selfcarriage

Selfcarriage, sometimes written self-carriage, is a term with no universal definition in engineering or transportation. In general usage, it describes a carriage or carrier device that can move or operate without external propulsion, typically by an on-board power source or drive system. Because the phrase is not standardized, its meaning depends on the field and context.

In manufacturing and automation contexts, a self-carriage may denote a mobile transport module or a gantry component equipped with its own drives. Such a unit can position tools or move workpieces along a production line without relying on a separate motorized rail or crane, increasing flexibility and reducing setup times.

In railway and transit history, the term is sometimes used as a loose descriptor for self-propelled carriages—passenger cars that contain an onboard propulsion unit rather than being hauled by a locomotive. In this sense it overlaps with terms such as railcar, autocar, or motor coach, though usage varies by region and era.

Other niche applications may apply the term to camera rigs, stage equipment, or material-handling devices where the carriage (the load-bearing frame) incorporates its own propulsion to move along tracks or guide rails.

Because of its ambiguous usage, readers should identify the specific technical context when encountering selfcarriage and consult field-specific sources for a precise definition.