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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

composition ferroviaire

English translation:

train

Added to glossary by philgoddard
Mar 5, 2012 16:24
12 yrs ago
3 viewers *
French term

compositions ferroviaires

French to English Marketing Tourism & Travel
Hello all,

I am trying to figure out what this means in this context. Would it just be "railway service" or something referring more to how the railway is laid out, or something else? This is in a sort of newsletter/brochure for an area of Switzerland. Thanks!

Paradis des randonneurs

Dans le jardin d’Eden que constitue le haut-plateau jurassien, les possibilités de balades à pied, à vélo et même à trottinette sont légion. Les [RAILWAY NAME] sont le partenaire indispensable des offres de mobilité douce. Région suisse encore trop méconnue, les [REGION NAME] demeurent pourtant une destination touristique aux décors somptueux et aux activités variées. Son décor alterne avec les crêtes et les combes escarpées. Les [RAILWAY NAME] vous invitent à découvrir des paysages authentiques avec des ***compositions ferroviaires*** confortables, un moyen idéal pour profiter du calme, de la beauté et de l’éblouissant panorama. Cette région verte préservée du tourisme de masse offre énormément pour peu d’argent.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +6 train
4 +2 coaching stock (not just the trains but the coaches used in their consist)
3 easy rail connections
3 different types of trains
4 -2 Railway set-up
3 -1 railway system/network
2 train settings
References
composition ferroviaire > the whole train
Change log

Mar 19, 2012 06:22: philgoddard Created KOG entry

Discussion

MatthewLaSon Mar 6, 2012:
@ Tony Thank you! I will heed your suggestion. It's best to post links like this in "Post a Reference".
MatthewLaSon Mar 6, 2012:
Meaning is pretty clear here Hello,

The meaning of "composition ferroviaire" seems pretty clear to me here.

Tavannes en direction de Tramelan, dans la forêt d'Orange. Sous l'effet du choc, la moitié de la composition ferroviaire est sortie des rails.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...
Tony M Mar 5, 2012:
Not too sure... I don't think it's safe to categorically assume it means 'comfortable' — in fact, it's probably a bit of both, you might be able to say 'comfortable and convenient'!

I suspect it means things like they have refreshment facilities, so you can do an all-day trip without needing to get off, and also as someone else suggested, panoramic viewing cars.
Colin Rowe Mar 5, 2012:
I was interpreting... 'confortable' as 'convenient' (in the context of packages), but it looks as though Phil is on the right track (sorry...) and that it simply means comfortable (well-appointed?) trains.
philgoddard Mar 5, 2012:
I've submitted "train" as an answer. "Composition" means "combination", as in locomotive/rolling stock.
Penny Hewson (X) Mar 5, 2012:
Carriages? Could it be anything to do with comfortable compartments/carriages? I came across this with a description that this particular "c_________ f_______" contained an easy-access ramp for disabled access.
Sheila Wilson Mar 5, 2012:
With Colin That's what immediately came to my mind. It isn't just a train you can go from A to B in - it's a package that's arranged to please (like the difference between some cut flowers and a bouquet)
Martyn Greenan Mar 5, 2012:
Think Colin might be on to something.
Roberta Beyer (asker) Mar 5, 2012:
@philgoddard This text has a lot of "fancy ways of saying _____" insert whatever simple word you like... I have spent half my time looking up more flowery synonyms to use. I feel a bit silly!
Colin Rowe Mar 5, 2012:
Could they simply mean packages? e.g. 1-week tourist ticket.
philgoddard Mar 5, 2012:
It sounds to me like a fancy way of saying " train".

Proposed translations

+6
23 mins
French term (edited): composition ferroviaire
Selected

train

"Le train est une composition ferroviaire composée d'un ou plusieurs véhicules (voitures et wagons),reliés entre eux et capables de se déplacer sur une ligne ou sur des rails, transportent des personnes ou des marchandises d'un côté à l'autre."
Reference:

http://cpkids.cp.pt/Kids/MenuPrincipal/ABCComboio/Comboio?lang=fr

Peer comment(s):
agree Tony M : Yes, the make-up of a train (1st class / 2nd class / dining car / baggage car, etc.) is called its composition, so I feel sure that is what they mean here. Remembering of course that 'confortable' can be comfortable, but also 'convenient'
2 mins
Yes, hence the signs on station platforms, "composition des trains". Confortable definitely means comfortable here though.
agree Colin Rowe : Convincing
2 mins
agree Karen Stokes
18 mins
disagree Andrew Bramhall : Not a translation of the term asked.//No such thing.If the question were "Comment dit-on "train" en anglais?, I'd have been the first to agree.
21 mins
I assume this is retaliation for me (and other people) disagreeing with you.
agree Mark Bossanyi
1 hr
agree cc in nyc
1 hr
agree Claire Cox : given that this is a tourist text, it's a perfectly adequate translation of the requested term
2 hrs
neutral Clarissa Hull : except that it's plural. Notwithstanding singular entry forms in dictonaries and glossaries. I am speaking about the CONTEXT given by the asker.
4 hrs
Dictionaries and glossaries (which KudoZ is) list the singular forms of nouns, and that's what the asker should have asked for.
agree Paul Hirsh
22 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
-2
5 mins

