honorary steam locomotive

English

Noun

honorary steam locomotive (plural honorary steam locomotives)

1. (rail transport, informal) A diesel locomotive that outputs a large amount of exhaust, to the point it resembles the exhaust from a steam locomotive, particularly those produced by the American Locomotive Company.

   Synonym: honorary steam engine

   • 1968 September, George W. Hilton, TRAINS‎^[1], pages 54-55:

     All of the motive power shown is steam, with the exception of three Alco PA units, which seem generally to have been elevated to the position of honorary steam locomotives.

   • 2014 April 6, Sumpter Valley News, “720 Progress...”, in Sumpter Valley Railroad News‎^[2]:

     The refurbished motor roars to life, practically an honorary steam locomotive when it's cold.