stationary engine

plural stationary engines

1. An engine that remains in a fixed position, and is not part of a moving object.

   The Cromford & High Peak was one of Britain's oldest railways, giving access to the stone quarries of the Peak District. It was very much 'of its time'. Stationary engines hauled wagons up and down inclines, and trains on the more level bits in between were pulled by horses.

   2023 January 11, Richard Foster, “British Rail's weirdest railways...: Cromford & High Peak”, in RAIL, number 974, page 48

   1 more example

   To get the best conditions for locomotives he proposed to make a continuous grade of 1 in 30 on the straight between Erkrath and Hochdahl, 2.78 km. (1¾ miles) and employ a stationary engine there. [...] The stationary engine was duly installed, at considerable cost, but not used for long.

   1942 March, “Notes and News: Main-Line Cable Haulage in Germany”, in Railway Magazine, page 88