Railway set-up

.".. vous invitent à découvrir des paysages authentiques avec des ***compositions ferroviaires*** confortables"

"..invite you to discover genuine countryside with our cosy railway set-up,a perfect way to enjoy the ..."

Set-up meaning network.
Peer comment(s):
disagree philgoddard : System, maybe, but not setup.
12 mins
It's a synonym for train configurations. 'System' is way off the mark
disagree Tony M : Have to agree with PG here: 'set-up' just doesn't work in the context as given. / 'train set-up' might have worked, but 'railway' suggests it is referring to the country's entire railway network.
19 mins
No comment.
disagree Colin Rowe : If "it's a synonym for train configurations" (your comment to Phil), how can it mean "network" (comment in your answer)?//What?! Not at all. "Railway network" means the infrastructure, the network of rail links (tracks) as a whole, not individual trains.
53 mins
Because that's the meaning you read into it.
agree MatthewLaSon : I don't think the "disagrees" are that warranted, considering that "row of train cars" implies network/set-up. They are comfortable trains -- it's that simple!
2 hrs
Thanks
Something went wrong...
-1
21 mins

railway system/network

....
Example sentence:

The Spanish railway network

Spain's modern, extensive, efficient railway system

Reference:

http://www.andalucia.com/travel/trains/home.htm

Peer comment(s):
disagree Tony M : I'm sure that can't be what they're referring to here
5 mins
Something went wrong...
11 mins

train settings

Could this work in English?

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 mins (2012-03-05 16:45:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

J'interprète l'expression comme étant des trains "composés" de wagons panoramiques peut-être, d'aspect plus luxueux peut-être, avec restaurant, fauteuils confortables, wagons "belle époque" peut-être... may be, may be
Something went wrong...
1 hr

easy rail connections

or options. Means you can put together an itinerary (with connections) without too much fuss
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

different types of trains

I think this is what is meant here: visitors have a choice between steam trains, nostalgic trains, Belle Epoque trains...

also, it is plural, not just one train as suggested
Peer comment(s):
neutral Colin Rowe : Re singular/plural: Kudoz functions as a glossary – entry would be "composition ferroviaire" = "train". I note that Phil has also made use of the option to modify the requested term accordingly at the top of his answer.
14 hrs
I have aleady answered this (see above)
Something went wrong...
+2
2 hrs

coaching stock (not just the trains but the coaches used in their consist)

I hate to upset you all but in a railway context - composition des trains means train CONSIST, in other words the configuration of the train with its different coaches and the types of coach used in the trainset (rame).
It is very likely, having travelled on some of these trains, that they have panoramic coaches and other comfort features to enable passengers to enjoy the scenery and the sights to the full

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 days (2012-03-12 07:49:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

@Oliver - rolling stock = matériel roulant.
As to train consists, you may have doubts but I am certain. It is a "technical term" beloved of railwaymen and maybe not for everyday consumption but I promise you in it 100% correct
Peer comment(s):
neutral philgoddard : You might use this term in a railway magazine, but not a tourist brochure.
15 mins
true but it is important that the meaning should be understood
agree Tony M : Obviously an informed answer, but as PG says, possibly not usable in Asker's specific context.
37 mins
agree Andrew Bramhall : Highly likely.But the word 'consist, as in "train consist" is a big no-no, not as a noun. And in the industry the term is "rolling stock", referring to locomotives, carriages, everything.//First point doubtful, second already agreed and confirmed above.
3 days 23 hrs
Olivier - sorry to have to tell you but in railway circles one talks about "train consists" for "compositions de train" whether you like it or not - grandmothers and eggs?// and rolling stock is generic for everything including locos and tractive units
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

1 day 6 hrs
Reference:

composition ferroviaire > the whole train

Hello,

I think the meaning is very clear here in this link.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd...


I hope this helps.
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Tony M : Good reference, though I don't entirely agree with your suggested translation above.
1 hr
Thank you, Tony! That isn't my "suggested" translation; it's just a simple way of saying what the French is really saying. I would just say "trains".
Something went wrong...
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