Slip coach

nounStandard termRailroad

A passenger car detached from the rear of a moving train to serve an intermediate station.

A historic British railway practice where a passenger car was uncoupled from the back of an express train while at speed. A dedicated guard riding in the car would use hand brakes to bring it to a controlled stop at a station platform, allowing the main train to maintain its schedule without braking.

Heard on the job

The slip coach for Reading will detach just past the main junction.