General Discussion (Trains.com)

I am curious about the level of interest among Trains readers in foreign railroads. Certainly North American railroading logically dominate the interest range, but do readers and forum participants crave information about overseas rail systems? If so, what sources are tapped to learn and stay informed about them?

Incidentally, I work in Taiwan where the rail infrastructure was built during Japanese occupation. The passenger train is still a wonderful mainstay of public transportation here.

Thanks,

Glenn

I am curious about the level of interest among Trains readers in foreign railroads. Certainly North American railroading logically dominate the interest range, but do readers and forum participants crave information about overseas rail systems? If so, what sources are tapped to learn and stay informed about them?

Incidentally, I work in Taiwan where the rail infrastructure was built during Japanese occupation. The passenger train is still a wonderful mainstay of public transportation here.

Thanks,

Glenn

My level of interest in trains outside the US is passive, that is to say, I don't actively seek any information. But, when I spot something in a book or tv show or magazine about foreign railroads I always take the time read or watch or whatever the case may be. If I'm in the library you can bet I'll go through everybook on trains no matter what country it's from.[;)] But while in a bookstore at the magazine racks I've picked up one of those Briti***rain magazines and flipped through it only to find it confusing because it talks about peoples, areas, cities, businesses and stuff that I'm totally unfamiliar with and I find myself just looking at the pictures instead. But who here in America doesn't get all excited when they read an article that contains a map with their hometown on it? Let alone an article about the region they live in?

Yes, we're all interested in what goes on in the area we live, but I've found that foreign rail can be exciting, too. Primarily my interests have been in South African trains, Austrailian trains, and Swiss trains. Why these? Probably it's the amout of exposure I've had to them, the number times I've run across information from there. For instance, I'm facinated by those big steam engines, the ones with driving wheels on either end. And the V/Line from Austrailia had interesting diesel locos. But the Swiss rails look the most attractive after having watched that TV show on PBS some years ago.

When I was on the track team at my university there we had students come from all over the world. I was telling one girl fromt he Czech Republic how I always wanted to ride those Swiss trains. She then wanted to know why not ride in the Czech Rebuplic? We'll truth is I've never seen anything on before, that's why. She told me how you can get on a train and ride all over Europe.

Also, I learned from one of our French students that TGV is French for "Very Fast Train." I think I kinda surprised him that I knew of this train.

My international interest in trains has only recently expanded upon acuiring Microsoft Train Simulator. With 2 Japanese routes, the Austrian portion the Orient Express, and the Flying Scotsman (on the wrong RR line historically, I'm told) in Britain, plus that Railroad Tycoon II computer game only fuels my interest of foreign trains even more.

In my case, all I need is for it to come to my attention, but I rarely actively pursue foreign interest. But since you've brought this topic up I'll probably be researching the subject a little more in the next couple weeks. [:)]

My level of interest in trains outside the US is passive, that is to say, I don't actively seek any information. But, when I spot something in a book or tv show or magazine about foreign railroads I always take the time read or watch or whatever the case may be. If I'm in the library you can bet I'll go through everybook on trains no matter what country it's from.[;)] But while in a bookstore at the magazine racks I've picked up one of those Briti***rain magazines and flipped through it only to find it confusing because it talks about peoples, areas, cities, businesses and stuff that I'm totally unfamiliar with and I find myself just looking at the pictures instead. But who here in America doesn't get all excited when they read an article that contains a map with their hometown on it? Let alone an article about the region they live in?

Yes, we're all interested in what goes on in the area we live, but I've found that foreign rail can be exciting, too. Primarily my interests have been in South African trains, Austrailian trains, and Swiss trains. Why these? Probably it's the amout of exposure I've had to them, the number times I've run across information from there. For instance, I'm facinated by those big steam engines, the ones with driving wheels on either end. And the V/Line from Austrailia had interesting diesel locos. But the Swiss rails look the most attractive after having watched that TV show on PBS some years ago.

When I was on the track team at my university there we had students come from all over the world. I was telling one girl fromt he Czech Republic how I always wanted to ride those Swiss trains. She then wanted to know why not ride in the Czech Rebuplic? We'll truth is I've never seen anything on before, that's why. She told me how you can get on a train and ride all over Europe.

Also, I learned from one of our French students that TGV is French for "Very Fast Train." I think I kinda surprised him that I knew of this train.

My international interest in trains has only recently expanded upon acuiring Microsoft Train Simulator. With 2 Japanese routes, the Austrian portion the Orient Express, and the Flying Scotsman (on the wrong RR line historically, I'm told) in Britain, plus that Railroad Tycoon II computer game only fuels my interest of foreign trains even more.

In my case, all I need is for it to come to my attention, but I rarely actively pursue foreign interest. But since you've brought this topic up I'll probably be researching the subject a little more in the next couple weeks. [:)]

I am infatuated with European high-speed passenger rail...particularly the TGV Duplex, ICE and Thalys. From my web surfing, I gather Europeans, in general, are not into railfanning the way we are in the US (maybe they compare in individual passion, but not in shear numbers). I also collect rail art, and have not found any good prints or pieces of modern European trains.

Interesting, now that Mexico is modernizing its rail systems, many US railfans, always enamored with Canadian rail, are starting to pay attention to rail news from South of the Border.

I am infatuated with European high-speed passenger rail...particularly the TGV Duplex, ICE and Thalys. From my web surfing, I gather Europeans, in general, are not into railfanning the way we are in the US (maybe they compare in individual passion, but not in shear numbers). I also collect rail art, and have not found any good prints or pieces of modern European trains.

Interesting, now that Mexico is modernizing its rail systems, many US railfans, always enamored with Canadian rail, are starting to pay attention to rail news from South of the Border.

My interest in overseas railroading was aided by the Internet, which made a lot more information of all sorts available. I prefer those railroads which have a bit of a North American appearance, such as Australia, Brazil, and those countries where the various export designs of the North American builders are operated.

My interest in overseas railroading was aided by the Internet, which made a lot more information of all sorts available. I prefer those railroads which have a bit of a North American appearance, such as Australia, Brazil, and those countries where the various export designs of the North American builders are operated.

I try to find as much information as I can about railroads outside the US. I regularly acces Erik's Railnews (web site) and have correspondence with a fellow in the UK and another in Switzerland although not on a regular basis.

My fundamental interest is in passenger and find it sad how far behind the rest of the world the US is when it comes to passenger operations. I know the reasons but still find it hard to accept and note with some satisfaction the increase in heavy rail commuter operations in recent years.

In summary, not only in railroads but in general we in the US tend to be far too insular when it comes to the world in which we live.

I try to find as much information as I can about railroads outside the US. I regularly acces Erik's Railnews (web site) and have correspondence with a fellow in the UK and another in Switzerland although not on a regular basis.

My fundamental interest is in passenger and find it sad how far behind the rest of the world the US is when it comes to passenger operations. I know the reasons but still find it hard to accept and note with some satisfaction the increase in heavy rail commuter operations in recent years.

In summary, not only in railroads but in general we in the US tend to be far too insular when it comes to the world in which we live.