Reverse Dictionary: RAILROAD

ADJECTIVES
► BAREFOOT of a railroad car or engine: having no brakes → 1975 US sl. (Bk.)
► JERKWATER pert. to a small local railway → 1905 Amer. dial.

NOUNS
► ABANDONMENT bankruptcy of a railway company → c1880 financiers’ and brokers’ usage
► AGGRAVATION a railway station → 1920s Brit. rhyming sl.
► ALLEY on the railway: the track visible ahead of a train → 1975 US sl.
► AMBULANCE among railroad workers: a caboose → 1977 Amer. dial.
► ANCHOR among railroad workers: a brake, esp. a hand brake → 1942 Amer. dial.
► ANGEL’S SEAT among railroad workers: the cupola of a caboose → 1946 Amer. dial.
► ARKANSAS SPECIAL an unimportant branch railroad → 1950 Amer. dial. jocular usage
► ARKANSAS TRAVELER an unimportant branch railroad → 1969 Amer. dial. jocular usage
► BAD ORDER 1. among railroad workers: a defective locomotive or railroad car → 1945 Amer. dial.
2. among railroad workers: equipment in disrepair; defective material or equipment → 1947 Amer. dial.
► BALL OF TWINE a railway line → 20C Aust. rhyming sl.
► BATTLESHIP the heaviest type of railroad locomotive; a large, heavy passenger car → 1975 US sl. (Bk.)
► BATTLEWAGON an iron railroad coal-car → c1925 US railroad & tramps’ usage
► BEEFSTEAK AND ONIONS the Baltimore and Ohio railroad → 1975 US tramps’ usage (Bk.)
► BIRD CAGE in the railroad: a brakeman’s or switchman’s lantern → 1945 Amer. dial.
► BLIND BAGGAGE a railroad baggage or mail car with no door or a locked door at the front end; the space between such cars where hobos may hide and ride → 1907 US tramps’ sl.
► BLOCKADE a stoppage on a railway by snow or some accident → 1867-9 US
► BLUEBERRY SPECIAL a branch railroad that is not very important or does not give the best of service → 1950 Amer. dial.
► BROWNIE on the railroad: a demerit → 1929 Amer. dial.
► BROWN ONE ► BROWN ‘UN on the railways: a distant signal → 1970 UK sl.
► BUCKBERRY ROAD a ranch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1970 Amer. dial.
► BUG TORCH a railway lantern → 1975 US sl.
► CABBAGE CUTTER on the railway: a freight engine → 1977 US sl.
► CABBY-CAR a hand-propelled railway trolley → Ireland
► CALF’S TAIL the cord attached to a railway whistle → 1946 US sl.
► CARAVANSERA a railway station → 1891 boxing usage (Bk.)
► CATCLAW AND UNDERBRUSH a branch railroad that is not very important → 1967 Amer. dial.
► CHICKENBONE SPECIAL a branch railroad that’s not very important or gives poor service → 1970 Amer. dial.
► CHIPPY on the railroad: a narrow-gauge track, car, or train → 1918 Amer. sl.
► CINDER TRAIL the railroad → 1927 Amer. dial.
► CORK-LEGGED LIMITED a branch railroad that is not very important, or does not give the best service → 1950 Amer. dial., jocular usage
► CRACKER a railroad → 1887 Amer. dial.
► CROSSBUCK an X-shaped railroad crossing sign → 1966 Amer. dial.
► CROSS-TIE TICKET an imaginary ticket entitling one to walk along a railroad track → 1904 Amer. dial.
► DANCING in railway usage: the condition of locomotive wheels slipping on the rail → 1970 UK sl.
► DEADHEAD a railroad car or engine being pulled empty → 1938 Amer. dial.
► DEEPOT a railway station or depot → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► DING-DONG a gas-powered railway coach used on a branch line → 1945 US sl.
► DINKEY ► DINKY a small locomotive; a train pulled by such a locomotive; a small branch railway → 1874 Amer. dial.
► DOG-TAIL RAILROAD a line that starts from a place of no consequence and runs nowhere → 1888 Amer. dial.
► DRONE CAGE a private railway carriage → 1946 US sl.
► DUCKET a rail ticket  → 1871 obs.
