work train

noun

a train that transports railroad workers, building materials, etc., to construction or maintenance assignments on the railroad.

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

The locomotive of the work-train was at the hind end and the roadmasters standing on the first flat car were signalling.

There are times when the work-train must be summoned, when laborers by the dozen must get to work to build new track.

Meantime my work train cannot be used by the superintendent for maintenance purposes.

Well, he has never come, and I have had many reports of the work train, but no one seems to know anything definite about him.

A work train was started from each end with a small force (20 or 25 men) to run over the changed track.

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