railway locomotive

/ˌreɪlˈweɪ ˌˈloʊkəˌmoʊdɪv/

Other forms: railway locomotives

Definitions of railway locomotive

1. noun

   a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
   synonyms: engine, locomotive, locomotive engine

   types:

   choo-choo

   a child's word for locomotive

   diesel locomotive

   a locomotive driven by a diesel engine

   dinkey, dinky

   a small locomotive

   electric locomotive

   a locomotive that is powered by an electric motor

   iron horse

   (c. 1840) an early term for a locomotive

   pilot engine

   a locomotive that precedes a train to check the track

   shunter

   a small locomotive used to move cars around but not to make trips

   steam locomotive

   a locomotive powered by a steam engine

   donkey engine, switch engine

   a locomotive for switching rolling stock in a railroad yard

   tank engine, tank locomotive

   a locomotive that carries its own fuel and water; no tender is needed

   traction engine

   steam-powered locomotive for drawing heavy loads along surfaces other than tracks

   diesel-electric, diesel-electric locomotive

   a locomotive driven by the electric current generated by a diesel engine

   diesel-hydraulic, diesel-hydraulic locomotive

   a locomotive driven by a hydraulic transmission system powered by a diesel engine

   type of:

   self-propelled vehicle

   a wheeled vehicle that carries in itself a means of propulsion