► FAIRYLAND a colour light multiple aspect gantry (a railway signal) → 1970 UK sl.
► FERROEQUINOLOGY enthusiasm for railroads → 1991 (Bk.)
► F.O.D. a pejorative term applied to a slow train (Fuckin’ Ol’ Drag) → 1970 US railroad sl. (Bk.)
► GADFLY a small or remote hamlet or railway station → 1906 Amer. dial.
► GANDY GANG on the railway: a crew of track workers → 1977 US sl.
► GARDEN a railway yard → 1946 US sl.
► G.O.P. a nickname for a branch railway (Get Out and Push) → 1905 Amer. dial.
► GRAB among railroaders: a commissary car → 1946 Amer. dial.
► GRAPEVINE, THE a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1967 Amer. dial.
► GREEN EYE on the railway: a clear signal → 1946 US sl.
► GUBLUNGSIT the name of any railway station as called out by a conductor → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GULLY JUMPER a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1967 Amer. dial.
► GUNBOAT a steel freight car → 1940 Amer. dial.
► HIGH IRON the railroad, esp. as regards the main rather than branch lines → 1930s US tramps’ sl.
► IRISH LOCAL a railway hand-car, propelled by pushing a handle backwards and forwards → 1900s sl.
► IRON, THE railway tracks → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► IRON HARNESS railway tracks → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► IRONS railroad rails → 1914 US tramps’ sl.
► IVORY a pass-ticket on a railway, or subscriber’s admission to a theatre, public gardens, etc. → 1858 sl.
► JEMMY JOHN the handcar on a railroad track → 1969 Amer. dial.
► JERK a small branch railway → 1907 Amer. dial.
► JERK LINE a small branch railway → 1950 Amer. dial.
► JERK ROAD a small branch railway → 1927 Amer. dial.
► JERKWATER a branch line; a local train → 1878 Amer. dial.
► JOHN O’BRIEN a hand-car → 1920s US sl.
► KATY the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad → L19 US sl.
► KATYDID a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1970 Amer. dial.
► KREMLIN the headquarters of British Railways → 1970 UK sl.
► LADDER the main track in a railway yard → 1946 US sl.
► LEAKY ROAD a small branch railroad, or one that gives poor service → 1967 Amer. dial.
► LEAKY ROOF a small branch railroad → 1913 Amer. dial.
► LEMONADE TURN, THE the shift from 2 to 10 pm → c1920 Brit. railwaymen’s sl.
► MAIN a main railroad line → 1932-34 Amer. railroad usage
► MAIN IRON a principal railroad line → 1931 Amer. dial.
► MANIVILINS ► MANIVLINS ► MENAVELINGS ► MENAVELINS odd money remaining after the daily accounts are made up at railway offices → c1863 Brit. railway clerks’ usage
► MAIN STEEL a principal railroad line → 1977 Amer. dial.
► MONKEY MONEY on the railways: a pass to ride for free → 1977 US sl.
► MONKEY SUIT any uniform worn by a railway employee on a passenger train → 1901 US
► MOUNTAIN PAY overtime on the railroad → 1943 Amer. dial.
► MUD-CART a dilapidated railway wagon, stagecoach, etc. → 1840 US obs.
► OIL BURNER on the railroad: a smoking car → 1976 Amer. sl.
► OIL CAN a railway tank wagon → 1946 US sl.
► OLD HOUSE on the railway: a warehouse of salvaged parts → 1977 US sl.
► PADDLE on the railways: a semaphore signal → 1977 US sl.
► PALACE CAR a railway carriage fitted up in luxurious style → 1884
► PAPER a railroad ticket → 1930s US tramps’ sl.
► PASTEBOARD a railway ticket → M19 sl.
► PEANUT LINE a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1967 Amer. dial.
► PEANUT ROASTER among railroaders and loggers: a small steam engine → 1945 Amer. sl.
► PEANUT SPECIAL a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1950 Amer. dial.
► PEG a railway semaphore signal → 1911 sl.
► PLUG a small, local passenger train; a small branch railroad  → 1931 Amer. dial.
► PUNKIN VINE a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service→ 1965 Amer. dial.
► RABBIT on the railways: a side track on a downhill incline used to divert runaway trains and prevent crashes → 1946 US sl.
