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| brakesman | The brake operator on the rolling stock. |
| centenary | 100th year celebration. |
| centre cab | A shelter on the locomotive for the engine men. |
| chaldron | The early wagons (chaldrons) were measured in bolls:1 boll = 2.35cwt which is about 300 kilos (20cwt = 1 ton). |
| cinders | The remains of the burnt coal. |
| comparative | To compare one thing against another. |
| contrivances | A clever invention. |
| conveyances | A means of transport. |
| crank | A device used to convert motion, which consists of an arm that projects form a shaft or axle. |
| depreciated | To decline in value. |
| eccentric | A person with an unusual or odd personality |
| egotistical | Those having an inflated idea of their own importance |
| exertions | Making an effort. |
| fireboxes | The compartment at the rear of the boiler which houses the fire. The firebox is where the fuel, usually coal, but it can be wood or oil, is burnt to provide the heat to boil the water in the boiler. |
| garret | An attic - the room at the top of a house directly under the roof. |
| gigs | A light two-wheeled horse drawn carriage. |
| inhabitants | Those who live in a particular place such as a house. |
| keelman | A man who works on a flat bottomed boat that carries coal. |
| locomotives | Engines driven by steam, electricity or diesel power. They pull the carriages. |
| metropolis | A city such as London or Newcastle. |
| obsession | An idea or feeling that takes over your mind. |
| parcel van | A carriage used to carry the Royal Mail and parcels. |
| perishable | Likely to rot. |
| phenomenally | Extraordinary. |
| pioneered | To be the first time something has been done or invented. |
| piston | A part which moves through the cylinder where it receives and sends the pressure of the steam. |
| prepondering | Influential. |
| proprietors | Owners of businesses. |
| revolutionised | Brought about a complete change. |
| rolling stock | The wheeled vehicles used on the railways, including the locomotive and carriages. |
| staiths or staithes | Staithes are the structures used to transfer coal from the wharf or dock to the ship. They were usually built on the sides of rivers and had ramps to slide coal into the ships or barges. |
| speculator | Someone who invests in a company or property. |
| steam packets | Passenger ships. |
| subjoin | To add something at the end of spoken or written words. |
| superseded | When something is replaced by a newer version. |
| supplements | In addition to. |
| tabulated | To arrange information or figures in a list or table. |
| terminus | The last station on a railway. |
| traction | A steam or diesel engine used to pull heavy loads. |
| winding machinery | In the mines the lift is lowered and raised using thick metal coils. The winding machinery looks like a large wheel and the thick metal coils are wrapped round it. |