inspection pit

plural inspection pits

1. A narrow pit or trench over which a vehicle can be parked and conveniently worked on from beneath.

   All tracks in both the running shed and repair shop are provided with full-length inspection pits.

   1957 December 28, “Diesel Depot at Darlington”, in Railway Magazine, page 876

   1 more example

   The shed encloses three inspection pit roads, each able to hold a six-car set, and has been designed to permit future extension for the servicing of nine-car trains if this is required.

   1960 December, “The Glasgow Suburban Electrification is opened”, in Trains Illustrated, page 713

   Synonyms: grease pit