► RAILERY travelling by rail → 1852
► RAILROADIANA matters pertaining to railroads → 1838
► RAILS railway stocks and shares → 1887 Stock Exchange coll.
► RAILS, THE railway stations → c1919 sl.
► RAT STAND a railway station → 1910s UK criminals’ sl.
► RED BOARD a railway stop signal → 1929 US sl.
► RED ONION a railroad eating house → 1931 Amer. dial.
► REEFER a refrigerator; a refrigerated railway wagon → 1914 US sl.
► RIFF a refrigerated railway wagon → 1946 US sl.
► RIP TRACK on the railways: a hospital → 1977 US sl.
► RUST, THE railway tracks → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SACRED COW ► SACRED OX on the railways: an extra engine used on a mountain → 1977 US sl.
► SIDERODROMOPHOBIA an abnormal fear of railroads or of travelling on trains → 1991 (Bk.)
► SIDEROMANIA an obsession with railroad travel → 1991 (Bk.)
► SMOKY JOE a branch railroad that is not very important or gives poor service → 1966 Amer. dial.
► SMOOTH on the railways: a tip of ten cents → 1977 US sl.
► SPILL a railway station or depot → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SPUR LINE a railway branch-line → 1924
► SPURRING a railway side-track → 1842
► STEEL, THE railway tracks → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TEAPOT a railway station or depot → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TIE PASS an imaginary ticket entitling one to walk along a railroad track → 1879 Amer. dial.
► TIE-TICKET an imaginary ticket entitling one to walk along a railroad track → 1878 Amer. dial.
► TOONERVILLE CAR a small, run-down, or unreliable railroad, train, railcar, or trolley → 1965 Amer. dial.
► TOONERVILLE EXPRESS a small, run-down, or unreliable railroad, train, railcar, or trolley → 1965 Amer. dial.
► TOONERVILLE TROLLEY a small, run-down, or unreliable railroad, train, railcar, or trolley → 1919 Amer. dial.
► UKELELE on the railways: a short-handed shovel → 1977 US sl.
► UMPHFF the name of any railway station as called out by a conductor → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WRECKING CREW on the railway: a relief crew → 1946 US sl.
► X an empty railway wagon → 1946 US sl.

NOUNS – PERSON
► AIR ARTIST a railway engineer skilled at the use of air brakes → 1977 US sl.
► AIR GIVER a railway brakeman → 1977 US sl.
► AIRJAMMER a railway worker who connects airhoses and air signals on a train → 1977 US sl.
► AIR MONKEY a railway air-brake repairman → 1977 US sl.
► ASH CAN in railroading: a locomotive fireman → 1932 Amer. dial.
► ASH-CAT in railroading: a locomotive fireman → 1945 Amer. dial.
► ASH-EATER on the railroad: a fireman for a locomotive → 1948 Amer. sl.
► ASHPIT ENGINEER among railroad workers: a workman (usually the fireman) who services engines, esp. at division points and terminals → 1977 Amer. dial.
► BABY-LIFTER among railroad workers: a brakeman on a passenger train → 1931 Amer. dial.
► BABY SNATCHER a brakeman on a passenger train → 1920 US railroad usage 
► BACK-PORCH YARDMASTER among railroad workers: the foreman of the yard switchmen → 1977 Amer. dial.
► BAD ORDER among railroad workers: an incompetent employee → 1969 Amer. dial.
► BAGGAGE BOUNCER a railway porter → M19 US sl.
► BAGGAGE-MASTER one who has charge of the baggage of an army, or of the luggage on American railways → 1815
► BAGGAGE SMASHER one who handles baggage as an occupation; a railway porter → 1841 US sl. 
► BAILING WIRE ARTIST a mechanic whose skill is in question → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► BAKEHEAD among railroad workers: a locomotive fireman → 1929 Amer. dial.
► BALLAST SCORCHER a speedy engineer → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BALLAST-TRAIN GUARD a railway official in charge of a train of loaded trucks → 1898 (Bk.)
► BALLET MASTER a section foreman → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► BATTLESHIP a railway coal tender → 1946 US sl.
► BEAR CAT a fireman who was disliked by members of his train crew → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BEDBUG a Pullman porter → 1940 US railroad usage
► BEEDLER an engineer who works a locomotive to its limits → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BELL-RINGER a fireman → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BIG ‘E a locomotive engineer → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► BIG O in railroading: the conductor → 1930 Amer. dial.
