noun
hostler
A worker who moves locomotives within a rail yard.
The hostler moves the locomotive from the repair shop into the yard.
Etymology
A hostler originally attended travelers’ horses. Railways transferred the occupational name to a worker who tends or moves locomotives within a yard.
More examples
- Two hostlers move the engines to their assigned tracks.
- The hostler brings a locomotive to the fueling station.
- She works as a hostler on the terminal's night shift.
Forms
hostler · hostlers
Similar words
- engineer
- Operates locomotives on routes, not only within rail yards.