trainman

American  

[treyn-muhn] / ˈtreɪn mən /

noun

plural

trainmen

1. a member of the crew that operates a railroad train, usually an assistant to the conductor, such as a brakeman or flagman.

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Etymology

Origin of trainman

1635–45, in sense “member of a trainband”; 1875–80 for current sense; train + -man

Example Sentences

Kreichbaum, 24, was working as a trainman for the Cumberland Valley Railroad when he was drafted.

From Washington Times • Nov. 17, 2018

That galaxy-spanning canvas springs directly from Green Lantern comics, which started in 1940 after a cartoonist named Martin Nodell saw a New York City subway trainman wave a green lantern as an all-clear signal.

From New York Times • Jun. 11, 2011

His nephew Mr. Steffes was a trainman at the rail yard.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2010

Very early New Year's morning Charles P. Ruby, railroad trainman, arose in his Washington home.

From Time Magazine Archive

A trainman should, and does, depend more on his judgment than on any set of rules, and permits the rule to be stretched now and then to fit circumstances.

From The Conquest The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Micheaux, Oscar