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Swedish Rail Firm Approves Trainy McTrainface As Name Following Online Poll (theguardian.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the fun-for-the-whole-family dept.

Those disappointed when Britain rejected the name Boaty McBoatface for a polar research ship should find joy in the name of a new train in Sweden. After a public vote, a Swedish rail operator has vowed to name one of its trains Trainy McTrainface. The Guardian reports: Trainy McTrainface won 49% of the votes in the naming competition, conducted online by train operator MTR Express and Swedish newspaper Metro, beating choices such as Hakan, Miriam and Poseidon. The train will run between the Swedish capital Stockholm and Gothenburg, the country's second-biggest city. MTR said another train had been voted to be named "Glenn," an apparent tribute to an IFK Gothenburg soccer team of the 1980s that featured four players of that name -- uncommon in Sweden -- including Glenn Hysen, who later captained Liverpool.

46 of 88 comments (clear)

  1. Ok, yes, that's funny by blind+biker · · Score: 1

    especially since the Brits didn't go with the winning "Boat McBoatface". In this instance, Sweden beats Britain :)

    --
    "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
    1. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by msauve · · Score: 1

      I've tried to search (go ahead and call me a Googletard, but I don't think that's it), but where did this whole "Xy McXface" meme begin? It predates the boaty thing, doesn't it?

      --
      "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    2. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      where did this whole "Xy McXface" meme begin?

      This rich tradition goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks, who commonly called one of their mathematicians Archimedey McArchimedesface. Ever since then, it's been applied to all kinds of things, including the well known Augustus Ceasary McCeasarface, and Alexander Graham Belly McBellface.

      And who could forget the much talked about European Uniony McUnionface? Then to lead into your question, the subject of our story Trainy McTrainface is a humorous take-off on the beloved John Coltraney McColtraneface.

    3. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by David_Hart · · Score: 1

      I've tried to search (go ahead and call me a Googletard, but I don't think that's it), but where did this whole "Xy McXface" meme begin? It predates the boaty thing, doesn't it?

      However it started, it needs to end. It's like speaking baby gibberish as an adult. Every time I see or hear this meme I think of Idiocracy...

    4. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by 91degrees · · Score: 2

      Probably From Blackadder. "Madder than Mad Jack McMad, the winner of last year's Mr. Madman competition"

    5. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      I think people are reacting at societies being run all too seriously, to harsh and they a looking for the lighter side of life. I would take that vote as being a canary in a mine, government better lighten the fuck up on the people or the people will harden the fuck up on government https://www.youtube.com/watch?.... Don't whine about government, work to change it.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    6. Re:Ok, yes, that's funny by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/...

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  2. Re:We are naming trains now? by quenda · · Score: 2

    I think they mean "locomotive", rather than train. A bad translation.

    We have been naming locomotives ever since Rocket .
    It follows the precedent of naming ships.

  3. Re:We are naming trains now? by MightyYar · · Score: 1

    Trains hate it when you anthropomorphize them.

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  4. Glenn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Glenn is more likely also a gag name, since it's a stereotypical name of men from Gothenburg.

    1. Re: Glenn by Jesus+H+Rolle · · Score: 1

      I once met a Gothenburg man, Who had an incredible tan. His mom said Martin, We said Leather Glenn, And last year he did buy a toucan.

    2. Re:Glenn by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

      Say what? "Glenn" isn't even a Swedish name. You're probably thinking of the 4 Glenns Era of the Gothenburg football club.

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    3. Re:Glenn by beowulfcluster · · Score: 1

      Everyone in Gothenburg is named Glenn. There's even a song about that.

  5. Re:We are naming trains now? by ma1wrbu5tr · · Score: 1

    Thomas resents your remark.

    --
    Why can't we go back to using jumpers to configure slot adapter cards? Why? I say!
  6. People like to name things. by Kernel+Kurtz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Planes, trains, automobiles.

    Titanic, Enola Gay, Hindenburg, Atlantis, General Lee.........

    I thought Boaty McBoatface was a really good name actually. It really does look like a scaled up children's toy.

    1. Re:People like to name things. by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      Planes, trains, automobiles.

      Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 American comedy film written, produced and directed by John Hughes.

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
    2. Re:People like to name things. by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

      With Steve Martin and John Candy. Good holiday viewing.

