What does "deadhead" mean in railroad terminology?

In railroad terminology, "deadhead" refers to traveling without a load. This term is commonly used to describe situations where a train, locomotive, or railcar is moved from one location to another without any freight or passengers onboard. This can occur for various operational reasons, such as repositioning equipment for maintenance, returning a train to a starting point after completing a route, or replacing crew members.

Understanding the term "deadhead" is crucial for those in the railroad industry, as it impacts scheduling, resource allocation, and overall rail operations. Other options pertain to different aspects of rail transport that do not describe the absence of a load, which is the definitive characteristic of "deadheading."