A mobile-phoney, as defined by the Irish rail system’s new ad campaign, is someone on a train who pretends to be having a phone conversation in order to prevent fellow passengers from taking the seat next to them. This is part of a complete episode...
hanger appeal n.— «Asos is also not affected by what is known as “hanger appeal,” the need for garments to look good on a rail so that customers will pick them up in the first place.» —“Asos: net gain” by Charlie Porter Telegraph (United...
drop table n.— «It’s a short trip for the wheels but a big step in the railroad company’s ability to perform repairs and maintenance on more than 200 locomotives and rail cars that it owns and leases. The engine house drop table, as it is called...
bootleg v.— «As the railcars were about to turn around to head back to Strasburg, a commuter train en route to Lancaster and Harrisburg whooshed by on adjacent tracks about 100 feet away.…Narcoa members risk expulsion if they “bootleg,” or trespass...
red mushroom n.— «A preliminary investigation also found that the train’s braking system was not defective and that the operator did not press the “red mushroom”—Muni parlance for the bright red button on the operator’s console that activates an...
speeder n.— «The Owen Sound lawyer shelved his legal briefs for a few days to navigate the Canadian Shield in a track motorcar—an odd and colourful contraption used by railroads to inspect lines and transport work crews until the machines were...
