Commentary: By Calling A Railroad ‘Line’ A ‘Corridor’ Is That The Right ‘Route’ To Take?

Six Of One, Half-a-dozen Of The Other?

So, there are three relevant terms of concern here: Corridor, Line and Route. Which one applies to the railroad?

I want to start with Route first.

When I think of “Route,” I think “Way.”

Example: “Go that route.” Meaning to “go that way” or “take that path”.

In applying “route” to the word “railroad,” yields “railroad way.” And, in making this more concise, the outcome or result of that is “railway”.

Disclosure: I don’t usually think of a railroad being a “route.” I just don’t think in those terms. I think of highways or roads in that way. An example? State Route 99 or Route 66.

Then again, there’s the term railroad “route” map. So, it’s railroad or railway route then.

Or not.

Okay, so in moving on, next in line is Line.

We’re all familiar with the term “Branch Line” and “Main-“ or “Trunk-Line.” “Line” used in this context seems really apropos. The pole line, a “line,” lines the railroad.” Then there’s the siding or side track. To call that a “side line,” to me sounds awkward. But, that, in reality, is what a siding or side track is — a side line. Maybe where the term “sidelined” comes from. Not sure which is worse: Getting sidelined or sidetracked.

Disclosure: Okay, so now I’m getting sidetracked.

In continuing with my original train of thought (sorry), lastly, there is Corridor.

“Corridor” is a tough one.

Example: “Northeast Corridor”.

What is a “Corridor”?

According to what the Random House Webster’s College Dictionary (1991 Edition) has to say about the matter, a “corridor” is: “2. a narrow passageway of land, as between an inland country and an outlet to the sea. 3. a densely populated region with major overland and air transportation routes: the Northeast corridor.“*

“Corridor” in my mind’s eye, seems “route” specific as in it being a specific route. That’s what it sounds to me like.

At any rate, where a railroad or railway is concerned, I still prefer calling it a “line”.

And, with that, I’ll just call it “good”.

But, really, whether a railroad or railway is referred to as a Route, Line or Corridor, or even a Pike, the bottom “line” is, it’s all good.

* Random House Webster’s College Dictionary, 1991 Edition, p. 306

Notes

In an earlier version in definition 3. for “corridor,” the word “transportation” was inadvertently written twice. The text has been revised and now reads correctly.

Updated: Nov. 25, 2024 at 8:12 a.m. PST.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

All material copyrighted 2024, Alan Kandel. All Rights Reserved.