► BIG OX in railroading: the conductor → 1943
► BIG SMOKE a fireman → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BILL CLERK a clerk who prepared the waybill → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► BLACKIE a fireman → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► BLOCKHEAD a railway brakeman → 1977 US sl.
► BRAINS on the railroad: a conductor → 1953 Amer. dial.
► BROKEN RAIL and old hand on the railroad → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► CAD a railway conductor → 1977 US sl.
► CALICO CLUCK a female railway worker → 1975 US sl.
► CALL BOY a boy or young man who called railway workers to work → 1898 US sl.
► CAR KNOCKER in railroading: a car repairman; a car inspector → 1925 Amer. dial.
► CAR TINK in railroading: a car repairman; a car inspector → 1945 Amer. dial.
► CAR TOAD in railroading: a car repairman; a car inspector → 1931 Amer. dial.
► CAR TONK in railroading: a car repairman; a car inspector → 1945 Amer. dial.
► CAR WHACKER in railroading: a car repairman; a car inspector → 1943 Amer. dial.
► CHAMBERMAID on the railroad: a machinist in roundhouse → 1943 Amer. dial.
► CHERRY PICKER 1. in railroading: a switchman → 1942 Amer. sl.
2. in railroading: one who is always figuring on the best jobs and sidestepping undesirable ones → 1945 Amer. dial.
► CHRISTMAS a railroad brakeman → 1909 US criminals’ sl.
► CHRISTMAS CARD a train guard, a military guard → 1950s rhyming sl.
► CINDER BULL a nickname for a railroad yard policeman or detective → E20 US tramps’ usage
► CINDER-CRUNCHER on the railway: a switchman → 1931 sl.
► CINDER DICK a nickname for a railroad yard policeman or detective → E20 US tramps’ usage
► CINDER SKIPPER a yard clerk on the railroad → 1945 Amer. dial.
► CINDER-SNAPPER a passenger who rides open platforms on observation car → 1945 Amer. dial.
► COAL-HEAVER a fireman → 1962 Amer. railroad sl. (Bk.)
► CON a railroad conductor → 1900 Amer. dial.
► DIAMOND CRACKER on the railroad: the fireman on a coal-burning locomotive → 1930 Amer. dial.
► DIAMOND PUSHER on the railroad: the fireman on a coal-burning locomotive → 1945 Amer. dial.
► DINGER a railway yardmaster → 1929 US sl.
► DIRT DAUBER on the railroad: a road grader → 1977 Amer. dial.
► DOGCATCHER a member of a train crew sent out to relieve another crew that has already worked the maximum number of hours allowed by law → 1931 US railroad sl.
► DOG-CHASER a member of a train crew sent out to relieve another crew that has already worked the maximum number of hours allowed by law → 1934 US railroad sl.
► DOLLY FLAPPER in railroading: a switch tender → 1932 Amer. dial.
► DONEGAN in railroading: a brakeman → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► DONICKER ► DONNIKER in railroading: a brakeman → 1932 Amer. dial.
► DONKEY in railroading: a member or foreman of a section gang → 1932 Amer. dial.
► DOOR-SLAMMER a railway conductor → 1893 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► DRUMMER a railway yard conductor → 1946 US sl.
► DUDE a railway conductor → 1946 US sl.
► EAGER-EYE a locomotive engineer who must be constantly on the lookout for signals and obstacles → 1943 Amer. dial. 
► EAGLE-EYE on the railroad: a locomotive engineer → 1900 Amer. jocular usage
► ELECTRIC OWL on the railroad: a telegraph operator who works at night → 1943 Amer. dial.
► END MAN on the railroad: the rear brakeman on a freight train → 1932 Amer. dial.
► ENGINE TAMER on the railroad: an engineer who breaks in a new locomotive → 1977 Amer. dial.
► FERROEQUINOLOGIST an enthusiast about railroads → 1991 (Bk.)
► FIREBOY on the railroad: a fireman → 1916 Amer. dial.
► GAFFER 1. on the railway: a shed foreman → 1974 Irish sl.
2. on the railways: a track crew supervisor → 1977 US sl.
