In North American railroading, this term historically refers to a passenger car, though crews almost exclusively use the word car or coach. It designates a vehicle equipped with seating, climate control, and safety appliances for human transport, as opposed to freight equipment. While still the standard term in British railroading, it survives in North America mostly in historical contexts or formal documentation regarding passenger rolling stock.
We need to spot that vintage carriage at the platform before the excursion crowd shows up.
North American railroaders rarely say carriage on the job, preferring coach or just car. Using carriage usually marks the speaker as British or a history buff.
Also heard as
- passenger car
- coach
Related terms
Car
An unpowered rail vehicle designed to carry freight or passengers.
Coach
A standard passenger car equipped with rows of seats for revenue service.
Passenger car
A railcar specifically designed and equipped to carry people.
Rolling stock
The collective term for all wheeled vehicles that operate on a railway.