Is there such a thing as a double decker train?

Question

When I use one(UK), I often have to stand due to overcrowding.

Answer 1

The USA has wonderful cars called Superliners that are fully double decked, with the intercar doors up high.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superliner_...

"GO cars" are excellent double deck commuter rail cars. They are single deck over the wheels and double deck in the middle, thus having a distinctive "octagon" shape.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_...

For many years, only Toronto used them (thus "GO", Government of Ontario).  But in the 1980s many American cities started new commuter railroads, and they all went with GO cars. (except for VRE and MARC, because of low tunnels and bridges.)  

The American east coast and Europe have issues with tunnel and bridge clearances, and the U.K. is the worst of all. (comes from having built your railroads first.)   UK is about the only one I know of that doesn't have some sort of attempt at double deck coaches, but if the bridge height isn't there, there's nothing you can do.

Answer 2

The passenger car, sure

We use them here in the US, Caltrain specifically

http://cs.verilogix.net/temp/PBAS4052%5C...

Answer 3

yes

ive been on one in holland.

its fun

Answer 4

yes there is. One goes from london to dartford

Answer 5

Not in the UK but I think there is one in Spain if I remember.

Answer 6

not in the UK but I think they have a sort of one in the USA...observation car it called

Answer 7

They have them in Europe and the USA, because the height restrictions on the railways there are more generous than in the UK.

In 1947 the then Southern Railway built 2 double-decker trains for use on the 3rd rail electric London suburban system operating out of stations south of the Thames, e.g. Waterloo, Victoria. They each had 4 carriages and were known as the 4DD class trains.

Unfortunately, because of the lower height restriction on the UK railways they were not a success. Passengers complained that they were cramped and uncomfortable to travel in. They tended to be used only during peak rush-hour times when demand for rolling stock was at its height. After about 20 years they were withdrawn, compare that with a service life of around 40 years for single-deck rolling stock built around the same time.

Answer 8

While they have them in France, Germany, Holland, and other countries, they wouldn't work in the UK - since we built our railways first our tunnels and bridges were basically designed to fit mid-19th century trains and it would cost a fortune to adapt the system to allow real double deckers.

In the late 1940s they did build a couple of two-car double-decker units for use between Dartford and London, but because of the small loading gauge they had to be designed so that the upper and lower decks sort-of interleaved like how you riffle a deck of cards, and it took longer than usual for people to get on and off the trains, which sort of defeated the object of the exercise!

Answer 9

YEah in France they have them they are so cool

Answer 10

In other countries yes there are, however in the UK no, unfortunatley our Victorian system does not allow the height and width of a double decker service.  Indeed some of the older areas of the rail system does not even accomodate some of the rolling stock we now have and restrictions are placed on them as to how they run and where.

To replace the stations, upgrade track, rebuild bridges and tunnels just is not cost effective and would close sections of tracks for years.  

Remember some of the Mainlines in the UK are still run on Semifore signalling Absoloute Block system or track token workings where a train grabs a token from one signalman and gives it to another before any other train can use that piece of track! And thats in the South East Commuter Areas of England, not in the wilds of the UK.

Answer 11

they have them in France It think theyre great, I would love them introduced in the UK but it would cost billions to adapt all the track and signals etc  to make it suitable

Answer 12

They have them in some countries, but I don't think I have ever seen them in the U.K.

Answer 13

NO!!!

they would crash into tunnels

Answer 14

Double decker trains are common in many countries all arount the world,  particularly on suburban lines. France also have "Duplex" TGV high speed doubledecker trainsets.

The advantage of double deckers are to increase train capacity for the same platform length.

However, I dont know if there are doubledeckers in UK, due to low UK tunnels clearance.

Answer 15

Yes they use them in Sydney, Australia and they have some in Melbourne, but for some stupid reason they are not using them, possibly because they won't fit the underground, but that would be a lamebrain excuse.

Answer 16

Not in the UK, but they do in USA and Europe.

Answer 17

yep they have them in france! its a cracking idea!

Answer 18

Yes,

they have them here in the US.

Top level is coach,

bottom level has a lounge.

Answer 19

You betcha.

In the US, we carry freight containers stacked two high as well.

Answer 20

Yes... Their awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 21

Amtrak has bi-level cars, very nice, roomy, comfortable, guiet and nice smooth ride

Answer 22

i don't know about this country but there is in amsterdam, i've been on one myself

Answer 23

yeh ive been on one in czech republic