I spend some of my time in France, where I am happy to say there is an active bluegrass and traditional country scene. I am sometimes called upon to decipher lyrics for my francophone friends, and a buddy has just e-mailed me to ask about a few lyrics in the Roy Acuff classic Wabash Cannonball. The song says "she's a regular combination", which I always took to be a bit of railroadese (argot ferroviaire). But what does it actually mean? Combination passengers and mail? Requiring two locomotives? Anyone know?

Roy also says that "no changes can be taken", which I gather meant that the Cannonball was the TGV of its day, with no stops to change trains.

Thanks for all information.