Railcar vs. Locomotive — What's the Difference?

A railcar (not to be confused with a railway car) is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach (carriage, car), with a driver's cab at one or both ends.

A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. If a locomotive is capable of carrying a payload, it is usually rather referred to as a multiple unit, motor coach, railcar or power car; the use of these self-propelled vehicles is increasingly common for passenger trains, but rare for freight (see CargoSprinter and Iron Highway).

A railroad car.

A self-propelled vehicle, usually electric, diesel, or steam-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks.

(rail) A self-propelled railway vehicle for passengers, similar to a bus.

A driving or pulling force; an impetus

(rail) A powered single railway vehicle designed for passenger transport, with a driver's cab in both ends; Not to be confused with motor coach/motorcar, which is a powered railway vehicle capable to haul a train.

Of, relating to, or involved in locomotion.

(Only in Canada and US) Any unpowered railway vehicle

Serving to put into motion or propel forward

A wheeled vehicle adapted to the rails of railroad;

Able to move independently from place to place.

Of or relating to a self-propelled locomotive.

Of or relating to travel.

(rail transport) The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.

(rare) A traction engine.

(slang) A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed.

(archaic) Any of various early road vehicles, steam-powered, etc., forerunners of the modern car.

(economics) A country which drives the world economy by having a high level of imports, such as the United States.

Of or relating to locomotion.

Of or relating to the power unit of a train which does not carry passengers or freight itself.

Moving, or capable of motion.

Moving from place to place; changing place, or able to change place; as, a locomotive animal.

Used in producing motion; as, the locomotive organs of an animal.

A locomotive engine; a self-propelling wheel carriage, especially one which bears a steam boiler and one or more steam engines which communicate motion to the wheels and thus propel the carriage, - used to convey goods or passengers, or to draw wagons, railroad cars, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.

A wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

Of or relating to locomotion