trainmaster

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *dʰregʰ-der.?

Latin trahere

Vulgar Latin *tragīnāre

Old French traïnerder.

Old French trainder.

Middle English trayne

English train

Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂-der.?

Proto-Indo-European *meh₂-der.?

Proto-Italic *magisteros

Latin magister, magistrum

Old French maistrebor.

▲

Latin magisterder.

Old English mǣġester

Middle English maister

English master

English trainmaster

From train + master.

Noun

trainmaster (plural trainmasters)

1. (US, rail transport) A superintendent or supervisor of a freight railroad, responsible for train movements, crew assignments, derailments and more.

   In the past, trainmasters were promoted brakemen or conductors who retained their union seniority.

   • 1946 March and April, “The Why and The Wherefore: The Duties of Yardmasters, Controllers and Trainmasters”, in Railway Magazine, page 127:

     Trainmasters are American officials, who perform duties somewhat akin to those of a British controller, but with obvious differences dictated by the different operating conditions in America.

References

• Brotherton, William J. Burlington Northern Adventures: Railroading in the Days of the Caboose