He caught at the rail, mounted the footplate, and swung himself into the cab.
When he slid back to the footplate his legs were wet to the mid shin.
But again the corner of the footplate jammed with the corner of the truck, and again we came to a jarring halt.
He could not help thinking how excellent a thing it would be to come home after a grimy run on the footplate.
footplate foot·plate (fut'plāt')
n.
See base of stapes.
See pedicel.