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locomotive engine

locomotive engine

3.6
A machine on train tracks that pulls or pushes trains
  • noun
  • /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv ˈɛnʤɪn/
translation icon : locomotora
  • Mark Rosekind, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said a front-facing camera on the locomotive engine and dash cam video from a police cruiser revealed the new information.

Examples

  • The locomotive engine powered the entire train as it traveled across the countryside.

  • Analyses are normally performed on locomotive engines every 92 days, during regularly scheduled maintenance.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The Tedann Technology for on-board oil analysis on locomotive engines is an outgrowth of another R&D project at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In the main engine room, there are two immense (taller than me) Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, which are actual locomotive engines.

    Blog text (7)
  • Among the damaged equipment: nine dual-powered locomotive engines and 84 multi-level rail cars purchased over the past six years at a cost of about $385 million.

    Blog text (28)
  • Separately, EMD is developing dual-fuel locomotive engines as part of a two-year program with the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) of San Antonio, Tex.

    Academic text (1995)
  • A skilled engineer maintained the locomotive engine to ensure it operated efficiently during the journey.

  • After a thorough inspection, they confirmed that the locomotive engine was ready for the long haul.

Synonyms

engine
vslocomotive engine
89 3.5

A vehicle that pulls train cars on railway tracks

is the compound term for that same self propelled train vehicle
locomotive
vslocomotive engine
37 4.6

A train engine that pulls rail cars

uses a slightly different compound term for the same powered rail vehicle
steam locomotive
vslocomotive engine
3 3.2

A train engine that uses steam made by heating water to move

is the neutral technical term covering all power types for train motive power
diesel locomotive
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A railway engine that runs on diesel fuel rather than steam or electricity

is the general powered rail vehicle not limited to one fuel type
tank engine
vslocomotive engine
  • Archaic
1 5.0

A steam train that carries its own fuel and water without another car behind it

is the general powered rail vehicle term not limited to onboard supplies
diesel-electric
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A train engine that uses electric motors powered by a diesel engine

refers generally to a self propelled rail vehicle without technical detail
electric locomotive
vslocomotive engine
1 3.9

A train engine that runs on electricity from overhead wires or a third rail

is the broader self propelled rail vehicle term not tied to power source
railway locomotive
vslocomotive engine
  • UK
4.4

A large machine on wheels that pulls a train on tracks

is the same idea expressed with a different compound phrasing
diesel-electric locomotive
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
5.1

A train engine that uses a diesel engine to make electricity that runs its electric motors

is the broader powered rail vehicle category, not a specific transmission type
diesel-hydraulic
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
7.7

A train engine that uses a diesel engine and a hydraulic system to send power to the wheels

is the general powered rail vehicle category without naming its transmission
diesel-hydraulic locomotive
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
7.7

A train engine that uses a diesel motor and fluid pressure to drive the wheels

is the general term for a self propelled vehicle supplying train motive power
tank locomotive
vslocomotive engine
  • Archaic
8.0

A steam engine that carries its own fuel and water so it needs no separate car

is the broader term for any self propelled rail vehicle providing train power
pilot engine
vslocomotive engine
  • Archaic
7.6

A train engine that goes ahead to check the track for obstacles

focuses on supplying motive power rather than performing a route checking role
switch engine
vslocomotive engine
  • Specialized
6.6

A small vehicle that moves train cars inside a rail yard

is used generally for pulling trains on main routes, not yard shunting

Surface Forms

Morphology

locomotive + engine

Both constituent nouns refer to the same domain (railway traction) and their combination simply specifies a rail vehicle that provides motive power; the overall meaning is directly predictable from knowing 'locomotive' and 'engine'. This noun–noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will understand the MWE.

Etymology

Locomotive engine is named for what it does: locomotive comes from old words meaning 'move', and engine is a machine that gives 'power', so the name creates the image of a machine that moves or pulls a train. That's why it now means the vehicle that makes a train move.