freight train

English

BNSF freight train between Kennewick and Wishram, Washington State, USA.

Noun

freight train (plural freight trains)

1. A train used for the transportation of freight.
2. (by extension) A large, unstoppable force; a juggernaut.
   • 2010, Richard D. Jensen, The Nicest Fella: The Life of Ben Johnson. the World Champion Rodeo Cowboy Who Became an Oscar-winning Movie Star, iUniverse, →ISBN:

     Williams was known as an unstoppable freight train of a guy, a man who was unfazed by pain and unafraid of getting hurt.

   • 2010, Carolanne Allen, Living in the Light ... A Message of Love and Healing, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 367:

     My estimable love and gratitude go out to my family for their continued support and patience in standing by me over the past months while I literally withdrew from life to 'grab a tail feather' and fly with this runaway freight-train of a project.

   • 2012, Robert Graves, Seven Days in New Crete, Penguin UK, →ISBN:

     BenYeshu's theory was that 'these experiments will supply the necessary data as to when and why the freight train of civilization leapt the rails'.

Synonyms

• freight (as a short form)
• goods train

Coordinate terms

• passenger train

Translations

train used for transportation of freight — see goods train