Question from Downunder

[jeremygharrison]

Back in the 1970s (or was it '60s) British Rail bought (and heavily adapted) SP's TOPS systems.
One result of its American origins was that the code for a goods train brake van was CA (from Caboose).

A correction for CBQ_guy: the number 0 in the UK is nought or zero, normally pronounced 'O' (oh - like the letter): never cipher (or cypher) in normal use.

Some other differences across the Atlantic:

US car - UK wagon or truck (for goods) or carriage or coach (for passengers) (except on the London Underground where they're cars)

US express - UK parcels (type of traffic)
UK express - US limited (train)

UK locomotive or train driver - US engineer

US box car - UK van

US gondola - UK open wagon - which will called a mineral wagon if only used for such

US 'back shop' (or shops) - UK works

US approach signal (?) - UK distant signal
US approach signal aspect - UK caution

US markers - UK head and tail lamps

US switch - UK point

In the US 'pilot' is part of a loco, what I would call a cowcatcher.
In the UK it will be a loco, either as an assisting (normally leading - but some railways put it behind) the train engine; or a as a (passenger) station pilot - for shunting (or switching)

Differences in the whole approach to operating the railway (as it always is in the UK) or railroad (normal in the US) mean that all sorts of operating terms are different, or don't exist the other side of the pond. (But across the water from England is Ireland)

And there are many terms which have specific technical meanings that differ. Something I always wonder is what a US rules expert would make of a Festiniog Railway gravity train (has no locomotive!)

As someone said, America and England are two countries seperated by a common language!

Jeremy

[dehusman]

The WC used UP's computer system, TCS, and was implementing it on the EWS (the WC's British subsidiary). All sorts of things, cars with no initials, more than 6 digits in the number, converting to metric, plus the language differences.

Dave H.

[espeefoamer]

UK tram=US streetcar,now light rail vehicle
On the British Columbia Railway the front of the loco is marked as LF and RF. (left front & right front).
I just learned BC Rail was bought by CN. RIP,BC Rail.

[joseph2]

And congragulations for building the new rail line from Alice Springs to Darwin. Joe G.

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by oubliette

In the UK, Depot refers to a building where loco's or rolling stock are maintained and a station is where passenger trains start and stop at. The differences between the countries are only slight and in general most things are standard. I work on the GM built JT42CWR (known here as class 66) and the only real difference is I find is that what you call Trucks are referred to here as bogies and that the number one end of a loco here is always the cooler group end whereby on the class 66 its the opposite end (not sure if that applies to GM loco's in the US.)

I have to say though I am a big fan on the US rail scene, its a pity its so far away. Last went round the Alstom Facility in Calgary and hope to get to Chicago this year.

Cheers

Rory (UK)

Rory,

Greetings from a former "sout' side" Chicagoan, now about 90 miles southwest of there in Illinois corn and soybean country (BIG change!)...

Some other differences in RR & related terms between the U.S. and U.K. of which I'm aware:

UK - sleepers, US - ties

UK - shunter, US - switcher

UK - windscreen, US - windshield

UK - zed, US - zee (as in the letter "Z")

UK - cypher, US - zero (as in the number "0")

UK - torch, US - flashlight

Not sure on the following, but what I "think" the UK calls trams, the US calls coaches?

What other railroad term differences between us and out overseas cousins? And please, if I'm incorrect on any of the above, please "straighten me out"!

Take care,

[dehusman]

In the US the front is where the letter "F" is on the frame. Required by US Federal law.

Dave H.

[oubliette]

In the UK, Depot refers to a building where loco's or rolling stock are maintained and a station is where passenger trains start and stop at. The differences between the countries are only slight and in general most things are standard. I work on the GM built JT42CWR (known here as class 66) and the only real difference is I find is that what you call Trucks are referred to here as bogies and that the number one end of a loco here is always the cooler group end whereby on the class 66 its the opposite end (not sure if that applies to GM loco's in the US.)

I have to say though I am a big fan on the US rail scene, its a pity its so far away. Last went round the Alstom Facility in Calgary and hope to get to Chicago this year.

Cheers

Rory (UK)

[Kozzie]

Thanks everyone for your help with my question.

I think fiverings and jeffhergert have summed it up?

Zardoz, I've never heard of the Northern Hemisphere referred to as "up over" but I stand corrected from anyone else from "downunder" that reads this forum has more info.

Csshegewisch, I'll give your questions my best shot ,and ask other folk if I'm stumped.

Cheers

Kozzie
Brisbane Australia

[dehusman]

A station defined in the rule books of the railroad, such as : "A place designated on the timetable by name."
A depot is the building at a station. It can be virually any size and handle freight, passengers or both.

Dave H.

[northwesterner]

Kozzie:

I agree with fiverings and tree68. My dictionary defines a station as a (1) : a regular stopping place in a transportation route (2) : the building connected with such a stopping place : DEPOT. In Chicago, there are "stations" such as Clybourn on the Metra UP Line that consists solely of a windbreak and some stands for bicycles. If there were an actual building, you could call it a station or a depot. Hope this helps.

[tree68]

Per my Dictionary: (some unrelated definitions ignored)

Station: 2. The place, building, or establishment from which a service is provided or operations are directed a police station. 3. A stopping place along a route, esp a stop for refueling or taking on passengers; depot

Depot: 1. A railroad or bus station.

Circular Definitions...[%-)]

[jeffhergert]

To me, when I think of a depot, I think of a small town railroad station.

[zardoz]

Kozzie-

I've always wondered...do folks on your continent refer to us in the northern hemisphere as "up-over"?[:D]

[Anonymous]

Kozzie--

Up here the terms "station" and "depot" are not entirely interchangable. "Depot" always means some sort of a structure, whether for freight or for passengers, or for both. "Station" can mean a structure, or simply a designated point on a line of railroad.

--John

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

As an American with an interest in Australian railroading, watch out for questions from me about railroading over there.

[cherokee woman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 440cuin

ps; i hate keyboards.

[}:)]Don't hate the keyboard: just get a ghosttyper to type for you[:D]

[TH&B]

ps; i hate keyboards.

[TH&B]

depor = station

[Anonymous]

Passenger stations are also referred to as "Depot"

[Kozzie]

I have recently started modelling US in HO, and come across the term 'depot'. Is that applied to stations that only handle freight or maybe passengers and freight?

Kozzie
Brisbane, Australia