So, I myself am a train nut and I live in Britain, so, I might aswell give an overview of our trains. First category: High Speed 1. Intercity 125/HST 125 These units are of capable speed of 148 MPH but only ever reach 125 on mainline routes, these locomotives are well known not only in the British rail network but all over the world. (Intercity swallow 125) Power Type: Diesel Electric Horsepower: 2250 HP p/ powerunit Speed record: 148 MPH Maximum operating speed: 125 MPH 2. Class 220 "Voyager" The class 220 "Voyager" is a less well known train in the UK and oftenly counted as one of the lower spec high speed units in the UK, and often to be complained about noisy engines and cramped interiors. Each engine: 750 HP (Underfloor train, meaning each carriage has its own engine unit) Power Type: Diesel Electric Maximum horsepower: 3000 HP Speed record: 125 MPH Maximum operating speeds: 125 MPH 3. Class 390 "Pendolino" One of the more higher spec units in the UK, Pendolino is a train only operated by Virgin, and built by Italian company Alstom. Power Type: Fully Electric via Pantograph Horsepower: (Unknown) Speed Record: 150-190 MPH Maximum operating speeds: 125 MPH (Due to restrictions with the mainline) 4. Class 395 "Javelin" One of the higher spec high speed units in the UK, the Javelin runs from London to multiple areas in Kent. Power Type: Electric but unknown power source. Speed record: ? Maximum operating speed: 125/148 MPH 5. Hitachi Class 800/801 The Hitachi Class 800 is a true masterpiece in development, with being the first operating in August 2017, these will be able to match the German ICE trains. Power Type: Half Electric half diesel, runs with a pantograph but can also run via a smaller diesel engine under the floor. Speed record: ? Maximum operating speed: 125-150 MPH 6. Intercity Class 225 With these being the electric versions of the Intercity 125, they are well known on the ECML but still one of the less well known trains in the UK, but also currently the fastest! Power type: Fully Electric via Pantograph Power: 6300 HP Maximum operating speed: 125 MPH Speed record: 168 MPH More to come, as my browser is glitching out and I don't want to lose what I've just been typing for 30 minutes.
An overview on American trains: They're slow, expensive, and no one seems to care to change it, unfortunately. The continental United States, is smaller than all of Europe, but is a lot bigger when it comes to space. American cities are too far apart for trains to be useful. The car, plane, and Highway system killed the train in the US. However, in Europe everything is closer, making trains more useful, and efficient. This also keeps fares down. Europe has a much more advanced railway network compared to the US. Also, The HST is a very nice looking train if I do say myself. --- Post updated --- Go Europe!
MMhm. Sadly the last Valenta HST went out of service in 2011 to be replaced by the MTU engine ones...
The Javelin is Multimodal Electric. Operates on 25kV or 12,5kV(CTRL) Overhead or 750V Third Rail similar to the Class 92 as it also Operates Through the Channel Tunnel
Next category: Frequent Stopping So, ill be going through the most well known frequent stopping trains in the UK. 1. Class 140-144 "Pacer" Ahh the infamous Pacer, often considered the rock bottom pinnacle of the British Railways, these trains are often to be complained about being noisy, slow, unreliable, and uncomfortable, the Pacer was originally designed off of old Leyland buses, and then stuck to freight wagons, which causes horrible squeaking, don't forget, old bus bench seating. (A class 142 and a class 143 next to each other) Power type: Fully diesel Power: 2+ 205 HP engines equating to 410 HP Maximum operating speed: 75 MPH Speed record: 75 MPH 2. Class 158 "Super Sprinter" The Super Sprinter is a modified version of the "Sprinter" which was originally to take place in having more comfortable trains on long country routes instead of ghastly Pacers. Power Type: Fully Diesel Power 2/3 400 HP Diesel Cummins engines but there are also other selections. Maximum Operating speed: 75-90 MPH Speed record: 95 MPH These are the only ones I can remember... I would choose a few others aswell but I forgot their class name.
But Americans don't use trains anymore except for cargo, in Canada, I take the train from Halifax to Montreal each summer for a vacation, I was heartbroken when I heard they where thinking about closing it, because it's a great ride
I mean there are steam trains up in georgia and such, but passenger trains are more commute in rural areas, spaced out areas like down here in florida, every few hours would be a passenger train to a diffrent sta.e/town. its depressing to see a empty station at tampa union.
