Tom from the Shore's definitions

High angle primers

Field artillery slang. High angle primers are a nonexistent item that is used to trick rookies. Often used to send unsuspecting rookies on a wild goose chase.(Regular artillery primers work at low and high angles, so there is no high-angle version of them).

"Go down to the motor pool and ask Sergeant Williams for some high angle primers."

by Tom from the Shore November 19, 2007

Bucket of Muzzle Blast

Among artillerymen, a nonexistent item used to trick rookies. It is commonly used to send rookies on a wild goose chase. (Muzzle blast is the burst of smoke and fire that erupts from the muzzle when a shell is fired.)

"Private, go to the supply sergeant and see if he can find you a bucket of muzzle blast."

by Tom from the Shore November 19, 2007

Sky hook

Among soldiers in the 1970s, there was no such thing as a sky hook. It was a fictional item used to send rookies on a wild goose chase.

"Private, go over to Charlie Battery and ask them if they can lend yo ua sky hook."

by Tom from the Shore November 19, 2007

Lionel

A term often used to refer to a toy or model train. Lionel is a company that has been making electric trains for over 100 years. Its name has become synonymous with model trains in America. Lionel is often used as a catch-all term for electric trains, whether they are Lionel brand or not. Most of the time, the term refers to the three-rail "O" and "O27" gauge trains. However, it can refer to any model train.

Every holiday season, John has a Lionel running under the Yule tree.

My grandfather used to have Lionels.

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

Electric Train

1) A toy or model train that is powered by electricity. The most common examples are Lionel type trains and the H.O. trains sold in hobby shops

2) Any real train that is powered by electricity. Power may come from overhead wires, known as a 'catenary system', or through a power "third rail" that runs alongside the regular tracks.

1) Joe went to the hobby shop and bought a set of electric train for the kids.

Lionel makes great electric trains.

2) Electric trains run on the Montclair Line on New Jersey Transit.

The GG1 Locomotive is an example of a powerful electric train

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

O27

An older type of toy electric train, so named beccause it was meant to travers a 27 inch diameter curve. Usually sold as a cheaper version of O Gauge, a common train typified by makers such as Lionel. O27 was made by Ives, Lionel, Marx and K-Line. It is still made by Lionel.

O27 has the same gauge (distance bwteen outer rails) as regular O Gauge trains. This distance is 1 and 1/4 inches.

I have one of those Marx O27 sets.

The O27 is not as fancy as O Gauge, but it is a lot of fun!

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007

O Gauge

A size of toy or model electric train. O is the size, and gauge refers to the distance between the outer rails. The gauge of the O train is 1 and 1/4 inches. The most prolific maker was Lionel. O gauge also refers to the basic curve of Lionel trains, that being 31 inches in diameter.

We have an O gauge model railway in the basement.

Lionel makes O Gauge, which is larger than H.O.

by Tom from the Shore December 12, 2007