switchman

[ swich-muhn ]

noun

, plural switch·men.

1. a person who has charge of a switch on a railroad.
2. a person who assists in moving cars in a railway yard or terminal.

switchman

/ ˈswɪtʃmən /

noun

1. a person who operates railway points Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)pointsman

Word History and Origins

Origin of switchman¹

First recorded in 1835–45; switch + -man

Example Sentences

But what limit is set to a switchman's courage I have never known, because I've never known one to balk at a yardmaster's order.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a good switchman and more than ordinarily intelligent.

From Project Gutenberg

A railroad switchman who faces the company's president after saving a train from destruction might wear just that expression.

From Project Gutenberg

The next night he told me to keep the key till the old switchman came back on duty—so he must have had an extra one of his own.

From Project Gutenberg

He snatched a lantern from the hand of a bewildered switchman and stumbled again toward the overturned car.

From Project Gutenberg