Passenger train

Last updated

Amtrak Northeast Regional at Odenton.jpg
Amtrak's locomotive-hauled Northeast Regional in the United States
Series-E235-0 9.jpg
One of JR East's commuter electric multiple units in Japan
DSB K 582 with heritage train 12.JPG
A heritage train in Denmark
CRH2A-4028 at Pearl River West Bridge (20180924125904).jpg
A high speed passenger train in China

A passenger train is a train used to transport people along a railroad line. [1] [2] These trains may consist of unpowered passenger railroad cars (also known as coaches or carriages) hauled by one or more locomotives, or may be self-propelled; self propelled passenger trains are known as multiple units or railcars. Passenger trains stop at stations or depots, where passengers may board and disembark. In most cases, passenger trains operate on a fixed schedule and have priority over freight trains.

Contents

Passenger trains may be made up of a number of passenger cars hauled by one or more locomotives, or may be made up of self-propelled railcars. Car design and the general safety of passenger trains have dramatically evolved over time, making travel by rail remarkably safe. Some passenger trains, both long-distance and short-distance, use bi-level (double-decker) cars to carry more passengers per train. Passenger trains hauled by locomotives are more expensive to operate than multiple units, but have a higher passenger capacity. [3]

Many prestigious passenger train services have been bestowed a special name, some of which have become famous in literature and fiction.[ citation needed ]

History

Locomotion No. 1, the first locomotive to carry passengers on a public railway Locomotion No. 1..jpg
Locomotion No. 1, the first locomotive to carry passengers on a public railway

The first occasion on which a railway locomotive pulled a train carrying passengers was in 1804 at Penydarren Ironworks in Wales, when 70 employees of the ironworks were transported 9 miles by an engine designed by Richard Trevithick. [4] [5] The first passenger train in regular service was a horse drawn train on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway which opened in 1807. [6] In 1808, Trevithick ran a passenger-carrying exhibition train called Catch Me Who Can on a small loop of track in London. [4] The exhibition, which ran for two weeks, charged passengers for rides. [4]

The first steam train carrying passengers on a public railway was hauled by Locomotion No. 1 on the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, traveling at speeds up to 15 miles per hour. [7]

Travel by passenger trains in the United States began in the 1830s and became popular in the 1850s and '60s. [8] [9]

In the United States, streamliner trains, such as the City of San Francisco, were developed beginning in the 1930s to reinvigorate passenger train services. City of San Francisco SP Advertisement 1938.jpg
In the United States, streamliner trains, such as the City of San Francisco , were developed beginning in the 1930s to reinvigorate passenger train services.

The first electric passenger train was exhibited at the Berlin Industrial Exposition 1879. [10] The first successful commercial electric passenger train, the Gross-Lichterfelde Tramway, ran a year later in Lichterfelde. [10]

Long-distance trains

A long-distance night train at the Oulu railway station in Oulu, Finland Oulu railway station 20180107.jpg
A long-distance night train at the Oulu railway station in Oulu, Finland

Long-distance trains travel between many cities or regions of a country, and sometimes cross several countries. They often have a dining car or restaurant car to allow passengers to have a meal during the course of their journey. Trains travelling overnight may also have sleeping cars. Currently, much of travel on these distances of over 500 miles (800 km) is done by air in many countries but in others long-distance travel by rail is a popular or the only cheap way to travel long distances.

High-speed rail

The Shinkansen N700 Series Nozomi travels between Tokyo and Osaka in around two and a half hours. Series-N700A-F20.jpg
The Shinkansen N700 Series Nozomi travels between Tokyo and Osaka in around two and a half hours.

One notable and growing long-distance train category is high-speed rail, which generally runs at speeds above 200 km/h (120 mph) and often operates on a dedicated track that is surveyed and prepared to accommodate high speeds. [12] The first successful example of a high-speed passenger rail system was Japan's Shinkansen, colloquially known as the "bullet train", which commenced operation in October 1964. [13] Other examples include Italy's LeFrecce, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, literally "high speed train"), Germany's ICE (Inter-City Express), and Spain's AVE (Alta Velocidad Española).

In most cases, high-speed rail travel is time- and cost-competitive with air travel when distances do not exceed 500 to 600 km (310 to 370 mi), as airport check-in and boarding procedures can add at least two hours to the overall transit time. [14] Also, rail operating costs over these distances may be lower when the amount of jet fuel consumed by an airliner during takeoff and climbout is taken into consideration. Air travel becomes more cost-competitive as the travel distance increases because the fuel accounts for less of the overall operating cost of the airliner.

