P6. U.S.to ride a rail: to travel in a coach in which a broken spring has been replaced by a rail. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1836 T. PowerImpressions of Amer. I. 180 Here I enjoyed my first lesson in..riding a rail;..The term is derived from a fence-rail being occasionally used to supply the place of a broken thoroughbrace, by which all these stages are hung.