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    3. Re:People like to name things. by sysrammer · · Score: 1

      I thought it pretty hilarious, too. And, can you imagine the interest that research ship would have garnered on its missions.

      Fwiw, I can't remember what they ended up calling the ship, something grand like "Intrepid" or whatever. I don't remember the name, and I don't know where it is, and I don't know what it's doing.

      OTOH, we have a somewhat run-of-the-mill submersible. I know more about that craft than the research ship. I know more about what it is doing.

      I think the institution that ran the survey, then ignored its results, missed a good bet. The research ship could have gotten quite a good following.

      But, hey, subs are cool too. What's in a name? A Rosey McRoseface by any other name would smell as sweet.

      --
      His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
    4. Re:People like to name things. by sysrammer · · Score: 1

      Just the concept makes me laugh: "a traveling salesman who sells shower curtain rings".

      --
      His ignorance covered the whole earth like a blanket, and there was hardly a hole in it anywhere. - Mark Twain
    5. Re:People like to name things. by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      "Before the Internet" was a very different world.

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
  7. Another bold step... by easyTree · · Score: 1

    ...towards democracy :D

    --
    Requiem for the American Dream
  8. No, train by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 1

    No, they mean train since the Guardian is an English newspaper. I'm not sure what you call a collection of carriages with integrated engines in American but in English, it is definitely a train. Technically I believe it is an Electrical Multiple Unit train but I'll leave that to the experts to debate.

    1. Re:No, train by _merlin · · Score: 1

      Yeah, it's an "electric multiple unit trainset" if you want to be specific, but that can be shortened to "EMU train" or just "EMU", and it's still a "trainset" or "train" if you don't want to specify the type.

    2. Re:No, train by quenda · · Score: 1

      How can you name a train? A train is an ephemeral object - they come and go as carriages are added and removed.

      Ah, googling I see they may mean "train route" names:
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      These are specific regular journeys identified by a special name in the timetable, not to be confused with the names of engines or individual physical train rakes. One-off charter or sporadic special trains are not included.

      Is Sweden the same?
      So these are names that go on a timetable or station departure board, not on a brass plaque on the physical locomotive?

    3. Re:No, train by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 1

      How can you name a train?

      Some modern trains are more integrated than the old model of an engine plus carriages. This allows them to have larger, flexible connections between the rigid carriages than the narrow corridors which can be more easily decoupled. The cost is that these wider connections are more permanent. I expect that they could be disconnected in a major service but certainly not on a day-to-day basis. Hence a 'train' is far less ephemeral than it used to be especially when the article mentions they only have four of them.

    4. Re:No, train by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      How can you name a train? A train is an ephemeral object - they come and go as carriages are added and removed.

      The first know writing of your concern is 2000 years old.
      As the Wikipedia article points out this comes down to the definition of "same".
      It is a pretty interesting subject because once you dive down into it you will find that philosophy is a much more "serious" subject than you (probably) believe.
      What you know as mathematics is only applied philosophy and the foundation it rests on, like commutation and equality is something defined in philosophy.

      Another take on it:
      How can you name a person?
      During its lifetime every cell and atom is replaced. After a couple of decades everything in it is replaced.
      How can you call it the same person?

      The answer would often be that it isn't the matter that matters but the configuration of it.

    5. Re:No, train by tehcyder · · Score: 4, Informative

      How can you name a train? A train is an ephemeral object - they come and go as carriages are added and removed.

      There appears to be a more limited use of the word "train" for US readers. In British English, you can use train to refer either to the whole locomotive-plus-carriages, or just the locomotive.

      Here in the UK, most people would say that (for instance) the "Flying Scotsman" was a train.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    6. Re:No, train by quenda · · Score: 1

      The overwhelming majority of passenger trains consist of a fixed and integrated set of carriages.

      You'll have to excuse me: I'm Australian. That only applies to suburban commuter trains on electric lines here. Our few intercity trains still uses diesel-electric locomotives. (Like Americans, we prefer to drive or fly.)
      And of course, most trains are freight trains. I think you will find similar applies to much of the world outside Europe. Are all European intercity rail lines electrified?

    7. Re:No, train by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 1

      In Stockholm, each subway car is individually named--the name is painted on the exterior of the car. Can't recall off the top of my head whether they do the same for cross-country trains, or whether they just name the locomotives.