Some high-speed rail systems employ tilting technology to improve stability in curves. Examples of tilting trains are the Advanced Passenger Train (APT), the Pendolino, the N700 Series Shinkansen, Amtrak's Acela and the Spanish Talgo. Tilting is a dynamic form of superelevation, allowing both low- and high-speed traffic to use the same trackage (though not simultaneously), as well as producing a more comfortable ride for passengers.

Inter-city trains

The Electric Tilt Train, the fastest train in Australia, operates between Brisbane and Rockhampton in Queensland, a distance of 615 km. City of Rockhampton train (Sunshine railway station, Brisbane).jpg
The Electric Tilt Train, the fastest train in Australia, operates between Brisbane and Rockhampton in Queensland, a distance of 615 km.

"Inter-city" is a general term for any rail service that uses trains with limited stops to provide fast long-distance travel. Inter-city services can be divided into three major groups:

The distinction between the three types of inter-city rail service may be unclear; trains can run as InterCity services between major cities, then revert to an express (or even regional) train service to reach communities at the furthest points of the journey. This practice allows less populous communities to be served in the most cost-effective way, at the expense of a longer journey time for those wishing to travel to the terminus station.

Higher-speed rail

Higher-speed rail services operate at top speeds that are higher than conventional inter-city trains but below high-speed rail services. These services are provided after improvements to the conventional rail infrastructure to support trains that can operate safely at higher speeds.

Short-distance trains

Commuter trains

Mumbai's suburban trains handle 7.24 million commuters daily. Mumbai Train.JPG
Mumbai's suburban trains handle 7.24 million commuters daily.

Many cities and their surrounding areas are served by commuter trains (also known as suburban trains), which serve commuters who live outside of the city they work in, or vice versa. More specifically, in the United States commuter rail service is defined as, "short-haul rail passenger transportation in metropolitan and suburban areas usually having reduced fare, multiple ride, and commuter tickets and morning and evening peak period operations". [16] Trains are very efficient for transporting large numbers of people at once, compared to road transport. While automobiles may be delayed by traffic congestion, trains operate on dedicated rights-of-way which allow them to bypass such congestion. [17]

With the use of bilevel cars, which are tall enough to have two levels of seating, commuter rail services can haul as many as 150 commuters per train car, and over 1,000 per train: much more than the capacity of automobiles and buses. [18] [19]

Railcar

The Bombardier Talent articulated regional railcar Neue Muhle 3.jpg
The Bombardier Talent articulated regional railcar

In British and Australian usage, a "railcar" is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single passenger car (carriage, coach) with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g. the Great Western Railway, used the term "railmotor". If the railcar is able to pull a full train, it is more likely to be called a "motor coach" or a "motor car". [20] The term "railcar" is sometimes also used as an alternative name for the small types of multiple unit that consist of more than one coach.

Rapid transit

Rapid transit trains are trains that operate in urban areas on exclusive rights-of-way in that pedestrians and road vehicles may not access them. [21]

Light rail

Light rails are electrically powered urban passenger trains that run along an exclusive rights-of-way at ground level, raised structures, tunnels, or in streets. Light rail systems generally use lighter equipment that operate at slower speeds to allow for more flexibility in integrating systems into urban environments. [22]

Tram

A tram in Paris, France Citadis 405 ndeg907 a Porte de Choisy par Cramos.JPG
A tram in Paris, France

Trams (also known as streetcars in North America) are a type of passenger train that runs alongside public urban streets on a tramway track, often including segments of right-of-way for passengers and vehicles. [23] [24]

Heritage trains

A British heritage passenger train hauled by the historic Flying Scotsman 'Flying Scotsman' (40944346730).jpg
A British heritage passenger train hauled by the historic Flying Scotsman

Heritage trains are often operated by volunteers, often railfans, as a tourist attraction or as a museum railway. [25] Usually, the trains are formed from historic vehicles retired from national commercial operation that have retained or assumed the character, appearance, and operating practices of railways in their time. Sometimes lines that operate in isolation also provide transport facilities for local people. Much of the equipment used on these trains' systems is original or at least aims to replicate both the look and the operating practices of historic/former railways companies. [26]

Environmental impact

Passenger rail is one of the modes of travel with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. Rail travel emits much less carbon dioxide per mile than air travel (2–27%) or car travel (2–24%). [27]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commuter rail</span> Passenger rail transport services primarily within metropolitan areas

Commuter rail, or suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns. Commuter rail systems are considered heavy rail, using electric or diesel trains. Distance charges or zone pricing may be used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diesel multiple unit</span> Diesel-powered railcar designed to be used in formations of 2 or more cars

