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A "highball" in railroading is a signal indicating that a train can proceed at full speed. This term originated from an early type of signal where a large ball was hoisted on a pole to show the engineman that the track ahead was clear. This is distinct from a "ball signal," which is an object hoisted to the top of a pole to indicate a clear track. The term "highball" can also refer to an iced drink containing liquor and a carbonated beverage.123

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