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Why is "Ry" the abbreviation for "Railroad?"

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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:44 PM

We have a Railway Avenue close by.  It is flat and completely straight.  We have no Railroads or Railways in town, and we never had.  Did someone dream of one and actually go so far as to build a preliminary right of way in hopes of attracting one?

We do have a restaurant that was originally railroad-themed and has a locomotive and two dining cars.  The cars and engine must have been trucked in.  The restaurant is now a breakfast place.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:38 PM

I've seen Rwy for Railway numerous times.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:34 PM

Welcome to the Model Railroader magazine discussion forums. We are very glad that you have found us. Your first few posts will be delayed by the Kalmbach Media moderators, but that ends soon enough, usually after just a few posts. Please stick around through the delay and become a permanent part of the discussions.

Lord Graystoke
Sorry, newbie question here - I searched all over the internet and couldn't find the answer to this question - why is Ry used for Railroad?

I cannot think of an example off of the top of my head, but there were some railroads that started out as XYZ Railway, but later changed their identity to XYZ Railroad.

The abbreviation "RY" would continue to be seen for a while after they had become known as a Railroad "RR".

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:07 PM

Railway staff found that the use of Ry or Rly   is simply easy to write  instead of Railway.   Just as Co.  is easier than Company.

 

X,Y & Z Rly Co  is easier than   X,Y & Z Railway Company.

 

Simple.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

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Posted by azrail on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 10:46 AM

It used to be that "railway" meant that there were ties to Britain..such as financing or ownership. In Canada they are all called railways, thanks to British ties, and in the case of CNR-Ownership by the British Crown (a crown corporation)

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Posted by ricktrains4824 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 9:16 AM

It gets fun when some are Railroad's (RR) while other companies use Railway (RY) as the end.

Even more fun is when you know the history of certain lines, and they changed from Railway to Railroad, depending on the era. 

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

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Posted by Steven Otte on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 9:06 AM

It's not. RR is the abbreviation for railroad. Ry. is short for Railway.

--
Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editor
sotte@kalmbach.com

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Why is "Ry" the abbreviation for "Railroad?"
Posted by Lord Graystoke on Monday, December 5, 2022 6:39 PM

Sorry, newbie question here - I searched all over the internet and couldn't find the answer to this question - why is Ry used for Railroad?

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