signal lad

plural signal lads

1. UKrail transportA young man employed in a signalbox to record the times of trains as they pass through the area served by the signalbox.

   Signal lads are employed at the panel-operated boxes to record train times. A small replica of the track diagram with simplified track circuit indications and the general circuit telephone concentrators are incorporated in their desk, as here at Tonbridge.

   1962 August, G. M. Kichenside, “Resignalling for the Kent Coast electrification—Phase II”, in Modern Railways, page 113, photo caption

   Synonyms: booking lad