Track and Platform

   Share on Facebook  
Lcchang  #217420  Wed, 19 Apr 06 04:17 AM

Dear teachcers,

The train in on Track 9.

Does the sentence above mean the the train is on Platfrom 9?

Please advise.

LCChang

  
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Feb 27 2006
Northern Taiwan
Contributing Member (1,020)
Life will never end.
Clive  #217458  Wed, 19 Apr 06 06:16 AM

Hi,

The train in on Track 9.

Does the sentence above mean the the train is on Platfrom 9?

The track is what the train runs on top of. Tracks have numbers. I wouldn't say that platforms necessarily have the same numbers. For example, two platforms, on either side of a track at a station somewhere along the track, might just be termed 'platform 1' and 'platform 2'. However, in a terminal at the end of the line, I wouldn't be surprised if the platform did indeed have the same number as the track. Consider this excerpt from a famous song from the Big Band era, which refers to a train, a station and a track, but no platform. That suggests to me that it left from Platform 29.  A choo-choo is slang for a train.

Pardon me boys, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
(Yes Yes) Track 29!
Boy you can give me a shine
(Can you afford to board, the Chattanooga Choo Choo?)
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore

Best wishes, Clive

 

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (22,253)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service