uk.railway FAQ |
Like most things, the Americans often have different names for the same bit of railway 'technology'. This page lists the British 'bit', and its American counterpart.
British |
American |
| Engine driver | Engineer |
| Guard | Conductor |
| Brake van | Caboose |
| Point | Switch |
| Sleeper | Tie |
| Cant | Elevation |
| Signal Box | Tower |
| Shunting | Switching |
| Carriage | Coach |
| Controller | Dispatcher |
| Van/Covered van | Box car |
| Booking | Reservation |
| Cattle wagon | Stock car |
| Cross | Meet |
| Gradient | Grade |
| Length man | Track man |
| Overhead Railway | Elevated Railway |
| Open wagon | Gondola car |
| Platelayer | Track layer |
| Return ticket | Round trip ticket |
| Sole plate | Tie plate |
| On time | Morning or afternoon |
| Guard's van | Combine/Baggage car |
| Luggage | Baggage |
| Loop | Passing siding |
| Incident | Cornfield meet/Wreck/Pile-up |
| Footplate | Cab |
| Livery | Color Scheme |
| Loading Gauge | Clearance (Maximum allowable car size in outline). |
| Pullman | Parlor or Club Car |
| Restaurant Car | Diner |
| Rake | Consist |
| Triangle | Wye |