Here are more of the slang words that railroaders have made up:
BALLING THE JACK--this is what they say when they mean a train is going
very fast. Highballing means the same thing.
BOOMER--a railroad worker who moves from place to place without sticking
very long at any one job. There are still a few boomers, but in the old
days there were thousands.
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BUCKLE THE BALONIES--this means fasten together the air brake hoses
which run underneath all the cars.
CHASE THE RED--this is what the flagman says he does when he goes back
with a red flag or lantern to protect a stalled train.
CRACKER BOX--a Diesel streamliner. Glowworm means the same thing.
CRADLE--a gondola or hopper car.
DOODLEBUG--a little railroad motor car that the section crew uses.
DOPE--the oily waste that is packed in journal boxes.
GARDEN--a freight yard.
GIVE HER THE GRIT--squirt sand onto a slippery track.
GREASE THE PIG--oil the engine.
HIGH IRON--the track that makes up the main line of a railroad, not
switching track or station track.
PULL THE CALF’S TAIL--jerk the cord that blows the whistle.
RATTLER--a freight train.
SHOO-FLY--a track that is used only until regular track can be laid or
repaired.
STRING OF VARNISH--a passenger train. High wheeler is another nickname.
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