3. a section fireman → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► GALVANIZER a railroad car inspector → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► GANDY a worker on the railroad who tamps ties → 1925 US sl. 
► GANDY DANCER a railway maintenance worker or section-hand → 1923 sl., orig. US
► GANDY STIFF a pick and shovel man; a worker on a railroad track crew → 1918 US sl.
► GANGER a navvy; the men employed in maintaining a railway are so called → 1886 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GANGMAN a member of a gang of workers responsible for maintenance of a section of railway → 1964 Indian English
► GANG PUSHER on the railroad: a section foreman → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► GATE-MAN ► GATES-MAN a gate-keeper, esp. at level crossings on railways → 1796
► GENERAL a railway yardmaster → 1946 US sl.
► GERRY a foreman on a railway track crew → 1867 US sl. 
► GINK the senior member of a gang of engine-cleaner boys → 20C railwaymen’s usage
► GLASS BACK a fireman who did not relish main-line duties; many men objected to the heavy physical work involved → 1970 railroad usage
► GLIDER PILOT a driver or fireman who was required to ride on a ‘dead’ locomotive when it was hauled back to the depot → 1945 railroad sl.
► GLORY HUNTER a fast engineer who showed little regard for his personal safety → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► GRABBER a railroad conductor → 1931 Amer. dial.
► GRANDPA on the railroad, and in logging: the general superintendent → 1931 Amer. dial.
► GREASEBALL on the railroad: a mechanic → 1942 Amer. dial.
► GROUNDHOG on the railway: a brakeman → 1926 Amer. sl.
► GRUNT on the railroad: a locomotive engineer → 1939 Amer. sl.
► HAIRY LEG a railway fettler, one who does repair or maintenance work on a railway → 1969 Aust. sl.
► HOG a railroad engineer → 1915 US railroad sl.
► HOGGER a railroad engineer → 1915 US railroad sl.
► HOG-HEAD a railroad engineer → 1915 US railroad sl.
► HUMP RAT a railway yard brakeman → 1968 US sl.
► HUNDRED PERCENTER a railroad employee, usually a conductor or engineer, who insists on full compliance with the rules → 1970 US railroad sl. (Bk.)
► IRON BENDER amongst railroad workers and loggers: a railroad brakeman → 1958 Amer. dial.
► JAM-BUSTER an assistant yardmaster in a railroad yard → 1938 US sl.
► JERRY in railroading: a section worker or other labourer; a section foreman → 1916 Amer. dial.
► MAIN PIN among railroad workers: a company official → 1931 Amer. dial.
► MASTER MANIAC a master mechanic → 1930 US railroad usage
► MASTER MIND a master mechanic → 20C Can. railroadmen’s sl.
► MONKEY a brakeman → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► MOONLIGHT MECHANIC a night shop foreman → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► MUD HOP a clerk in a railway yard → 1929 US sl.
► NAB a railroad security man → 1956 US sl.
► NUMBER GRABBER a railroad yard clerk → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► NUTCRACKER a railway roundhouse mechanic → 1977 US sl.
► OLD HEAD and old hand on the railroad → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► OLD RAIL a veteran railroader → 1930 US sl.
► PAPER WEIGHT a railroad clerk → 1916 US railroad usage (Bk.)
► PARLOUR MAID a rear railway brakeman → 1946 US sl.
► PASSENGER STIFF a railway passenger → 1977 US sl.
► PEAKY-BLINDER ► PEEKY-BLINDER a railwayman from Birmingham → L19
► POCATELLO YARDMASTER on the railroad: an itinerant worker ..1940 Amer. dial.
► PUFFLER on the railway: a foreman or ganger → 20C railwaymen’s usage
► RAG a railway pointsman → 1946 sl.
► RAIL any railway employee → 1931 Can. & US sl.
► RAILROAD DICK a railroad police officer, guard, or detective → 1910s US sl.
► RAISIN PICKER on the railway: a worker from Fresno, California → 1975 US sl.
► ROUNDER a transient railway worker → 1908 US sl.
► RUSTY RAIL and old hand on the railroad → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SCALPER one who buys and sells at a profit, but at a price lower than the official one, unused portions of long-distance railway tickets → 1882 US sl.
