BOOMER—a railroad worker who moves from place to place without sticking very long at any one job. There are still a few boomers, but in the old days there were thousands.
BUCKLE THE BALONIES—this means fasten together the air brake hoses which run underneath all the cars.
CHASE THE RED—this is what the flagman says he does when he goes back with a red flag or lantern to protect a stalled train.
CRACKER BOX—a Diesel streamliner. Glowworm means the same thing.
CRADLE—a gondola or hopper car.
DOODLEBUG—a little railroad motor car that the section crew uses.
DOPE—the oily waste that is packed in journal boxes.
GARDEN—a freight yard.
GIVE HER THE GRIT—squirt sand onto a slippery track.