dynamometer car

noun

, Railroads.

1. a car equipped with special instruments and coupled to a locomotive to record its energy output, fuel consumption, and other data continuously during a regularly scheduled run.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynamometer car¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

We run and double back with the dynamometer car to try out our tractive power.

From Project Gutenberg

The dynamometer car is constructed to indicate the tractive effort of the engine, the speed, and the distance travelled.

From Project Gutenberg