Commuter Trains. Part-Two.

Most Efficiant System.

As yet there is no alternative to the need for Communter and Metro or Underground trains? In recent years many of the newer classes of trains operating around the world have ended the need for seperate locomotives, thus there is no need to turn anything as the unite just moves from A to B and B to A.

The only time some driver unit's are taken off is for maintenance, but then that whole train is taken out of service. Metros and Underground systems have opted for seperate engine units to pick up current under each coach and there is no need of the traditional idea of a Loco.

The design of many new trains is space for standing over seating and more windows allowing in light and seeing almost from one car to another. This has had to be done in relation to theft and other crimes on older stocakge.

France, Japan, Spain, Germany have been the world leaders in many new designs, but so has the United Kingdom, U.S.A. and China. Many new systems such as the Maglev and the mordern Monorails are coming of age now on shorter usage and being combined with existing infrustructure of Motorways/Autobahns and Airports.

Commuter Trains. Part-One.

Mass Movement.

The commuter train has become one of the most blandest of train types across the world? They are really box trains sometimes painted in nice colour schemes, but generally they have a dirty appearance of over long term use. 

Indian railways and recent films showing the commuter system in Mumbai portray this demand for rush hour traffic! South Africa, Great Britain and Russia also portray a similar image, perhaps with less dirt and more colour.

Terms such as D/EMU (Diesel/ Electric Multiple Unit) is the official name for these trains that are capable of carrying 700 to 2000 people per run. Japan and India have the worst overcrowding problems, while the United States, Denmark, and Israel know deploy double decker carriages.

'Take the Train.'

Railways.

I wonder how many people today still use the train to travel long distances. Back in the 1950's it was really the hey day od travel in the U.S. Rail travel was going from A to B or Z in style. But today modern trains are fast and design of style has been lost.

Around the world train travel continues at very different paces from country to country. Diesels rule more so than steam and electric, because they are cheaper to buy and build. Many nations do not have a commuter service and rely on a regular train probably only one a day.

Railways and trains will continue to be around for a long time yet, because for many developing nations they are a life line in communications.