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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: Zoe Harrop on Sunday 17 April 05 23:45 BST (UK)

Title: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: Zoe Harrop on Sunday 17 April 05 23:45 BST (UK)
Am I being silly or was a Motor Man just a driver or mechanic ?
Thanks
Zoe
 ???
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: RJ_Paton on Monday 18 April 05 18:25 BST (UK)
Motorman, was also a term used (in some areas ) on the railways for a driver .... it could also refer to someone responsible for engines and tracks in a mine.

It is still in use today but as an american term for
Quote
One who drives an electrically powered streetcar, locomotive, or subway train.

Update ..... having done a little more research on the term it would appear to be used primarily in operating electric engines either static (pumps ,electric motors etc) or moving (some trains trams etc)
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: Zoe Harrop on Tuesday 19 April 05 00:24 BST (UK)
Hi there,
Many thanks for your information, it is much appreciated.
Zoe
 :D
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: Sheldon on Wednesday 27 April 05 02:25 BST (UK)
Motorman was also a term used for a Seaman who worked in the engine room of a ship.

Sheldon.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: Stob Ban on Friday 03 April 20 17:17 BST (UK)
A Seaman is a sailor who served in the Royal Navy on the upper-deck; a Stoker or an Engineer worked in the engine-room of a ship.  Why do I know........I was one.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: youngtug on Friday 03 April 20 17:47 BST (UK)
https://www.british-genealogy.com/forum/threads/57220-Motorman

This all depends upon the date for the OP's query.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: Redroger on Friday 03 April 20 18:41 BST (UK)
In the rail industry in the UK a motorman is ( or was historically) the driver of an electric multiple unit train only. The usage has been obsolete since the late 1960s.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: JohninSussex on Friday 03 April 20 20:43 BST (UK)
Let's just wait a couple of weeks until we can celebrate the 15th anniversary of the asking of the question ;).
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: barryd on Friday 03 April 20 21:29 BST (UK)
In Utah the driver of a light rail train is called an Operator. There is a notice behind the back of the "Operators Cab" not to disturb the said operator. (Female or Male!). Which begs the question  what do we call a female who is the Number 2 person in a Steam Locomotive Cab?
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: barryd on Friday 03 April 20 23:38 BST (UK)
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/trains-aka-driver-duddington

The greatest of them all.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: walkerpete on Saturday 04 April 20 10:57 BST (UK)
In response to barryd's question at #8 I would suggest fireman by analogy with chairman.
Title: Re: What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?
Post by: stanmapstone on Saturday 04 April 20 12:15 BST (UK)
The Dictionary of Occupational Terms has
Motor man (electric)
Motor man (motor vessel)
Motor man (railway)
Motor man, screen
Motor man, telpher
Motor man (tramway)

Stan