trackwalker

[ trak-waw-ker ]

noun

1. a person employed to walk over and inspect a certain section of railroad track at intervals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trackwalker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; track + walker

Example Sentences

His decapitated body, found by a trackwalker, was thought to have been struck by a train.

From Time Magazine Archive

But on the way to the station, the trackwalker got to thinking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Making the rounds of the dark, thunderous subway tunnels under Manhattan's Time Square one afternoon last week, a trackwalker was startled by the sight of a small boy lashed by wire to a steel stanchion.

From Time Magazine Archive

The glib, confidential voice that made this announcement was that of Arthur Hale, a Manhattan newscaster who in his 43 years has been doughboy, claim agent, insurance man, trackwalker and radio pianist, but never a reporter.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week was one of high exuberance for everyone connected with Union Pacific Railroad�from Chairman William Averell Harriman and President Carl Raymond Gray down to Jose the trackwalker.

From Time Magazine Archive