A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as DMUs. Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel–mechanical DMMU, diesel–hydraulic DHMU, or diesel–electric DEMU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport</span> Mode of transport

Rail transport is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of land transport, next to road transport. It is used for about 8% of passenger and freight transport globally, thanks to its energy efficiency and potentially high speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Train</span> Series of powered rail vehicles

A train is a series of connected vehicles that run along a railway track and transport people or freight. Trains are typically pulled or pushed by locomotives or railcars, though some are self-propelled, such as multiple units. Passengers and cargo are carried in railroad cars, also known as wagons. Trains are designed to a certain gauge, or distance between rails. Most trains operate on steel tracks with steel wheels, the low friction of which makes them more efficient than other forms of transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-speed rail</span> Fastest rail-based transport systems

High-speed rail (HSR) is a type of rail transport network utilizing trains that run significantly faster than those of traditional rail, using an integrated system of specialized rolling stock and dedicated tracks. While there is no single standard that applies worldwide, lines built to handle speeds above 250 km/h (155 mph) or upgraded lines in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph) are widely considered to be high-speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multiple unit</span> Self-propelled train

A multiple-unit train or simply multiple unit (MU) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more carriages joined, which when coupled to another multiple unit can be controlled by a single driver, with multiple-unit train control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inter-city rail</span> Inter-city passenger rail transport

Inter-city rail services are express trains that run services that connect cities over longer distances than commuter or regional trains. They include rail services that are neither short-distance commuter rail trains within one city area nor slow regional rail trains stopping at all stations and covering local journeys only. An inter-city train is typically an express train with limited stops and comfortable carriages to serve long-distance travel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VR Group</span> State-owned railway company in Finland

VR-Group Plc, commonly known as VR, is a government-owned railway company in Finland. VR's most important function is the operation of Finland's passenger rail services with 250 long-distance and 800 commuter rail services every day. With 7,500 employees and net sales of €1,251 million in 2017, VR is one of the most significant operators in the Finnish public transport market area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First class travel</span> Luxury seating and service on a passenger transport system

First class is the most luxurious and most expensive travel class of seats and service on a train, passenger ship, airplane, bus, or other system of transport. Compared to business class and economy class, it offers the best service and most comfortable accommodation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SJ AB</span> Swedish state railway

SJ is a government-owned passenger train operator in Sweden. SJ was created in 2001, out of the public transport division of Statens Järnvägar, when the former government agency was divided into six separate government-owned limited companies. In 2018, SJ carried 31.8 million passengers.

Căile Ferate Române was the state railway carrier of Romania. The company was dissolved on October 1, 1998 by splitting into several successor companies. As of 2014, the railway network of Romania consists of 10,777 km (6,697 mi), of which 4,029 km (2,504 mi) (37.4%) are electrified. The total track length is 22,247 km (13,824 mi), of which 8,585 km (5,334 mi) (38.5%) are electrified. The CIA World Factbook lists Romania with the 23rd largest railway network in the world. The network is significantly interconnected with other European railway networks, providing pan-European passenger and freight services. CFR as an entity has been operating since 1880, even though the first railway on current Romanian territory was opened in 1854. CFR is divided into four autonomous companies:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vy</span> Norwegian state-owned railway operator

Vygruppen, branded as Vy, formerly the Norwegian State Railways, branded as NSB, is a government-owned railway company which operates most passenger train services and many bus services in Norway. The company is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport. Its sub-brands include Vy Buss coach services, CargoNet freight trains and the Swedish train transport company Tågkompaniet. In 2009, NSB carried 52 million train passengers and 104 million bus passengers. On 24 April 2019, passenger train and bus services were rebranded as Vy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilevel rail car</span> Railroad car with two levels (double decker)

A bilevel car or double-decker coach is a type of rail car that has two levels of passenger accommodation as opposed to one, increasing passenger capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Ireland</span>

Rail transport in Ireland is provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Passenger railroad car</span> Railway car for passenger transport

A passenger railroad car or passenger car, also called a passenger carriage, passenger coach, or passenger bogie is a railroad car that is designed to carry passengers. The term passenger car can also be associated with a sleeping car, a baggage car, a dining car, railway post office and prisoner transport cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elektrichka</span> Eastern Bloc suburban electrical multiple unit passenger train

Elektrichka is a Soviet and Eastern bloc commuter (regional) mostly suburban electrical multiple unit passenger train. Elektrichkas are widespread in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former Warsaw Pact presenting a socially vital mode of transportation. In 2007, 4085 commuter trains a day were running on the Russian Railways network alone, most of them electric. The first elektrichka train on July 6, 1926, along the Baku–Sabunchi line in Soviet Azerbaijan. Also urban (intra-city) gorodskaya elektrichkas and airport's aeroexpresses exist in a few cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneer III</span>

