locomotive
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locomotive
A rail vehicle with its own engine that is used to pull a train. It is often referred to briefly as 'Lok' (locomotive).
Die alte Dampflokomotive steht heute im Museum.
The old steam locomotive is now in a museum.
In everyday life and spoken language, 'Lokomotive' (locomotive) is very often shortened to 'Lok' (loco/locomotive). This short form is widespread and understood by everyone.
Die Kinder schauten fasziniert zu, wie die Lok in den Bahnhof einfuhr.
The children watched in fascination as the locomotive entered the station.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If it is about the economy, growth, or projects, 'Lokomotive' (locomotive) means the driving force. If it is about trains and tracks, the vehicle is meant.
Der Tourismus ist die wirtschaftliche Lokomotive der gesamten Region.
Tourism is the economic driving force of the entire region.
Depending on the type of drive, people speak of a 'Dampflokomotive' (steam locomotive), 'Diesellokomotive' (diesel locomotive), or 'Elektrolokomotive' (electric locomotive; short: E-Lok).
Die alte Diesellokomotive wird bald durch ein moderneres Modell ersetzt.
The old diesel locomotive will soon be replaced by a more modern model.
In the figurative meaning, the phrasing 'als Lokomotive für etwas dienen' (to serve as a driving force for something) or 'als Lokomotive fungieren' (to function as a driving force) is often used.
Das neue Technologiezentrum soll als Lokomotive für die lokale Wirtschaft fungieren.
The new technology center is intended to function as a driving force for the local economy.
train / move / draft
'der Zug' and 'die Lokomotive' both belong to rail transport. But they are not the same thing. 'der Zug' means the whole vehicle or the whole unit, often with a locomotive and several cars. 'die Lokomotive' is only the part with the engine that pulls the train. You can confuse the words because in everyday life you often see the whole train, and the locomotive at the front stands out especially. If you are talking about the journey or the means of transport, 'Zug' is correct. If you specifically mean the front part that pulls the train, 'Lokomotive' fits.
Die alte Lokomotive zieht die Wagen langsam aus dem Bahnhof.
The old locomotive slowly pulls the cars out of the station.
Der Zug nach Hamburg fährt heute von Gleis fünf ab.
The train to Hamburg leaves from platform five today.