spike driver
Track fastener wielder
A spike driver is a worker who hammers railroad spikes into ties to secure the rails—one of the most grueling jobs in 19th-century rail construction.
The term is closely associated with the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man who raced against a steam drill.
A spike driver may also refer to the heavy hammer used for the work.
- hammerTool for striking nails
- railroadPermanent track for trains
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- John HenryLegendary steel-driving laborer
- big manPerson of authority
tall tale · track · cross ties · ballad · maul · sledgehammer · rails · folk song · labor · sweat · muscle · ties · iron · rhythm · pounding · gandy dancer · work crew · chain gang
- rail workerslocomotive engineer, train conductor, rail conductor, train engineer, fireman
- track toolsclaw bar, tamper, undercutter, motorcar, speeder
- track workerstrackman, gandy dancer, roadmaster, maintenance crew
- railroadstrains, train, tracks, track, locomotive
- railway partsrail, rails, track, tracks, wheel