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Which country has the best trains?

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 5:08 PM

Ironhorseman, I know you're German and so, you defend the German trains but France has undoubtly the best, fastest and most reliable fast trains in all of Europe. The service is good, too. Germany has been trying to beat the French on speed for decades, and so far did only succeed for short periods of time. The French (with the latest double floor TGV's for example) are far ahead, sorry.

 For freight trains, I'd say USA, Canada, Australia, Mauritania have the most impressive trains.

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Posted by ironhorseman on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 12:19 PM
 chefjavier wrote:

What about your friends next door? {French} They have the fastest passenger train.Pirate [oX)]

If I ever get the chance to go there then I'll see. Sure they're the fastest, but how's their service? Like I said about Italy: nice, fast train, but lousy service.

yad sdrawkcab s'ti

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Posted by GDRMCo on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:04 AM

The US may win on the amount of freight hauled but look at the size of the country and the amount of people spread across it. Its kind of a no-brainer there so I'd have to say that the European countries have the best freight network. Its fast, frequent and efficient. Cant say that about the US all the time. 

Euro's win hands down for passenger trains.

For the most scenic, well its up to your opinion, no-one is right and no-one is wrong. But for me, Australia wins hands down overall, best everything IMO, and thats MY opinion.

ML

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Posted by chefjavier on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:17 AM

 tatans wrote:
Peru, of course, or was that Madagascar? or Iwo Jima???? what was the question???

What are you talking about? Confused [%-)]

Javier
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Posted by tatans on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 10:14 AM
Peru, of course, or was that Madagascar? or Iwo Jima???? what was the question???
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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:51 AM
So many variables to consider.  I haven't travelled much outside the US, so I'd say that I don't deserve an opinion.  And I won't offer one.

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Posted by chefjavier on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 9:32 AM
 CNW534 wrote:

It HAS to be India.

Very nice! Priceless.... 

Javier
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Posted by CNW534 on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 2:48 PM

It HAS to be India.

You should see what an SD70ACe does to a dead fish!
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Posted by bnsfkline on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 12:57 PM

For Tonnage and varity: USA

For Passenger and Speed: Japan

For Ugly: All European Countries

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Posted by tutaenui on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 3:28 AM
This is all very subjective. My vote for passenger would be Switzerland, and for freight considering efficiency and productivity it would be the Iron ore railways of Western Australia, but for out and out interest and variety my vote would be the railways of mainland China.
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Posted by RudyRockvilleMD on Monday, December 24, 2007 8:48 PM
I think this is subjective. When it comes to passenger trains Switzerland wins hands down with train frequency, scenery, and the number of places served. When it comes to freight the USA wins hands down on productivity and tonnage hauled. 
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Posted by chefjavier on Monday, December 24, 2007 1:03 PM
 ironhorseman wrote:

Of the five three countries I've riden passenger trains on:

Least stress: Amtrak Superliner: very compfortable seats, most leg room, easy to sleep on.

Cleanest: German ICE: very compfortable for both 1st and 2nd class (I had a little trouble finding my seat). Very new and very well kept trains, fast too.

Fastest: Italy Eurostar: Napoli to Milano was about a 5-6hr ride, very modern conveniences, biggest drawback was it being overbooked and my reservations not being fully recognized, had to pay extra to ride the train and had to stand in snack car for most of the ride.

Most efficient time schedule: Germany, hands down

Most passenger trains to most places: Germany

Least likely to interfere with comute to work: Germany (most of all grade crossing elimated, most all trains are short and fast)

Best train watching oportunities: America (most variety in freight and locomotives, ideal viewing areas)

Overall I'd say Germany has the best railroad system. America has the most impressive equipment and can haul the most freight.

What about your friends next door? {French} They have the fastest passenger train.Pirate [oX)]

Even through you beat them in WWI and WWII. You got to admit they have the fatest train. 

Javier
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Posted by ironhorseman on Monday, December 24, 2007 12:43 PM

Of the five three countries I've riden passenger trains on:

Least stress: Amtrak Superliner: very compfortable seats, most leg room, easy to sleep on.

Cleanest: German ICE: very compfortable for both 1st and 2nd class (I had a little trouble finding my seat). Very new and very well kept trains, fast too.

Fastest: Italy Eurostar: Napoli to Milano was about a 5-6hr ride, very modern conveniences, biggest drawback was it being overbooked and my reservations not being fully recognized, had to pay extra to ride the train and had to stand in snack car for most of the ride.

Most efficient time schedule: Germany, hands down

Most passenger trains to most places: Germany

Least likely to interfere with comute to work: Germany (most of all grade crossing elimated, most all trains are short and fast)

Best train watching oportunities: America (most variety in freight and locomotives, ideal viewing areas)

Overall I'd say Germany has the best railroad system. America has the most impressive equipment and can haul the most freight.

yad sdrawkcab s'ti

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Posted by avenger on Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:26 PM

U.S.A. Duh.

Best diesesls, and track lines

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Posted by morseman on Sunday, December 23, 2007 7:16 PM

for passenger trains I'd vote Switzerland:      Look at all the many routes, the number of various rolling stock (locos and cars), for photograpy, you have the different seasons,  the mountains, the number of tourist trains.   Never been to Switzerland, but just looking thru rr books  and tourist brochures makes me very envious of those who can railfan there.

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Posted by chefjavier on Sunday, December 23, 2007 6:54 PM
 selector wrote:

Best? 

Best looking?  We'll argue that one.

Best behaved?  Ditto.

Best hauling per unit cost?  Same.

And so on....

What does "best" mean?

 

I guest the the best overall company with financials and safety in their minds. Best looking locomotives and stock.  

Javier
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Posted by selector on Sunday, December 23, 2007 4:30 PM

Best? 

Best looking?  We'll argue that one.

Best behaved?  Ditto.

Best hauling per unit cost?  Same.

And so on....

What does "best" mean?

 

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Posted by railfan619 on Sunday, December 23, 2007 4:02 PM
This is the way. I would vote for who has the best trains. I know that north america is not number one in passenger but we are the number one in freight and I even sure some other country maybe better then us in that but no matter where you go everyone has some sort of trouble with railroading.

1.USA (NORTH AMERICA)
2. Canada
3. England
4. Mexico
5. Italy
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Posted by k41361 on Sunday, December 23, 2007 3:58 PM

Passenger not the top 10.With all of our hiways it's no wonder.Freight, no one is even close.The U.S. is no.1

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Posted by AlcoRS11Nut on Sunday, December 23, 2007 3:29 PM
North America...USA, Canada, Mexico
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Posted by bigbird_1 on Sunday, December 23, 2007 3:27 PM
I think the US has unbelievable viewing opportunities. You have main lines running within a few meters of people's homes and local trains running right down the middle of a main street with cars on either side. Now that's cool!
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Posted by Dutchrailnut on Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:53 PM
Germany  or Switserland, the US would not even get in top 10.
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Which country has the best trains?
Posted by hf1001 on Sunday, December 23, 2007 1:46 PM

What country do think has the best trains?   Confused [%-)]

 

I vote United States!

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