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    8. Re:No, train by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

      You can remove the timbers from a boat and replace them, that doesn't mean you can't name the boat! But for what it's worth, trains aren't broken up as often as you might think - typically once a train is on a route it stays the same consist for years. If the train is a DMU or EMU, then it usually stays as that consist for its entire life.

      The other problem with your assumption is that the word "train" can differ depending on context. If I say "I'm taking the train to New York tonight", and you say "Oh, which one?", am I providing the most obvious answer if I say "Well, the one lead by locomotive 40126", or "The 6.23, I guess I better be at the station by quarter past six!"

      Trains are named according to multiple criteria: a train can be a physical item, such as a trainset or just "Any train with this locomotive"; but a train can refer to the marketing of a specific timetabled route: for example, the US has lots of "named trains" like the Silver Star and the Texas Eagle.

      I hope this makes sense,

      --
      You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    9. Re:No, train by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      A less hoity-toity example would be Trigger's broom.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    10. Re:No, train by Godwin+O'Hitler · · Score: 1

      A train needn't be a specific piece of hardware, whether it be a locomotive or the whole thing.
      "The Flying Scotsman" was the name of a daily train that ran for many years in Britain from London to Edinburgh.
      Or at least everyone called it a train; but in reality, it was the name of a timetable entry.

      --
      No, your children are not the special ones. Nor are your pets.
  9. Re:We are naming trains now? by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 2

    He was an engine, not a train, as in "Thomas the Tank Engine".

  10. Re:We are naming trains now? by chipschap · · Score: 1

    This is the sort of thing that /. thinks is essential news nowadays.

  11. Re:We are naming trains now? by BlueStrat · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Trains hate it when you anthropomorphize them.

    Only when you're;

    Drivin' that train

    High on cocaine

    Casey Jones you better watch your speed

    Trouble ahead, trouble behind

    And you know that notion just crossed my mind

    -- 'Casey Jones' by Grateful Dead

    Strat

    --
    Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
  12. Things could escalate quickly! by LordHighExecutioner · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sweden will soon be renamed into Swedy McSwedface, and so on...

    Posted on Slashdottyy McSlashdotface

    1. Re:Things could escalate quickly! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Muhammad McAllahFace more likely...

    2. Re:Things could escalate quickly! by CaptnCrud · · Score: 1

      The Mcassheads

  13. Re:We are naming trains now? by amalcolm · · Score: 1

    A tank engine is so named because it has an integrated water tank, as opposed to a tender. There were typically used for short routes as they could carry less fuel/water than a 'mainline' locomotive with a tender for water and coal.

    --
    Time for bed, said Zebedee - boing
  14. Re:We are naming trains now? by bickerdyke · · Score: 1

    Trains hate it when you anthropomorphize them.

    If I was a train, I would hate that, too. At least after seeing "Starlight Express"

    --
    bickerdyke
  15. Re:We are naming trains now? by mjwx · · Score: 1

    Do we actually need to name trains? Also do we need articles on Train names? On slashdot?

    There are a lot of things we dont need on public transport... but being able to call it Trainy McTrainface is a lot nicer than British Rail Class 458. This makes for nicer journies in Europe where intercity trains are a common form of transport.

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  16. Re:We are naming trains now? by enrique556 · · Score: 1

    It illustrates the broader effects of the internet age - silly names for public infrastructure are the tip of the iceberg. You could also argue that extremism (of varying types) is a symptom of the internet age, for the same reason: society behaves very differently in aggregate when we don't have to put our faces to our opinions. So yes this article belongs on slashdot.

  17. Re:We are naming trains now? by squiggleslash · · Score: 1

    The train pictured doesn't have a locomotive, it appears to be a multiple unit, probably an EMU. (Multiple units are trains where one or more cars are self propelled.)

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  18. Re:We are naming trains now? by MightyYar · · Score: 1

    A really _useful_ engine.

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  19. Cooperation by Tenebrousedge · · Score: 1

    I'm glad peoples in different countries can show signs of unity on such important topics. /s

    This is awesome. This is exactly what the Internet should be :)

    --
    Those who advocate genocide deserve every protection afforded by law, and none afforded by common human decency.
  20. Re:We are naming trains now? by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    Philistine!

    # Good morning, America, how are you?
      Don't you know me, I'm your native son...

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."