Re: Aussie railway slang

["FH Eden" <feden@zipworld.com.au>]

Tezza <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au> wrote in message
3a8416ae$0$16397$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au">news:3a8416ae$0$16397$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au...
>
> "Brian" <brm@global.net.au> wrote in message
> 981731641.174610@pluto.global.net.au">news:981731641.174610@pluto.global.net.au...
> | >
> | > It was interesting to note different meanings the Brits give to
certain
> | > words. For example, "peg" means a semaphore signal, whereas in
Australia
> | > it often refers to distance post.
> |
> | I didn't see this subject last time it came up so my contribution this
> time
> | around is reffering to a Guard as a "sprag".
> | Sprag officially per the rules, was a thick piece of wood with pointy
ends
> | used to stick in the holes or between the spokes of wheels when the hand
> | brake was U/S to prevent the vehicle rolling away.
>
>
> I seem to recall 20 odd years ago that a trainee shunter was called a
sprag.
>
>
You missed one of the most interesting...a fettler was a "hairyleg"
franco