brake-van

American  

[breyk-van] / ˈbreɪkˌvæn /

noun

British.

1. the caboose of a railway train.

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brake van British  

noun

1. railways the coach or vehicle from which the guard applies the brakes; guard's van

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Etymology

Origin of brake-van

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

He was about to take his seat again in the carriage when he observed a crowd on the platform opposite the brake-van at the rear end of the train.

From The Monkey That Would Not Kill by Wain, Louis

"De Aar," and the Africander guard flung himself out of his brake-van.

From On the Heels of De Wet by James, Lionel

This eventually took the form of being driven to the nearest railway terminus, a short day's journey, and being deposited in a first-class carriage, with all their effects in the brake-van, carefully labelled.

From The Crooked Stick or Pollies's Probation by Boldrewood, Rolf

About Tell el-Kabír, the brake-van also waxed unsafely warm; but it reached Zagázig without developing more caloric.

From The Land of Midian — Volume 2 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

From Auckland the Prince went south on a train, every part of which, from the engine to the brake-van, had been built in New Zealand workshops.

From Down Under With the Prince by Duncan, Sara Jeannette