standby train

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An extra train kept ready to carry passengers when scheduled trains are full or disrupted.

   Grammar: Countable: say 'a standby train' or 'standby trains' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • take a standby train
   • a standby train to somewhere
   • run standby trains

   When our flight was cancelled, the airline put us on a standby train to the capital.

   Standby trains were running all evening because the main line was flooded.

2. 2nouncountable

   A train that a passenger without a reservation may board if space becomes available.

   Grammar: Often used after 'on': 'We travelled on a standby train.'

   Patterns

   • travel on a standby train
   • get on a standby train
   • wait for a standby train

   She had no ticket, so she waited for a standby train at the platform.

   Standby trains are cheaper, but you are not guaranteed a seat.

Word forms

Common combinations

take a standby train

We took a standby train when the express was full.

a standby train to + place

There is a standby train to the airport every hour.

run standby trains

The operator ran standby trains during the holiday rush.

catch a standby train

If we hurry, we can catch a standby train at six.

standby train service

A standby train service operates on busy weekends.

Synonyms and how they differ

relief train

A relief train is added specifically to help overcrowded services; 'standby train' stresses that it is kept ready and used as needed.

extra train

'Extra train' is the general everyday term; 'standby train' is more specific and often suggests passengers without bookings.

Word family

standby noun

A state of being ready to act or travel if needed.

standby adjective

Kept ready for use, as in 'standby tickets'.

Commonly confused: standby train or standing train?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “standby train”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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