What was a Motor Man ? A Driver ?

[Zoe Harrop]

Am I being silly or was a Motor Man just a driver or mechanic ?
Thanks
Zoe
 

[RJ_Paton]

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

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)

[Zoe Harrop]

Hi there,
Many thanks for your information, it is much appreciated.
Zoe
 

[Sheldon]

Motorman was also a term used for a Seaman who worked in the engine room of a ship.

Sheldon.

[Stob Ban]

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.

[youngtug]

https://www.british-genealogy.com/forum/threads/57220-Motorman

This all depends upon the date for the OP's query.

[Redroger]

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.

[JohninSussex]

Let's just wait a couple of weeks until we can celebrate the 15th anniversary of the asking of the question .

[barryd]

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?