Dictionary

honorary steam locomotive en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (informal) A diesel locomotive that outputs a large amount of exhaust, to the point it resembles the exhaust from a steam locomotive, particularly those produced by the American Locomotive Company.
   • All of the motive power shown is steam, with the exception of three Alco PA units, which seem generally to have been elevated to the position of honorary steam locomotives. 1968 September 14, George W. Hilton, TRAINS, pages 54-55:
   • The refurbished motor roars to life, practically an honorary steam locomotive when it's cold. 2014 April 6, Sumpter Valley News, “720 Progress...”, in Sumpter Valley Railroad News:

Forms

Synonyms

honorary steam engine