Railway terminology

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:39 am

As it's been very quiet around here lately I thought I'd see if a discussion could be got going over the term "train station." I have to add that this is in direct response to a letter I've just read in a railway magazine penned by one of our illustrious BRA members in the far north, who apparently doesn't like the use of the term

.

Nor do I. I hate it. As far as I am concerned, and as far as I will always be concerned, you get on a train at a "railway" station. However, are we not being a bit inconsistent?

The railway (line) is the means of getting from point A to point B, and you get on a train at a station. You don't get on a railway as such, you get on a train. Therefore the use of the term "train station" seems more appropriate.

If you go down to Marlborough Street to catch a bus somewhere, you don't catch it from the "road station," you catch it from the "bus" station, because that is the name of the form of transport you will be using. The road, like the railway, is simply the means of the bus getting from A to B.

But .....

If you go down to Lulsgate to get a plane somewhere, you don't go to the "plane port," you go to the "airport." Like railways, the means of getting from A to B defines the name of the place you use to start your journey.

So, which is right or should be right? Should there be consistency in these things? Does it matter at all anyway?

Any thoughts out there?

the green mile · Post by **the green mile** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:24 am

More often than not on a weekend, you turn up at the "railway" station only to complete all or part of your journey by "rail replacement transport". Perhaps in this day and age it should be a "public transport hub".

To me, it will always be a "railway" station.

Post by **madhattie** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:53 pm

It should always be 'railway station'. The term 'station' refers not just to a means of transport, but the buildings and platforms as well.

Marsh'Un · Post by **Marsh'Un** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 9:30 pm

"Train Station" sounds like an americanism to me, much prefer the proper version.

Re the `Airport` reference, I was in Southampton yesterday to see the visit of the 3 Cunard `Queens`.
During a boat trip around the harbour, the on-board commentary stated that the term "Airport" evolved during the golden age of the Flying Boat between the 2 world wars.
Prior to this, air travel took place at `Aerodromes`

AndyK · Post by **AndyK** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:15 pm

"Train Station" certainly sounds wrong to me, but I think its advance is inexorable and resistance is pretty much futile.

This was brought home to me a few years ago when I remarked to a younger work colleague that people didn't seem to say Railway Station so much these days. "Yes", he responded, "and they don't often say Phonograph or Horseless Carriage either."

the green mile · Post by **the green mile** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:18 pm

....and while we are on the subject of diverse names, where do traction and rolling stock go at the end of their diagrams?

Is it a yard, depot, shed, siding. TMD, T&RSMD, MPD, fuelling point or stabling point?

My great uncle Frank worked at Filton "Aerodrome". It was always referred to as such in my family. (He used to commute from Stapleton Road to North Filton Platform on the BAC workers' train which ran once a day in each direction circa early 70's). Filton Airfield or Airport just doesn't roll off the tongue very cleanly to me.

In certain circles at Bath Road, the new HST depot at SPM was referred to affectionately as the "Happydrome" but sadly this name has fallen into disuse. Can anyone think of an appropriate name for the new IEP depot at Filton?

In a little over 12 hours, I start my training as a volunteer signalman on the West Somerset Railway. I have spent all evening browsing the signalling handbook. This is terminology with a capital T!

nickt · Post by **nickt** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:38 pm

On the subject of terminology, Station Stop gets me. The next station stop is.... What did the guard used to say before this.

Robin Summerhill · Post by **Robin Summerhill** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:31 am

the green mile wrote:.
In certain circles at Bath Road, the new HST depot at SPM was referred to affectionately as the "Happydrome" but sadly this name has fallen into disuse. Can anyone think of an appropriate name for the new IEP depot at Filton?

If he's still with us, I suggest you ask Terry Henly. I think he coined the name in question

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:24 pm

On the subject of depots, South West Trains' Desiro fleet is maintained at "Northam Traincare Facility". Somewhat pretentious, methinks.

jules · Post by **jules** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:08 pm

"Train Station" sounds like an americanism to me, much prefer the proper version.

No siree! In America, all but the biggest are usually called "depots" - pronounced "D-po". What we would call a depot, Americans call a "yard". So, the full American name is a "railroad depot", unless it is a really big one, when sometimes the name station is used, particularly as in "Union Station" etc.

While we are on this subject, I'll tell you the one that irritates me most: into. I hate the use of that word on trains - how can a train arrive "into" Bristol. It can't - it can only arrive "at" Bristol - and yet virtually ALL on-train staff in public announcements now use this abomination of bad English. Not on my trains they didn't - best way to find themselves out of a door at 100mph was to say the "i" word when approaching a station!

Here's another one, from when I used to run the pub. About 2002, I started to notice people saying "Can I get a Fosters?" I used to say "Yes, of course you can. I get mine from Avonmouth" ...

They always looked rather perplexed until a regular explained that Jules only responds to "may I have" or "can I have" ... alas, so endemic now, I've given up the fight against both these examples of moronic, useless speech

jules · Post by **jules** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:11 pm

In certain circles at Bath Road, the new HST depot at SPM was referred to affectionately as the "Happydrome"

I wouldn't say it was a particularly affectionate term. I always thought it was because it was always so damn miserable in there ...

While we're on strange names for railway facilities, does anyone know how the building at Westbury came to be known as the "Elephant House"?

jules · Post by **jules** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:19 pm

In a little over 12 hours, I start my training as a volunteer signalman on the West Somerset Railway.

How was your first shift? A bit wet and windy I am guessing

the green mile · Post by **the green mile** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:55 pm

Just got home! Extremely wet and windy most of the day but all the trains ran albeit with a class 33 replacing that awful looking home grown mogul hybrid which failed.

Training extremely intense but slowly getting my head around some of the terminology. Managed not to wreck any of the trains. Early night tonight because I have the Rule Book to start going through - just a little light bedtime reading you understand. Less than half the thickness of the Network Rail one but then the print is a lot smaller. Ho Hum!

jules · Post by **jules** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 12:03 am

Ah good. Class 33. All extra funds for the D&EPG! Glad you enjoyed Crowcombe. Catch you there sometime. With a bit of luck we will be through with D1010 next few days.

Ian L Jamieson · Post by **Ian L Jamieson** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:45 pm

jules wrote:
Here's another one, from when I used to run the pub. About 2002, I started to notice people saying "Can I get a Fosters?" I used to say "Yes, of course you can. I get mine from Avonmouth" ... They always looked rather perplexed until a regular explained that Jules only responds to "may I have" or "can I have" ... alas, so endemic now, I've given up the fight against both these examples of moronic, useless speech
Oh!, absolutely. I come very close to punching anyone I hear saying that sort of thing. I was always taught [Merrywood Boys] that one should avoid using the word 'get' if at all possible.

I feel rather responsible for this thread because RS started it following my letter to the Railway Magazine recently. My pedantry always lands me in hot water!