Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Silly question

939 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Redding, California
  • 1,428 posts
Posted by Train 284 on Saturday, June 4, 2005 9:11 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

Bruce;

The term pre-dates railroads, old toll roads were called pikes (as in turnpike), then the term was applied to early railroads.........


Could'nt have said it better myself.
Matt Cool Espee Forever! Modeling the Modoc Northern Railroad in HO scale Brakeman/Conductor/Fireman on the Yreka Western Railroad Member of Rouge Valley Model RR Club
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by davekelly on Saturday, June 4, 2005 8:11 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian

And you drive on the parkway and park in the drive way. Makes perfect sense.


Makes me wonder also why when things are sent via a road vehicle it is a shipment and when something is sent via a floating vehicle it is cargo. Gotta love the English language!
If you ain't having fun, you're not doing it right and if you are having fun, don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Pacific NW
  • 733 posts
Posted by JohnT14808 on Friday, June 3, 2005 9:19 PM
I always thought the word "pike" was prefaced with "wall-eyed"......and I've caught a few.....
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Friday, June 3, 2005 7:40 PM
If you have ever driven on the Sawmill River Parkway, or the Taconic Parkway in Westchester / Putman Counties just north of NY City, you will know that the term Parkway is very accurate. Beautiful dramatic woodland and rocky scenery in a narrow strip with development all out of sight but just behind the trees. During the AM rush hour the other definition of park is very accurate also.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 5,134 posts
Posted by ericsp on Friday, June 3, 2005 7:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Virginian

And you drive on the parkway and park in the drive way. Makes perfect sense.

Actually it might. The park in parkway is probably from when the major street through town had grass, trees, and benches (a miniture park) in the median (see "Its a Wounderful Life" for an example). Therefore the park is probably has nothing to do with parking a car.

My guess is that driveway originated from houses out in rural areas that were set back considerably from the road, therefore one would drive on the driveway to get to the house.

"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Ohio
  • 1,615 posts
Posted by Virginian on Friday, June 3, 2005 1:09 PM
And you drive on the parkway and park in the drive way. Makes perfect sense.
What could have happened.... did.
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, June 3, 2005 10:23 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

A pike being a long pole to block the road at the point of the toll collection. You "turn" the pike once the toll is paid to access the road.


Interesting.[:)]

Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Friday, June 3, 2005 9:45 AM
A pike being a long pole to block the road at the point of the toll collection. You "turn" the pike once the toll is paid to access the road.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Friday, June 3, 2005 9:40 AM
Bruce;

The term pre-dates railroads, old toll roads were called pikes (as in turnpike), then the term was applied to early railroads.........
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Winnipeg Canada
  • 1,637 posts
Silly question
Posted by Blind Bruce on Friday, June 3, 2005 9:23 AM
Why is a model railroad called a "pike"?
BB

73

Bruce in the Peg

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!