Crews run light engine to move power between terminals, to reach a stranded train, or to return helpers to the bottom of a grade. A light engine still needs authority on the main, and its short length and light weight can fail to shunt track circuits on rusty rail. Paperwork often spells it lite, and lite power is just as common on the radio.
Heard on the job
We're running light engine back to North Platte, three units and no cars, so we should make it with time to spare.
Also heard as
- lite engine
- lite power
- light power
- running light