Word of the Day 22 August 2026

collector shoe

A current collector on an electric train or locomotive which is in contact with the live rail.

Why this one

The contact that picks up current from a third rail. Named for its shape, which is how most rail hardware gets named.

In use

Unit came in with a cracked collector shoe on the leading bogie, so it's stopped until we swap it out.

Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.

Sources