Meanings
nounlight engine (plural light engines)
plural light engines
- rail transportA locomotive running on its own, or with other powered locomotives, with no wagons or carriages attached.
On February 24, 99003 undertook its first solo main line test - as a light engine - on both routes. 99004 followed suit on March 2.
2026 March 18, “More GBRf Class 99s arrive”, in RAIL, number 1057, page 131 more example
After a week's manœuvrability tests at Winwick, the locomotive was to undergo three weeks' trials, light engine and loaded, between Whitchurch and Tattenhall Junction.
1960 December, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region”, in Trains Illustrated, page 767
Cite this entry
APA
light engine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/light%20engine
MLA
“light engine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/light%20engine. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “light engine,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/light%20engine.
Source: light engine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.