The Pioneer III railcar was a short/medium-distance coach designed and built by the Budd Company in 1956 with an emphasis on weight savings. A single prototype was built, but declines in rail passenger traffic resulted in a lack of orders so Budd re-designed the concept as an electric multiple unit (m.u.). Six of the EMU coach design were purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad with the intention of using them as a high-speed self-contained coach that could be used for long-distance commuter or short-distance intercity travel in the Northeast U.S. The 6 production Pioneer III units were the first all-stainless-steel-bodied EMU railcar built in North America and, at 90,000 pounds (41,000 kg), the lightest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IE 22000 Class</span>

The 22000 Class "InterCity Railcar" is a diesel multiple unit in service with Iarnród Éireann in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TCDD Transport</span> Turkish national train operator

TCDD Transport is a government-owned railway company responsible for the operations of most passenger and freight rail in Turkey. The company was formed on 14 June 2016, splitting off from the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) to take over railway operations, while TCDD would continue to administer railway infrastructure. TCDD Taşımacılık officially began operations on 1 January 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PNR South Main Line</span> Philippine rail line

The PNR South Main Line is one of the two trunk lines that form the Philippine National Railways' network in the island of Luzon, Philippines. It was opened in stages between 1916 and 1938 by the Manila Railroad. Services peaked in the 1940s until the late 1960s, when the system started to decline. Since 1988, it was the only functioning inter-city rail after its counterpart to the north, the North Main Line, was closed. The intercity section of the line in Laguna, Quezon and the Bicol Region was then closed and reopened repeatedly between 2004 and 2014 due to a combination of declining ridership and was closed since then. Currently, only a little more than half of line is operational PNR Metro Commuter Line between Tutuban station and Laguna, Inter-Provincial Commuter from San Pedro to Lucena and the Bicol Commuter regional rail service between Sipocot, Naga Camarines Sur and Legazpi Albay.

References

  1. ↑ "Passenger train definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". Collins Dictionary. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "Definition of PASSENGER TRAIN". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Connecticut Department of Transportation (June 2005). "Final Report: New Haven Hartford Springfield Commuter Rail Implementation Study" (PDF). CT.gov. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Local Heroes – Trevithick's steam locomotive demonstration of 1808, "Catch Me Who Can"". Science Blog. British Library. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Steam train anniversary begins". BBC. 21 February 2004. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "Mumbles Train". swanseamuseum.co.uk. Swansea Museum. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum – 1800–1849 – September 27, 1825 – World's First Passenger Train". www.sbdepotmuseum.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Union Pacific Passenger Trains". www.up.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "First Passenger Trains In America: History, Facts, Photos". American-Rails.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Making a New industry". Scientific American. 112 (23): 544–547. 5 June 1915. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican06051915-544. JSTOR   26022230 . Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Timetable" (PDF). JR Central . Retrieved 2 April 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ "Intercity and High-Speed". International Union of Railways (UIC). Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  13. ↑ Brasor, Philip; Tsubuku, Masako (30 September 2014). "How the Shinkansen bullet train made Tokyo into the monster it is today". the Guardian. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  14. ↑ Central Japan Railway (2006). Central Japan Railway Data Book 2006. p. 16.
  15. ↑ "Overview Of the existing Mumbai Suburban Railway". mrvc.indianrail.gov.in. Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  16. ↑ "Glossary and Acronyms" (PDF). Federal Railroad Administration. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  17. ↑ Yates, Brock (1 August 2001). "A Commuter's Quandary: Take the Plane? The Train? The Car? Or 'Ride the Dog'?". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  18. ↑ Young, David (6 February 1994). "DOUBLE-DECKER TRAINS CHANGED COMMUTING". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  19. ↑ "Single-decker v double-decker trains: Barry O'Farrell's claim doubtful". ABC Online . 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  20. ↑ "Light Railcars and Railbuses – Feature article". Parry People Movers . Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  21. ↑ "rapid transit | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "Light rail and tramways | Office of Rail and Road". www.orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "What is a tram? : TheTrams.co.uk". www.thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "tram". The Free Dictionary. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  25. ↑ "Types of Passenger Rail | States for Passenger Rail Coalition". s4prc.org. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  26. ↑ "Minor and Heritage Railways". orr.gov.uk. Office of Rail and Road. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  27. ↑ Ritchie, Hannah. "Which form of transport has the smallest carbon footprint?". Our World in Data. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.