Hi everyone, I'm new to the train scene (fell down a wikipedia rabbithole a few days ago) - so please be gentle! ;)
There's a huge number of railways being built across Africa, mostly with a 'Chinese National Railway Class 1 Standard'. However, I couldn't find any info as to whether this meant that all things related to the trains would have the Chinese version of a standard, e.g. the Chinese Train Control System Vs European Train Control System, etc.
It's fascinating to me how decisions on standards made now will most likely impact the outcome of railways all across the African continent for decades.
N.B. I read that the Chinese Train Control System and European Train Control System are 'extremely similar' just how similar does this mean? Could you move the control machines from China to Europe and have them work? Similarly, how similar are the other Chinese standards to Western counterparts? High speed rail seems to be far more prevalent in China than in the West, is this a function of superior standards/control systems etc. allowing them to be built or simply that there's not as much demand for it over here?
Only three so far, that I am aware of: Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia. China takes the position the investments are altruistic. But if you dig a little you will see they are in Chinas strategic and national interest that happens to overlap with the local need.
Ethiopia's is controversial because of the debt that the railway put the country in will take generations to pay off and the general feeling was China could have implemented a railway system with less frills for far less than what they were charged, so some buyers remorse in Ethiopia. But other Ethiopians like it so it is kind of a mixed bag. With the Ethiopian investment China got a fairly large military base near Djibouti, Ethiopia which will allow it to project military power near the approaches to the Suez Canal.
Kenya's was really built to move containers to inland ports faster so Chinese frieghters could turn around faster at the Countries ports, so in the case of Kenya the decision was one of Chinese shipping efficiency more than passenger carriage. China can now ship more goods to the country and their ships can turnaround and head out of port faster with outbound containers.
Random TrainspotterHi everyone, I'm new to the train scene (fell down a wikipedia rabbithole a few days ago) - so please be gentle! ;) There's a huge number of railways being built across Africa, mostly with a 'Chinese National Railway Class 1 Standard'. However, I couldn't find any info as to whether this meant that all things related to the trains would have the Chinese version of a standard, e.g. the Chinese Train Control System Vs European Train Control System, etc. It's fascinating to me how decisions on standards made now will most likely impact the outcome of railways all across the African continent for decades. N.B. I read that the Chinese Train Control System and European Train Control System are 'extremely similar' just how similar does this mean? Could you move the control machines from China to Europe and have them work? Similarly, how similar are the other Chinese standards to Western counterparts? High speed rail seems to be far more prevalent in China than in the West, is this a function of superior standards/control systems etc. allowing them to be built or simply that there's not as much demand for it over here?
The Chinese are financing and building railways across the 3rd World - they are expanding their 'World Footprint', especially since neither Western Democracies or the Russian see the 'direct profit' from doing what the Chinese are doing.
To a greater extent than no - both the West and Russia view railroads as 20th Century technology and not worth persuing in expanding political influence.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
No sure what the OP wants but some of our questions
1. Same 27 point MU cables ?
2. What brake system ? 26L? Brake line pressure ?
3. Standard knuckle coupler ?
4. Any tier type emissions restrictions ?
5. Control stand ?
blue streak 1No sure what the OP wants but some of our questions 1. Same 27 point MU cables ? 2. What brake system ? 26L? Brake line pressure ? 3. Standard knuckle coupler ? 4. Any tier type emissions restrictions ? 5. Control stand ?
Considering all the assistance and equipment the USA put into restoring European railroads after WW II, I am surprised that USA practices, procedures and styles of equipment left such a limited lasting footprint.
If the Chinese are building it, it will be done with Chinese equipment and procedures.
blue streak 1 No sure what the OP wants but some of our questions 1. Same 27 point MU cables ? 2. What brake system ? 26L? Brake line pressure ? 3. Standard knuckle coupler ? 4. Any tier type emissions restrictions ? 5. Control stand ?
I think the OP is asking about the type of signalling/positive train control being used.
Jeff
China uses our AAR coupler, and barber style bogies for their freight cars.
jeffhergert blue streak 1 No sure what the OP wants but some of our questions 1. Same 27 point MU cables ? 2. What brake system ? 26L? Brake line pressure ? 3. Standard knuckle coupler ? 4. Any tier type emissions restrictions ? 5. Control stand ? I think the OP is asking about the type of signalling/positive train control being used. Jeff
I know only of CNR diesels that were built domestically, under license by GE, and EMD have 27P MU capability. I.e. the HXN5 which was a GE product. When it comes to their electric locos in freight service. They are twin section (same as Russia, Mongolia, and CIS nations of central Asia) locomotives without MU capability.
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