What's the difference between railroad and railway?

[trainboyH16-44]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrevorG

Railway is what we call it in Canada. I think they also call them Railways in the UK as well.
A Railroad is in the US. I haven’t heard them referred to as Railroads anywhere outside the US.

Trevor

Canadian Pacific RailWAY
Canadian National RailWAY
British Columbia RailWAY
Union Pacific RailROAD
Great North Eastern RailWAY
Great Northern RailROAD
See the difference?
Way=Britain and Canada
Road =US.
Trainboy
P.S. Hope not to bore you or repeat myself and everybody else.

[palallin]

trainboy:

See cuyama’s post above.

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44

QUOTE: Originally posted by TrevorG

Railway is what we call it in Canada. I think they also call them Railways in the UK as well.
A Railroad is in the US. I haven’t heard them referred to as Railroads anywhere outside the US.

Trevor

Canadian Pacific RailWAY
Canadian National RailWAY
British Columbia RailWAY
Union Pacific RailROAD
Great North Eastern RailWAY
Great Northern RailROAD
See the difference?
Way=Britain and Canada
Road =US.
Trainboy
P.S. Hope not to bore you or repeat myself and everybody else.

Ahhh, but there are exceptions:
there is the Norfolk and Western Railway
and the New York, Ontario & Western Railway
and the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway
and the Florida East Coast Railway
and the Great Northern Railway
and the Peach Bottom Railway
and the Baltimore and Delta Railway Company
and the Central of Georgia Railway
and the Spokane Portland and Seattle Railway

and probably some others

[:D][:D]
Enjoy
Paul

[tatans]

Ironrooster: there are plenty “some others” for sure.

[fishplate]

I think that “Railway” is formal, true English I suppose. And “Railroad” is American
English or just American(United States). Not all things are cut and dry, take yamms
and sweet potatos for instance, are they not the same? [%-)][%-)]

[espeefoamer]

Railway has 7 letters.
Railroad has 8[;)].

[Dayliner]

The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines the two words identically, although it notes that “railroad” is chiefly U.S. usage. “Railway” dates from 1756; “railroad” from 1775.

[Fergmiester]

I’ve been Railroaded but never Railway’d.

[Train_284]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Maureen

QUOTE: Originally posted by bnsf6733

What’s the difference between railroad and railway? Any clues?

a.) American and Briti***erminology, in that order.

b.) within American usage, a railway can sometimes imply that it covers a smaller area than a railroad.

Cheers,
Mo

Sounds exactly right from my point of view!

[Anonymous]

Wow … don’t any of you read the thread before you post?

Several examples have been given of “railway” being used in the US, yet people keep posting

… “railway is the UK”

… and “railway is Canada”

Look, even the BNSF is “railway”

Jon

[dinwitty]

How George Carlin would view it…

(heavy gruff voice)

A RAILROAD HAS BIG LOCOMOTIVES DRAGGING HEAVY LOADS OVER STEEP MOUNTAINS.

(light dainty voice)

A railway sings as it goes.

(heavy gruff voice)

A RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE POUNDS THE RAILS.

(light dainty voice)

A railway engine squeals on the curves.

(heavy gruff voice)

A RAILROAD ENGINEER HOGS THE THROTTLE.

(light dainty voice)

A railway driver is a highball artist.

(heavy gruff voice)

THE HOGGER PULLS THE WHISTLE.

(light dainty voice)

The driver rings the ting-a-ling.

(heavy gruff voice)

THE BRAKEMAN CUTS THE CARS.

(light dainty voice)

The middleman separates the line.

(heavy gruff voice)

THE HOGGER PULLS OUT THE BATTLESHIP.

(light dainty voice)

The driver takes out the teakettle.

(heavy gruff voice)

THE HOGGER PULLS THE AIR.

(light dainty voice)

The driver performs a service application.