 
  • Code: O
    • Description: Non-Mainline Active
    • Definition: Railroad track used to move goods or people that is not part of a mainline route. 
  •  Code: X
    • Description: Out of Service
    • Definition: Railroad track is not used to move goods or people. 

 

 

General Non-spatial Metadata Tables 

Object Table

Table

BPFeatureToMetadata

  • Description: Batch process feature to metadata
  • Definition: The BPFeatureToMetadata table links the features / objects to one or more processes and their sources. This table gives the model the capability of lineage or the capability of tracking the history of changes for a given feature.

 

Meta_DatasetDetail

  • Description: Metadata dataset details
  • Definition: The Meta_DatasetDetail table holds information specific to the source of the data, i.e.; originator name, data accuracy and currency, data source URL, etc.

 

Meta_ProcessDetail

  • Description: Metadata process details
  • Definition: The Meta_ProcessDetail table with information specific to the processor (contact information) and the process used in loading or updating the dataset features or objects.

 

 

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