How many years behind the Europeans is the American rail industry?

Question

How many years behind the Europeans is the American rail industry?

Answer 1

The US is number one in the amount of freight that we haul. But as for passenger service, we are way behind. The US will never be able to match the Europeans in this. When you can fit 3/4 of the US into the state of CA, then we will be able to compete with them. The US is just to big for mass transit.

Answer 2

Well said, boys......

Answer 3

Not as many as the UK is behind the rest of Europe

Answer 4

As an American who has never been to Europe (although I would like to someday), I think you need to know the following...

Yes, America is behind Europe in terms of Train Transportation for passenger usage, however it isn't a popular mode of transportation here.  The American rail industry is mostly for transporting goods (not people), and animals across our 3,000 mile country.

If we have to go far, we fly.

We have very comfortable streamlined 'Metro' (train) systems within various cities which have nothing to do with our rail industry.

Also, our most common mode of transportation is a car.  I would guess that 90% of Americans have their own car (at least one per person), and don't need to share the ride with others.  Personally, I have 2 BMW's, and a scooter (The scooter is for fun around the local streets, nothing else) - all just for me.  Most Americans aren't any different.  We want to get from Point A to Point B, and not be bothered.  I don't drive others around unless I want to.  Most wives own a Hummer or an SUV to drive their kids to outdoor activities, and the grocery stores.

So, although we are behind your rail system in terms of passenger usage of trains, we don't really care to travel that way and usually don't.  It seems that the only people who take trains across the country or go from state to state that way, are the older people who are afraid of flying in an airplane.

Answer 5

You are thinking in geological terms here...

Answer 6

I would say in terms of up - to - date equipment, US is about 10 - 20 years behind the UK. I think the UK is 10 - 20 years behind the rest of Europe. Having said that, my company is now introducing new state of the art signalling centres across the country. The trains though, need modernisation

Answer 7

I don't know about the rest of Europe but they are miles behind us in the UK.

I've heard that American trains run on time and everything.  They've got a lot of catching up to do before they are as overcrowded, overpriced and as dangerous as our rail system.

Answer 8

Ah, a troll in the rail section!

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In what terms are we speaking?

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In terms of hauling freight America has always been light years ahead of Europe and the rest of th world.

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In terms of Passenger trains, who cares?

We have cheap cars, cheap gas and great roads and even  

greater scenery to drive through.

I have used Amtrak several times and I enjoyed the trip.

But to get around when I want and how I want, I use a car.

Answer 9

They aren't behind Europe.

The latest rail freight locomotives used in the UK are made in Canada by a north American company. They're superior to the old 'home made' deisels (but apparently not as comfy fro the driver).

The US has a superb train control system and pioneered container trains (they even have double-deck conatiner trains).

It's their marketing that may leave something to be desired compared with SNCF or DB. Compared with the UK rail mess they have nothing to worry about.

Answer 10

ABOUT  50 YEARS

Answer 11

Do you want to know EXACTLY how many years? And you think that here on Yahoo you'll get the correct answer...

OK. Here it is: 9 years, 4 months, 8 days and an hour and a half behind.

How do I know? How, the h**l, can anybody know for sure?

Answer 12

The railways have developed for very different needs, in Europe passenger transport is very important as congestion on roads and in the old days border crossing gave rail a big advantage.

In the States the rail industry is geared up to moving goods long distances and as a result passenger usage is a secondary business.

Safety as a result is a long way behind with separation of different types of dangerous goods amounts other things not taken to seriously hence when things go wrong you get some spectacular results.

In Europe Freight has to fit in with the passenger services and in the UK this means running at speed but with sufficient breaking capability to stop safely withing the requirements of the signalling system.

Don't know if any of that is of help.