platelayingn.
/ˈpleɪtˌleɪɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈpleɪtˌleɪɪŋ/ The action of laying plates (plate n. 20) for a tramway or railway; (now) spec. the laying of rails for a railway.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > making or working railroads > [noun] > specific processes
platelaying1849
grading1880
1849 Times 15 Mar. 6/6 Some men were standing with plate-laying tools..about to pull up the rails leading to the East Lancashire platform.
1854 Times 8 Sept. 4/1 (advt.) Two persons, thoroughly and practically acquainted with plate-laying, and who can act as inspectors.
1862 Rep. Directors East India Railway Company 27 Progress..limited by the supply of sleepers, the want of which has since arrested platelaying.
1874 A. Helps Life & Labours Mr. Brassey 83 The Frenchman acquired the art of plate-laying, and he does it now exceedingly well.
1915 Geogr. Jrnl. 46 157 The Western Australian Division Survey is complete, and the route has been permanently located to 280 miles. Thence to the border the permanent survey will proceed in advance of plate-laying.
1982 E. P. Morgan in G. M. Carter & P. O'Meara Southern Afr. (ed. 2) viii. 229 Batswana are being trained in such nontechnical areas as shunting, checking, platelaying, and clerking.
2001 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 20 July 29 He..returned to the mines where he was involved in platelaying, timbering, pipe-fitting and underground maintenance.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1849