► SCISSORS BILL a railroad detective → 1940 Amer. railroad usage
► SHAG a railroad brakeman → 1956 Amer. dial.
► SHORT-TAIL a non-union man → 1916 US railroad usage (Bk.)
► SIZZER-BILL a yard or road brakeman; not complimentary → 1932 Amer. railroad usage
► SNAKE a railway worker → 1929 US & Aust. sl.
► SNAKE CHARMER a railway maintenance worker → 1937 Aust. sl.
► SNIPE a track labourer → 1916 US railroad usage (Bk.)
► SPARKS a railroad telegrapher → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► SPOTTER a plain-clothes railroad employee who rides a passenger train to make sure the conductor and brakemen are doing a satisfactory job → 1970 US railroad sl. (Bk.)
► TACKHEAD a yard clerk → 1978 railroad usage  (Bk.)
► TALLOW in the railroad: a locomotive fireman → 1953 Amer. dial.
► TALLOW POT in the railroad: a locomotive fireman → 1888 Amer. dial.
► TICKET SNAPPER a ticket inspector on the railways → 1984 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► WHISKERS and old hand on the railroad → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► WIPER an employee who cleans locomotives → k1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► WOOLLY NOSE a railway fettler → 1969 Aust. sl.
► WRENCH ARTIST a railway mechanic → 1977 US sl.
► YARDBIRD on the railway: an injured employee assigned to limited duty in a railway yard → 1968 US sl.
► YARD BULL a railroad police officer, guard, or detective → 1904 US sl.
► YARD CLERK on the railroad: a person engaged in clerical work in and around yards and terminals → 1978 railroad usage (Bk.)
► YARD DICK a railroad police officer, guard, or detective → 1917 US sl.
► YARD GEESE railroad workers in the yards; switchmen, yard-clerks, yard-masters, etc. → c1910 tramps’ sl.
► YARDMAN a rail worker → 20C
► YARDMASTER the person responsible for control of train and engine operations within a yard → 1889 railroad usage 
► YOUNG RUNNER a newly promoted engineer or conductor → 1970 US railroad sl. (Bk.)

PHRASES
► BACK TO THE FARM among railroad workers: laid off; fired → 1945 Amer. dial.
► OFF THE STEEL not engaged in railway work → 1977 US sl.

VERBS
► ANCHOR among railroad workers: to set the brakes → 1931 Amer. dial.
► BAKE A CAKE among railroad workers: to build up steam in a locomotive; to get a good fire going in a locie or donkey engine → 1958 Amer. dial.
► BAT OUT on the railways, to switch cars quickly and expertly → 1977 US sl.
► BATTLE THE RATTLER to travel on the railways without paying → 1955 Aust. sl.
► BEAT HER ON THE BACK in railroading: to make fast time, work an engine at full stroke → 1929 Amer. dial.
► BONE OUT to survey a stretch of rail in order to adjust the level → 20C railwaymen’s sl.
► CLEAN THE CLOCK on the railroad: to apply the emergency brakes → 1929 Amer. sl.
► COON on the railways: to travel over the tops of goods wagons while a train is moving → 1975 US sl.
► COUNT TIES to walk on a railroad track → 1893 Amer. dial.
► GOOSE in railroading: to apply the brakes or throw the engine into reverse while it is moving; to make an emergency stop → 1938 Amer. dial.
► HIT THE TIES among itinerants: to walk along a railway track → 1907 Amer. sl.
► HOP A RATTLER to travel on the railway without paying → 1921 sl., orig. Aust.
► JUMP THE RATTLER to travel on the railway without paying → 1900 sl., orig. Aust.
► MACE THE RATTLER to defraud the railway, to travel for free → 1904 sl.
► SHUFFLE THE DECK on the railway: to switch wagons onto side tracks at stations along a line → 1946 US sl.
► SKIP THE CINDERS to walk along a railway track → 1977 US sl.
► SKIP THE TIES to walk along a railway track → 1977 US sl.
► STACK UP on the railway: to have a collision → 1977 US sl.
► TAKE A TIE-TICKET to walk the railroad ties → 1906 Amer. dial.
► UNLOAD on the railway: to end a work shift or to jump off a moving train → 1977 US sl.
► WIPE THE CLOCK railroad: to apply the emergency brakes → 1929 Amer. sl.