Car puller (10) - Crossword Clue
Answer: LOCOMOTIVE
Understanding the Crossword Clue: Car Puller
- A locomotive is the perfect answer to "car puller" because it literally pulls railroad cars along tracks.
- This powerful engine serves as the driving force of trains, hauling freight cars, passenger cars, and other rolling stock across rail networks worldwide.
- The clue uses "car" in the railway context, where individual train units are called cars.
- A locomotive doesn't carry passengers or cargo itself—its sole purpose is to pull (or sometimes push) these cars from one destination to another.
Why LOCOMOTIVE Fits This Clue
- Locomotives have been the backbone of rail transportation since the early 19th century.
- Modern locomotives use diesel-electric or pure electric power systems to generate enormous pulling force, technically called "tractive effort."
- Whether it's a freight locomotive pulling 100+ cargo cars across continents or a passenger locomotive hauling commuter trains, the core function remains the same: pulling cars.
- The ten-letter answer LOCOMOTIVE perfectly captures this mechanical workhorse that revolutionized transportation and commerce globally.
Tips for Solving Similar Transportation Clues
- Context matters: "Car" in crosswords can mean automobile, railroad car, or even cable car depending on the puzzle theme
- Letter count is crucial: At 10 letters, LOCOMOTIVE eliminates shorter alternatives like "engine" (6) or "train" (5)
- Look for action words: "Puller" suggests something that tows or hauls, narrowing your options significantly
- Consider railway terminology: Crosswords often use technical terms from specialized fields
- Check crossing answers: Verify that L-O-C-O-M-O-T-I-V-E works with intersecting clues
Car puller (10) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Could "car puller" refer to a tow truck instead?
A: While tow trucks do pull cars, they don't fit the 10-letter requirement. LOCOMOTIVE is the intended answer for this specific clue length.
Q: Are there other 10-letter words that mean car puller?
A: LOCOMOTIVE is the most common answer. Alternatives are rare and typically wouldn't work with standard crossword crossing patterns.
Q: What's the difference between a locomotive and an engine?
A: These terms are often used interchangeably, but "locomotive" specifically refers to the self-propelled railway vehicle, while "engine" is more generic and could refer to any power source.
Q: Do all trains have locomotives?
A: Most traditional trains do, but modern light rail and some passenger trains use multiple units (EMUs or DMUs) where each car has its own motor rather than relying on a separate locomotive.
