center pin

American  

noun

Railroads.

1. a cylindrical device passing through the center plates of both the body bolster and the truck bolster, permitting the truck to swivel beneath the car body while the stress is taken by the center plate.

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Etymology

Origin of center pin

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

“Sportsmanlike behavior is the center pin to maintaining hunting as a socially acceptable activity,” Fred Trevey wrote in an email forwarded to the governor’s office.

From The Guardian

“I think it is important that you be the center pin!!”

From New York Times

But no one did better than Michael Hartford, whose shot finished 3' 7" from a center pin placement. Impressive, although still not good enough to break the record of 1' 4" by Mark Wilson's caddie, Chris Jones, in 2005.

From Golf Digest

“We played a center pin from the back tee, and it was 265,” Woods said.

From New York Times

The truck is attached to the locomotive frame by a center pin, but the forward weight of the locomotive is carried by a roller which bears on the frame of the truck.

From Project Gutenberg