dead man’s switch n.— «On the subway and elevated lines it is found in the nearest doorman and a “dead man’s switch.”» —“Precautions of Railroads to Prevent Death at the Throttle” in New York Washington...
kiss and ride n.— «We suggest that people who need to drop off or pick up someone using the railroad station do so inside the train station area on North Station Plaza, or queue in the commuter parking lots around the station designed to...
hump v.— « Some railroad workers don’t appreciate the general public wandering around in their yards. There’s a good reason for this. Quite a few idiots get killed every year when they wander behind or under a train while the cars are...
redball n.— «“Redball” is an old railroad term meaning priority freight.» —“‘Red Ball Express’ Supplied Patton’s Drive Toward Germany” in Washington, D.C. All American Patriots Feb. 2, 2007. (source: Double...
rubber room n.— «Deatherage, a 31-year railroad veteran, and two other Burlington-Northern employees are paid for their time in what they call the “rubber room.” The firm calls it an alternative work location. The three have...
wig-wag n.— «The banjo crossing signal, also called a wig-wag, was (and still might be in some places) a round target with a hole in the center that swung back and forth when activated. Looked somewhat like a banjo being swung back and...