What is the difference between a "railroad" and a "railway"?

Question

What is the difference between a "railroad" and a "railway"?

Answer 1

Railway- a track along which trains run. Sometimes known as railroads.  really no difference except..........some people rail against using "road" or "way" it often boils down to convention and individual preference or choice!!!

Answer 2

Here in the states, it was once common to name a company either way, which ever you liked.

So as it appears in the name of a company, there's no difference.

Answer 3

Basically the same thing.  If you'll notice though some of the small shortlines tend to use the word railway.  While the Big class 1's are even giving up the official name "railroad" for transportation company.    CSX (before mergers) was L&N railroad and B&O railroad (yes, I know there were other companies.)  Now it's CSX Transportation.

Answer 4

"Railroad" is the usual north American term while "railway" is mostly used in Britain, Australia, New Zealand etc.  I see that the "Grand Canyon Railway" is a "railway" and not a "railroad" though, so the word is used in the USA.  There is no difference.

Answer 5

Hi Mike, as far as I'm aware the only difference is the terminology caused by 3000 miles of Atlantic Ocean. In the UK they are referred to as railways & in the US they are referred to as railroads although I would love to be proved incorrect!