What does “deadheading” mean in locomotive operations?

In locomotive operations, "deadheading" refers specifically to traveling without a revenue load. This term is commonly used to describe a situation where crew members, such as engineers or conductors, are on a train to reposition it for operational purposes, but the train is not carrying any passengers or freight that generates income.

This practice is often necessary for logistical reasons, such as bringing a train back to a terminal after completing a service run or moving a locomotive to a different location for maintenance or operational deployment. In this context, the focus is placed on the movement of the train and crew, rather than the operation of a profitable service, which aligns perfectly with the definition of "deadheading."