Dinky Train
Encyclopedia
Dinky train is a U.S. nickname
sometimes used to describe a smallish train
that runs on a "Dinky line
". This is a railroad, often constructed with narrow gauge track
, used for short supply runs between closely spaced cities and towns. The work "dinky" has also come to mean certain commuter trains in the United States, such as the Princeton Branch
of New Jersey Transit
, the New Canaan Branch of Metro-North's
New Haven line, and the Metra
BNSF line
to Aurora, IL. The Princeton and New Canaan Dinky are both short trains operating on a short-distance line of a few miles. It's not quite so clear why the BNSF trains are called Dinky - they're often ten-car trains operating on a three-track main line, known as the "racetrack".
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
sometimes used to describe a smallish train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
that runs on a "Dinky line
Dinky Line
Dinky line is a U.S. nickname sometimes used to describe a short railroad line, usually with short trainsets known as Dinky trains.The following lines have been called 'Dinky Line':...
". This is a railroad, often constructed with narrow gauge track
Rail tracks
The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers and ballast , plus the underlying subgrade...
, used for short supply runs between closely spaced cities and towns. The work "dinky" has also come to mean certain commuter trains in the United States, such as the Princeton Branch
Princeton Branch
The Princeton Branch is a commuter rail line and service owned and operated by New Jersey Transit in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The line is a short branch of the Northeast Corridor Line, running from Princeton Junction northwest to Princeton with no intermediate stops...
of New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
, the New Canaan Branch of Metro-North's
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
New Haven line, and the Metra
Metra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
BNSF line
BNSF Railway Line
The BNSF Railway Line is a commuter rail line in the United States, provided by Metra and operated by the BNSF Railway in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs...
to Aurora, IL. The Princeton and New Canaan Dinky are both short trains operating on a short-distance line of a few miles. It's not quite so clear why the BNSF trains are called Dinky - they're often ten-car trains operating on a three-track main line, known as the "racetrack".