signalman
Definition
Noun: A railroad employee responsible for operating and maintaining signals and switches (points) in a railroad yard or along a railway line. Their primary duty is to ensure the safe movement of trains by controlling the track routes and signal indications.
Usage
The term "signalman" specifically refers to the person holding this operational role within a railway system. * The signalman changed the points to direct the freight train onto the correct siding. * Before the era of automated systems, communication between the driver and the signalman was crucial for safety.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The role of the signalman was central in early and mid-20th-century railroading, often working in a signal box. While automation has reduced the number of such positions, the term is still used in many rail systems.
- The old signalman recalled when all signals were controlled by mechanical levers.
Variants and Related Words
- Signalwoman (n): A female railroad employee in charge of signals and points.
- Signal box (n): The building or structure from which a signalman historically worked.
- Switchman (n): A railroad worker responsible for operating track switches; this role can overlap with or be distinct from that of a signalman depending on the railway.
Synonyms
- Railway signal operator
- Train dispatcher (Note: This can be a broader or more modern role involving centralized traffic control.)
Related Phrases
- To work as a signalman: To have the job of a signalman.
- He worked as a signalman for over thirty years.
Noun
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a railroad employee in charge of signals and point in a railroad yard
