Great Western Coffee Shop

The recent thread about the Southend Pier Tramway made me wonder if there is a definition of the difference between a tram and a train. In this case, we have a "tramway" with "trains" running on it.

We – or at least I – tend to think of a tram as a vehicle running mostly in an urban environment, often on non-segregated tracks, ie shared with road traffic. Trams tend to be narrower, shorter and slower than trains but I'm not aware of any specific boundary points for these dimensions. In my observation, their component coaches are non-disconnectable, but that's only my observation and inference. Is there in fact an accepted distinction between trams and trains or is it just "usage"?

Rightly or otherwise, I always thought a tramway was a route where the majority of the track was embedded in a roadway suitable for other vehicles. The 'majority' is needed as trains have level crossings etc, and trams have dedicated track sections that aren't paved. Some funiculars are called tramsways (I think, such as Gt Orme), that situation does seems to be outside my definition!

An interesting academic exercise in trying to define it I suppose!

However, the original tramways were to all intents and purposes railways, built to take such things as coal or stone to a transhipment point, usually for onward water-borne transport. These would not have been embedded in roads and certainly not tarmac ones, because tarmac had yet to be invented.

Tram is thought to derive from a word which originally meant a beam of wood (and in some Germanic languages still does, as well as rungs of a ladder), which of course 'rails' were made of initially.

There is also the historic use of Dramway as found, for example, near Bristol running from Coalpit Heath to the river Avon and also near Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire.  The term seems to be another name for early Wagonways. Wikipedia describes them as: Wagonways (or Waggonways) consisted of the horses, equipment and tracks used for hauling wagons, which preceded steam-powered railways. The terms plateway, tramway and dramway were used.

Wikipedia gives it as Middle Flemish:

It also says that, confusingly, Americans use the word tram to refer to a rubber-tired trackless train.

However, I was really more interested in present day definitions and usage than etymology.

Then of course there are Tram - Trains in Sheffield which run heavy rail and on the streets, Although you could argue Sheffeild isn't a true Tram -  Train as it doesn't use 25Kv (16.2/3 Germany) or diesel (Nordhausen Kasel) on heavy rail true like a true Tram Train,

Wheel profiles are diiferent for heavy rail and street running. so clever compromise is neededfor Tram - Trains.  

A good definition back in the good old days was;
Tramway=consists primarily of steel rails set into a road surface such that motor cars, pedestrians, horses etc may still use the road. Usually driven by "line of sight" Unlike railways that are usually reliant on signals.
Not normally used by railway trains, though exceptions existed such the Weymouth tramway.

Tram=vehicle intended for use on a tramway. Somewhat like a large bus in general design but equipped with steel wheels to fit the tram rails.
Commonly powered by a direct current overhead supply at about 500 to 800 volts, but steam power, horses, batteries, and cable haulage are less common alternatives.
Not in general intended for use on a railway, though a "one off" low speed journey by rail was not unknown, for example to deliver a newly built tram to the area of operation.

These days though the distinction has become less clear. Many modern trams are IMHO more like local trains, with limited street running.
Many modern trams require a raised platform, somewhat like a station platform. Classic trams were able to pick up and set down passengers anywhere like a bus. They had dedicated stops, like a bus, but COULD pick up and set down anywhere.

From the Transport and Works Act 1992:


The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Act 2006 includes almost identical definitions but with the following addition for tramways:-

 :) That official definition coincides pretty well with Broadgage's, which is more or less what I reckoned. That it's down to being at least partly on-street. Good to have it confirmed by officialdom!