Great Western Coffee Shop

Have you notices that the live update reports on the FGW site have moved from describing trains lengths in "coaches" rather than "carriages".  ... there's a lot of trains short of coaches this week, when last week they would have been short of carriages  ???

A little thing - just an update of language, or something more?

Do YOU think "coaches", "cars" or "carriages"?

Well, since passengers became customers, guards became train managers, and buses became a form of rapid transit, anything is possible!  ;D After all they have to employ these expensive consultants for something.... they're probably scratching their heads trying to work out a new improved 21st century name for trains.....

The DfT have already redisignated "diesel trains" as "self powered vehicles" (eg, in IEP documents)

That's so they can be fuelled by hydrogen.

Or Biofuel

Don't forget "Revenue Protection Officers" (or, in English, "Inspectors").

"Chief Operating Officer" = "Chairman" / "MD"

As for coaches/ carriages, I use both. Cars not very often.

Just to confuse teh issue even further DafT have used vehicles. As in 1300 new vehicles.

It's all confusing

Reservations show as Coach.
Train labels say Carriage.

No consistency at all.

Meanwhile...on LUL or whatever it's called this week.  Cars.... a legacy of Mr Yerkes I believe.

I've seen a Bristol Temple Meads derparture boards say "Train formed of 8 Carriages Today" for an XC service to Plymouth.

But then seen a service at the same station on the departure board "Train formed of 3 Coaches Today"

I think they just use whatever term depnding on what mood the person is in...

Railway terms "Car" is a Sub division of Coach (see below) as in Baggage Car, Buffet Car, Day Car, Kitchen Car, Pullman Car, Restuarant Car, Sleeping Car, etc. Any more?

Note the term Power Car is not correct! Or wasn't until DMU's arrived, however it's now in common use as a NEW word.

Coach refers to the Vehicles of a train such as carriages or vans (excluding the Locomotive).
Twenty years ago passenger trains often conveyed Non passenger stock such as parcel vans, even postal vans.

Carriage refers to a passenger carrying coach.

So these days, the term 3 coaches or 3 carriages are both correct!

In days past a 10 coach train may have had typically 8 or 9 passenger carriages.

I surpose the best Modern day example is when FGW run 9+2 HST's to Newquay on Summer Saturday with one coach used for luggage it would be correct to say the Train is formed of 9 coaches with 8 (passenger) carriages but that would only confused the public :)

well in the trade they are known as VEHICLES

Subliminal advertising, a coach (carriage) in the week, a coach (bus) at weekends!   :o