Shop talk and trade slang

100 entries in this trade.

nitrous

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

The system in some racing vehicles which pumps nitrous oxide into the engine to improve performance.

non-op

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A nonoperator; a rail worker not directly involved in the mechanical operation of trains.

one engine in steam

phraseShop talk and trade slang

A principle in railway signalling where only one train or locomotive is allowed to run on a section of single-track line, such as a branch line, at any one time.

pavement princess

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

A pickup truck, SUV, or ute that is modified for off-road capabilities, such as large tires and suspension lifts, but rarely or never used off-road, often seen as showy or impractical.

A simple electromechanical device used to control resistance or voltage (often to adjust sound volume) in an electronic device by rotating or sliding when manipulated by a human thumb, screwdriver, etc.

power brick

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

A power supply for an electronic device which is similar in size, shape, and weight of a brick, which plugs into the device using a cord, and to the main supply by another cord.

PRNDL

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

The gearstick in a car with automatic transmission.

pumpkin

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

The housing for a differential, built into an axle of a vehicle; the housing and its contents.

put to bed

verbShop talk and trade slangidiomatic

To prepare (a newspaper) for printing.

rainbow era

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A period in the early 1970s when Amtrak operated a fleet of used equipment that still carried the paint schemes of their previous owners.

rebirthing

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

The practice of transferring identifying parts of a wrecked car (registration plates, compliance plate, etc.) onto a stolen car of the same make and model, allowing the stolen car to be sold with the identity of the wreck.

reo

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

Steel used to reinforce concrete.

rodbuster

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

A concrete-reinforcing ironworker.

rollback

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A form of flatbed truck adapted or designed specifically to carry other vehicles, for use in recovery (wrecking, salvage) or for transporting.

shed

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A British Rail Class 66 locomotive.

six foot

nounShop talk and trade slangcolloquial

the area between the closest rails of two parallel standard gauge railway lines, regardless of the actual distance.

slingshot

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

The act of passing cars queuing in the left-hand lane and using the right-hand lane to go around a roundabout, exiting at the desired junction having avoided the queue.

smoke wagon

nounShop talk and trade slangarchaic, slang

A vehicle that generates smoke; specifically, an automobile or a train.

stack talk

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

The sound made by the exhaust of a steam locomotive.

stripper

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A base or entry-level trim level of a car model, lacking amenities or features found in higher trim levels.

suck, squeeze, bang, blow

phraseShop talk and trade slang

A reference to the Otto cycle and four-stroke internal combustion engines.

suicide cable

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A simple electrical cord with prongs on both ends; plugging one end into a live outlet (for example a generator) and the other end into a dead outlet (in a house with no power) allows power to be injected from the live outlet into the dead one.

switchback

nounShop talk and trade slangfigurative

A railway track on which there are steep ascents and descents, a train moving partially or fully by the force of gravity using the momentum generated when descending to travel up an ascending part of the track; especially (UK, dated), such a track built for fun rides at an amusement park; a type of rollercoaster.

there is no replacement for displacement

phraseShop talk and trade slangcolloquial

A bigger engine is better.

three-on-the-tree

nounShop talk and trade slangidiomatic

On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is a column shifter (mounted on the steering column) (R-N-1-2-3).

thumper

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

A kind of slam-door train introduced in the late 1950s.

tint

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A vehicle window that has been darkened to conceal the occupant.

toast rack

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

Any of several types of railway or tramway passenger vehicles with open sides and transverse benches that span the width of the vehicle body, such that it resembles a toast rack.

toaster

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

An EMD AEM-7 electric locomotive

town car

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A hired non-stretch limousine, traditionally but not necessarily a standard-wheelbase Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac sedan.

traveler hook

nounShop talk and trade slangjargon

Any of various hand tools for manipulating travelers in spinning; any similar hook used in other industries.

U-boat

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

Nickname given to the General Electric Universal Series diesel-electric locomotives.

varnish

nounShop talk and trade slangdated, informal

A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.

Vic

nounShop talk and trade slangslang

A Ford Crown Victoria automobile.

warning track

nounShop talk and trade slanginformal

A non-driving surface at the edge of a road, with a different surfacing warning drivers of the approach to the edge of the road, as part of the shoulder of a road.