Re: Aussie railway slang

["Tezza" <tezza2000@dingoblue.net.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.