surefootedness
nounEtymology From surefooted + -ness.
1
The state or condition of being surefooted.
- Speaking of locomotive surefootedness, I was immensely impressed, on a recent journey with the down "Ulsterman" from Euston, when "Royal Scot" 4-6-0 No. 46168, The Girl Guide, cleanly lifted a well-filled 15-coach train of 471 tons tare and 500 tons gross out of the terminus without the service of any banking engine.1953 November, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 760: