Posted on 02/16/2023 9:49:16 AM PST by Jeff Chandler
If you ask someone to close their eyes and picture a train, they'll typically imagine one of two things:
The sleek, fast European passenger trains that can zip through the countryside, or The industrial, coal-burning freight trains that powered the American westward expansion. So, how did these two vastly dissimilar pictures come to be? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the key differences between American and European rail systems.
HOW DO EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN TRAINS DIFFER? When it comes to American trains vs. European trains, there are six main factors that help make each one stand apart: their freight-to-passenger ratio, funding, rail infrastructure, train designs, operating procedures, and government regulations. Let's explore each of these in-depth.
1. Freight-to-Passenger Ratio What really sets these two rail networks apart are the shares of their respective freight and passenger transportation markets. North American railways handle about 84% freight cargo and only 16% passengers, while the European Union's railways are almost exactly the inverse at 80% passengers and 20% freight. This difference in focus is primarily due to their opposing historical priorities: American railways were built to move goods across a vast country with a sparse population, whereas European railways were mostly created to move large amounts of people between densely populated cities. To learn more, check out our recent article on the history of short line railroads in America.
2. Train Design Due to their opposing priorities, American and European trains are designed quite differently. American trains are typically longer and wider to accommodate more freight, while European trains are shorter and narrower to allow for more nimble movements and quicker acceleration. American freight cars also tend to be lower to the ground to make it easier to load and unload heavy cargo, whereas European passenger cars are typically higher off the ground to offer a better view of the passing scenery.
An Italian regional passenger train at a Swiss border station in Chiasso, Switzerland. An Italian regional passenger train at a Swiss border station in Chiasso, Switzerland. 3. Operating Procedures As a result of their different train designs, American and European operating procedures are also quite dissimilar. American trains typically have one powerful locomotive at the front that pulls the entire train (although this is changing thanks to distributed power systems), while European trains often have multiple locomotives that pull the train from the front and push it from behind (or a mix of both). American locomotives also typically run on diesel fuel, whereas European locomotives can run on either diesel or electric power.
4. Rail Infrastructure The American National Rail Network is more than twice the size of the European rail system, with over 224,000 miles (360,000 kilometers) of track compared to Europe's mere 94,000 miles (151,000 kilometers). American railways were also built on a wider gauge (the distance between the rails), which allows for larger and heavier trains. As a result, American freight railways are much more efficient than their European counterparts, carrying almost three times as much cargo per mile of track. The only downside of this wider gauge is that it isn't compatible with Europe's smaller standard gauge, so American trains cannot run on European tracks and vice versa.
5. Funding American railways are primarily privately owned, with freight companies investing their own money into the system. In contrast, most European railways are publicly owned and funded by taxpayers. This has led to very different attitudes towards investment: American companies are more likely to reinvest their profits into the railway system, while European railway companies have been known to be more resistant to private investment and change.
6. Government Regulations American railways are subject to less government regulation than European railways, which gives freight companies more freedom to operate as they see fit. For instance, American freight companies are not required to use their tracks for passenger service (although many still do), whereas European freight companies must share their tracks with passenger trains. American freight companies are also allowed to ship cargo that would typically be banned in Europe, such as crude oil, toxic chemicals, and other hazardous materials.
SO, WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE BEST RAILROAD SYSTEM? Given all of these differences, it's hard to say definitively which country has the better railway system. Ultimately, it comes down to what you're looking for in a railway system. American railways are significantly more efficient and cost-effective at moving freight cargo for businesses, whereas European railways offer a much smoother and more scenic experience for their rail passengers.
https://www.floridarail.com/news/a-brief-history-of-short-line-railroads-in-america/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/6-engineering-trends-that-are-pioneering-the-future-of-rail-freight-sustainability/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/7-rail-freight-statistics-every-shipper-needs-to-know-infographic/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/understanding-the-3-systems-that-make-up-the-national-rail-network/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/what-kind-of-freight-can-you-ship-by-rail/
https://www.floridarail.com/contact-us/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/a-brief-history-of-short-line-railroads-in-america/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/7-rail-freight-statistics-every-shipper-needs-to-know-infographic/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/understanding-the-3-systems-that-make-up-the-national-rail-network/
https://www.floridarail.com/news/what-kind-of-freight-can-you-ship-by-rail/
https://www.floridarail.com/contact-us/
#7 - American Passenger trains have a more diverse ridership
I will leave it at that
I think the main reason passenger trains never caught on in America is due to the vast distances involved.
In Europe, the distances between major cities is much shorter, making their trains basically "commuter trains", which is a model that works very well in America. Even going from Berlin to Paris (one of the longer trips) can be completed in a day by train as it's only about 550 miles.
Travelling any further than that on a train can become very uncomfortable as anybody who has ever tried an overnight journey on a train can attest. I tried a sleeper car on Amtrak once going cross country and I am not a fan.
However, I love my commuter trains which get me to Manhattan and back from my Connecticut home (70 miles away) in reasonable time.
“American trains typically have one powerful locomotive at the front that pulls the entire train”
nonsense.
Hahaha. The Fed Gov has allowed far too much consolidation of the railway companies, and in the great tradition of American corporations, with no competition they have slashed work forces and maintenance because customers have no choice but to accept the delays and prices charged and safety and maintenance are of little concern.
It's the same with airlines, banks, gas and electric companies: they all provide high costs, high risks and zero customer service with the approval of the government.
I think you are confusing Amtrak with Greyhound. When I’ve ridden Amtrak, passenger base is the same as on a legacy airline, especially on the Acela corridor. As far as subways/metros are concerned - the folks I have seen riding the metros in Paris, Amsterdam, and London are as diverse as those I see when I ride the PATH and MTA in my part of the world.
And that is exactly what killed the intercontinental railroad that Obama talked about back in 2011.
I’d like to say it’s like Captain Obvious….as someone growing up under a train nut.
I have to question some of those aspects though, in light of the fact the English refused to adopt the brilliant car-coupler system developed in America. That’s why they, and many other Euro rolling stock, have those silly bumpers - trying to keep men hooking up chains from getting squished.
The knuckle coupler made a huge impact on US RR, which UK would not follow.
Railfan post!
I don’t think diversity is the problem on long haul rail transportation (though it might be in consideration on inner city light rail). The worst experience I had with regards to fellow passengers was with a family of toofless hill billies traveling to the west coast. They were so bad that they when they were seated at a table in the dining car, the adjoining family got up and left rather than eat near them.
The big problem (other than the cost) that I found in going across America by rail is the second class status that they assign to passenger rail. Freight always takes precedence. There are long delays for passengers while their train waits for a freight to use the tracks ahead of them.
I once took a train from Chicago to Rhode Island via dc. We left out of Chicago sometime around dusk, traveled out of the city, stopped, and it wasn’t until the sun came up that the train started moving again. Made me miss my dc connection.
Of course, I haven’t ridden the train in ten years now. All could have changed.
US Fed.gov took passenger rail away from the rail companies, after airplanes and road destroyed their original business model, after having been weakened by Federal regulation for many years
I would argue Fed.gov has done NOTHING AT ALL to improve passenger rail
Although we can only engage in “what if” thinking and counterfactional analysis - IF passenger rail had been left in private hands, America would likely have a viable and competitive cross-country passenger rail system.
We have no way to know, because we have now had 50+ years of total Fed.gov control.
Delays are not really a concern. Of that 84% of U.S. rail that is devoted to freight cargo, most of it is bulk commodities, with cost-per-mile taking precedence over speed of delivery.
If what you are shipping falls into the just-in-time shipping mode, ship with trucks. If you’re shipping coal or wheat, etc, load it onto freight trains. It will get there eventually, and at comparatively lower cost.
Actually trains are much more comfortable than planes ever are.
You can move around and sit where you want. Makes even long trips much more comfortable. I definitely don’t relish 6 hour flight cross-country.
In fact, my dad ended up HAVING to take trains to visit his siblings in NE. Blood clotting danger. Flights, no good.
The tracks are privately owned.
Yes, and in passenger rail, Fed.gov have created a TOTAL monopoly - run by Fed.gov!
Its why it sucks so much.
When our european friends visit, they are stunned by the size of the USA. We had visitors from England that though they could rent a car and drive from JFK airport to Oklahoma City and about 4 hours when they planned their first visit.
Silly Obama couldn’t figure out that you just need to add a 3rd set of wheels to the trains so they can fit on either size track.
That's nonsense comment. who runs the service? who owns the railcars? who controls the pricing? Who regulates the terms of service?
In fact, Fed.gov control of passenger rail, run on privately held freight tracks, creates a situation WORSE than total monopoly.
I was quite comfortable riding the train from Los Angeles to Cleveland and back as a kid - twice. But my 6'4", 250lb father couldn't handle the seats. He slept on the cushioned bench in the club car.
Later, we switched to air travel. The first time was on a 727. That sucker was LOUD!
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