North American vs. British RR terms

N Gauger said:
Here's a link to the UP site for signals UP: Locomotive Horn Signals
Someone once told me that these are universal, so a railroad employee anywhere in the world, would know what the signals mean.... But I'm not positive that's accurate...
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'll check that site out. At least my (British) in-laws didn't understand our train signals and one of them is a huge train buff.
 
Herc Driver said:
My son is throughly confused with this one...

buffer vs bumper

...I think Thomas the Tank is responsible for messing him up on that one.
Click to expand...


Yes, "buffers" are the two disk-like objects at the front and ends of locos, rolling stock and at the ends of sidings.

Sometimes I see British locos listed on eBay, by Canadian sellers, describing the condition of the "bumpers" -- that makes me wince! ;-)

You can learn a lot by watching Thomas!

Rob
 
bumper = buffer stop.

I have a friend who prides himself on being bilingual on railway matters. he was helping at a British sales table at a show and someone asked if they had "trucks". He translated this to "bogies" and produced some; turned out the fellow wanted "lorries" (highway trucks).
I work on a glossary of terms every so often; it's a major task.

try also:
Vacuum pipe(Br) = brake pipe = air bag.
Fully fitted (Br) = brakes on all cars controlled from the locomotive = normal (NA)
loose coupled (Br) = not continuous brakes and wagons joined with chains = not over here (NA)
 
60103 said:
bumper = buffer stop.
I have a friend who prides himself on being bilingual on railway matters. he was helping at a British sales table at a show and someone asked if they had "trucks". He translated this to "bogies" and produced some; turned out the fellow wanted "lorries" (highway trucks).
I work on a glossary of terms every so often; it's a major task.
try also:
Vacuum pipe(Br) = brake pipe = air bag.
Fully fitted (Br) = brakes on all cars controlled from the locomotive = normal (NA)
loose coupled (Br) = not continuous brakes and wagons joined with chains = not over here (NA)
Click to expand...

Thanks, David -- more good terms.

I just thought of another one -- is "level crossing" British or is it used over here? I have heard it used, but usually by Brits. Is there a N. American equivalent?

Rob
 
As the well known quote goes: "America and Britain are two nations sperated by a common language". :rolleyes:
 
Ahhhh Canada, where we spend half our time telling the Americans we are not British and the other half of the time telling the British that we are not American so that we have no time to be ourselves.

Robert, great topic, its nice to see the comparisons. I had never heard a caboose called a van until I started to model. Level crossing and grade crossing seem to be interchangeable.
 
kirkendale said:
Ahhhh Canada, where we spend half our time telling the Americans we are not British and the other half of the time telling the British that we are not American so that we have no time to be ourselves.
Robert, great topic, its nice to see the comparisons. I had never heard a caboose called a van until I started to model. Level crossing and grade crossing seem to be interchangeable.
Click to expand...

Thanks, kirkendale. Good points. Yes, there are certainly lots of British and American words and traditions in our culture, as well as French and many others! Rob
 
Here's something to confuse you more:

In South Africa we call turnout/points "sets".

We mix EVERYTHING up- Example of a few: flatcar, carriage, caboose, wagon, freight train, goods train. Whatever your in the mood of saying.

When you're around American tourists you use their terminology and around British tourists their's.

AND then a third version in another language- Afrikaans (Comes from Dutch so it sounds similar).

It gets interesting!!
 
MadHatter said:
Here's something to confuse you more:

In South Africa we call turnout/points "sets".

We mix EVERYTHING up- Example of a few: flatcar, carriage, caboose, wagon, freight train, goods train. Whatever your in the mood of saying.

When you're around American tourists you use their terminology and around British tourists their's.

AND then a third version in another language- Afrikaans (Comes from Dutch so it sounds similar).

It gets interesting!!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I can relate. In Canada -- in general -- much of our words, spelling, traditions, etc. are a funny mixture of American-isms and British-isms as well. And this goes far beyond just railway terms. Then, we have our own particular words and traditions.

For example, I still don't get how Britain and America can survive without donut shops!

Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom