Railroad vs Railway - Discussion

Railway is the term used in the UK and the commonwealth which includes Canada. Railroad is used in the US and, due to proximity and the transnational rail network, sometimes in Canada.

Jay in Ottawa

Of course, then there was the Western Maryland Railway.  Often after going through a reorganization , railroads which change this term back & forth

The term "way" has a strong 19th century flavor......"way cars" (cabooses on the C&NW and CB&Q), "way" bills, right o' "way". "Railway" probably has the same origins in now, long-lost 19th century practice.

Jay Ottawa posted:

Railway is the term used in the UK and the commonwealth which includes Canada. Railroad is used in the US and, due to proximity and the transnational rail network, sometimes in Canada.

"Railway" is also used in the US, so this statement is misleading. There were plenty of railways in the US, including the ATSF, the Southern, Norfolk & Western, Chicago Great Western, the Great Northern, and many others.

I agree it was probably more popular in the 19th century.

I think ATSF went with "Railway" after a reorganization.

While involved in G-gauge I became interested in the Uintah Railway, a narrow gauge railroad founded in 1904 that operated in some of Colorado and Utah.

Since getting back into O-gauge I finally chose L&N (my Loop & Nowhere). Doing research I have taken a real interest in the NC&StL Railway that L&N consolidated into their system. It is steeped in history all the way back to the Civil War. They took the "Railway" title back in the 19th Century.

Those two "Railways" got me wondering if there was a difference between a Railway and a Railroad.

Nothing other than a different name. They mean the same thing; and as noted, sometimes companies would change from one to the other for reorganization purposes.

There are many railroads, and many railways, but only two that are a Rail Road.  Can you name them? Hint: they are both children of the PRR.

The Long Island is one. Strasburg is another.

Correct.

One would be the Long Island Rail Road...

Often in the 19th century when railroads would go under they would re-emerge with the same name but Railway afterwards instead of Railroad..

What about the Indiana Rail Road?

smd4 posted:

Jay Ottawa posted:

Railway is the term used in the UK and the commonwealth which includes Canada. Railroad is used in the US and, due to proximity and the transnational rail network, sometimes in Canada.

"Railway" is also used in the US, so this statement is misleading. There were plenty of railways in the US, including the ATSF, the Southern, Norfolk & Western, Chicago Great Western, the Great Northern, and many others.

I agree it was probably more popular in the 19th century.

Railway sounds classier...

The Sierra apparently uses both connotations.  Railway for the tourist operation.  Railroad for the common carrier operation.

Rusty

During it's history, the N&W has been both Railroad and Railway. In the case of the N&W, it was used as a differentiation of eras.

In Japan the word railway is used in the governing legislation.    When searching in Google (with Google Translate) I find the Japanese use train for models and railway for prototypes.

Rusty Traque posted:

Railway sounds classier...

Agree completely!

Seaboard Air Line also started out as Railway and changed to Railroad, I think after they came out of receivership:

Yes, quite often the change from "railroad" to "railway" (or vice versa) would come about due to a bankruptcy reorganization or similar corporate restructuring. The AB&C Railroad files for bankruptcy, and is reorganized as the AB&C Railway.

The word "way" comes from the Latin word "via", meaning "road". Think of the Via Appia outside Rome, meaning Appian Way or Appian Road. In fact, "show me the way" really means "show me the road to take." Therefore, railway and railroad are derivationally identical. 

If you're really a train nut, don't forget the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely Nevada.  A 30-mile line with much old diesel and steam equipment.  You can run steam or diesel if you wish.  I stopped there a few years ago and found the staff pleasant and willing to show me around.  Their shed has operable RS3s, Baldwin diesels, and more.  They just finished rebuilding an RS3's diesel engine and are working on another Baldwin steamer.  Go to www.nnry.com