reversing gear

noun

A mechanism used to control the direction of travel of a steam locomotive.

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Meanings

nounreversing gear (plural reversing gears)

plural reversing gears

  1. engineeringA mechanism used to control the direction of travel of a steam locomotive.

    The steam reversing gear has been dispensed with and in its place a screw gear has been provided.

    1956 April, “"Merchant Navy" Class Pacific Modified”, in Railway Magazine, page 209
    1 more example

    A new type of air-inducing ring improved considerably the atomising and distribution of the oil fuel in the firebox, and it was advanced practice for the period that the new engine was equipped with compressed air operation of both the reversing gear and the water-scoop.

    1961 February, Cecil J. Allen, “Salute to the "Claud Hamiltons" & "Directors"”, in Trains Illustrated, page 115

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
reverse gear
Cite this entry
APA

reversing gear. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reversing%20gear

MLA

“reversing gear.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reversing%20gear. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reversing gear,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reversing%20gear.

Source: reversing gear on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.