Railway or Railroad, what is the difference between the two names? I always call them railroads, it looks like a road when you are standing in the middle of them and they appear to go on for ever in some areas. I do love photographing them and watching trains go by when I can.

But,  railroad is a permanent road consisting of fixed metal rails to drive trains or similar motorized vehicles on while railway is a track, consisting of parallel rails, over which wheeled vehicles may travel.

Does that statement make sense, not to me it didn’t when I first read it. So I investigated some more.

What is the difference between Railway and Railroad Then?

• Meaning:

• The meaning of both railway and railroad is the same. They both refer to the track on which a train runs.

• Usage:

• In most of the English speaking countries including UK and even Canada, the word that is used to refer to a system of trains running on rails made of iron is railways.

• On the other hand, railroad is the term that is used in the US for trains running on rails.

• Interestingly, railway is the word that is reserved for trams or streetcars in the US.

• Practice:

• Often companies change their names from railroad to railways and vice versa when there are mergers or takeovers to distinguish themselves from earlier companies.

Both railway and railroad refer to the train track. However, US uses railway for tram tracks while using railroad to train tracks.

Just some fun facts today 🙂

Railway or Railroad

by Sandra J