one engine in steam

Phrase CEFR C2

Definitions

A principle in railway signalling where only one train or locomotive is allowed to run on a section of single-track line, such as a branch line, at any one time.

UK

Examples

“There are eight 4-wheel coaches of the open ⟳ toastrack type ⟳, but provided with roofs, and during the holiday season, usually beginning at Whitsuntide, trains are run ⟳ as required on the one-engine-in-steam principle.”

“A change ⟳ seems likely on the Axminster-Lyme Regis branch [...]. We hear ⟳ also that one-engine-in-steam operation will probably be introduced on this line.”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See all C2 English words →

See also

one for all, all for one one for the money, two for the show, three to make ready, and four to go one good turn deserves another one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen one heart, one soul one in the eye for

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