slip coach
Noun: A slip coach is a railway passenger car at the rear of a train that is designed to be uncoupled and detached from the moving train, allowing it to come to a stop at a station without requiring the main part of the train to stop.
The term slip coach specifically refers to this operational railway car and the practice of using it. It is a historical term, as this practice is largely obsolete in modern rail travel. - The slip coach system was used to serve intermediate stations without delaying the express train. - Passengers for the local station would travel in the slip coach.
- In the early 20th century, some express trains included a slip coach for the branch line to Oxford.
- The guard in the slip coach would apply the brakes after it was detached from the moving train.
- Traveling in the slip coach required passengers to be aware they would detach from the main train.
- To slip a coach: The action of detaching the slip coach from the moving train.
- The express train was scheduled to slip a coach at the junction.
- Slip carriage: A synonymous term used primarily in British English.
- Slip portion: Another term for the detached section of the train.
- Slip service: Refers to the overall operational practice of using slip coaches.
- Detachable coach
- Slip carriage
The slip coach was a clever but complex operational feature designed to combine the speed of express services with local station access. Its use declined with improvements in braking systems, signaling, and more frequent train services.
- a railway car at the end of the train; it can be detached without stopping the train