Right-away signal

nounStandard termRailroad

A visual or auditory confirmation given to the engineer that a train is cleared to depart a station.

An authorization given by a conductor or station staff to the locomotive engineer indicating that all passenger doors are closed, boarding is complete, and it is safe to move. It is typically delivered via a buzzer system, a hand signal, or a radio transmission.

Heard on the job

I got the right-away signal from the conductor, so let's notch it out and get moving.

Also heard as

  • highball
  • buzzer