Re: Question on the railroad term "trig"

Interesting conversation on railroad terms from around the world, I have Canadian friends who call the caboose a van. New England still has many vestiges of the Colonial era such as homes built prior to 1776 (some date to the late 1600's) and road names that date from that time. The Kings Highway in Newcastle Maine is one such Colonial era name. As to railroading, the term "trig" is a regional word describing a timber used to block the wheels on a piece of rolling stock that does not have brakes on is on a steep grade. The modern version could be the skate which is a steel wedge that fits under a flanged wheel, often used when the car is tied down on a grade or where brakes may be tampered with.

Has anyone else heard the term "trig" and do you know if it comes from British or Scottish railroading?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/2018 11:08AM by Stewart Rhine.