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Glite Dictionary
scenic railway

scenic railway

4.1
A small train ride in an amusement park that shows pleasant views
  • noun
translation icon : ferrocarril panorámico
  • The scenic railway offers breathtaking views of the mountains as it winds through the valley.

Examples

  • The children laughed and smiled as they rode the scenic railway around the beautiful gardens.

  • Riding the scenic railway was the highlight of our trip to the amusement park.

  • More curves than a scenic railway.

    The Band Wagon (1953)

How Exciting

wild ride
15 3.6
switchback
  • Archaic
6.3
scenic railway
4.1

Surface Forms

scenic railway singular
scenic railways plural

Morphology

scenic + railway

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from the parts: 'scenic' (attractive views) modifies 'railway' (a train/track), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is a railway that offers pleasant views. This adjective+noun composition follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and requires no idiomatic knowledge or special cultural background.

Etymology

Scenic railway: The noun scenic railway comes from small trains in parks and seaside resorts that carried people slowly along tracks so they could enjoy the scenic ('beautiful') views on a railway ('track'). So, the name now means 'a short amusement or tourist train that gives a pleasant ride'.