General Train Discussion

[Jmrocky]

Have you ridden the HSR rocky? Where was that reported? All seems good to me but how would you ever know?

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/report-china-rail-section-collapse-075310796.html

Have not ridden it, to be honest I don't think I would. I know they are trying to resolve issues with the network.

A former work mate of mine worked in China on and off in the past few years, and has Chinese family. Initially he was telling me how bad some of the construction was.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

rocky is that report not 4yrs old?

 

[Jmrocky]

rocky is that report not 4yrs old?

In other words, all issues have been resolved and business as usual?

It's the engineering triangle of low cost, high quality or short time as the advantages. You pick 2 out of 3. Guess which 2 the Chinese have selected?

 

[medhead]

This is how most metro systems operate around the world. Dedicated rolling stock to dedicated lines. It means if there is an issue on one line it doesn't affect the rest of the network. It has been proven to be the most efficient way of running metro systems. Australia's suburban mash of networks just don't stand up to this.

It is also the long term vision for Melbourne's rail network. Segregating the lines into end to end not terminating in the city as they all do now but running through. One issue is the unions and their ridiculous requirements of dictating drivers can't be allocated just to one line. They would get a rude shock if they had to drive trains in say Japan. Train drivers in Aus earn crazy money.

Most of the Sydney lines are currently end to end not terminating in the city. Crazy to disrupt that. The main issue is slow loading of the current rolling stock. Why not just change to a metro style train on existing lines?

 

[UP4014]

Most of the Sydney lines are currently end to end not terminating in the city. Crazy to disrupt that. The main issue is slow loading of the current rolling stock. Why not just change to a metro style train on existing lines?

Sydney siders like to sit down, especailly on longer runs.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

In other words, all issues have been resolved and business as usual?

It's the engineering triangle of low cost, high quality or short time as the advantages. You pick 2 out of 3. Guess which 2 the Chinese have selected?

Well it's certainly business as usual - do you have any idea of the number of HSR movements have occurred in last 4+ yrs - and in this day and age even the Chinese Govt can't keep a lid on any negative event.

I am certainly no defender / apologist for the Chinese Govt I am not 100% convinced your simplistic analysis of HSR construction is totally accurate - but then I am only a simple regular layman visitor / traveller.

 

[Jmrocky]

Well it's certainly business as usual - do you have any idea of the number of HSR movements have occurred in last 4+ yrs - and in this day and age even the Chinese Govt can't keep a lid on any negative event.

I am certainly no defender / apologist for the Chinese Govt I am not 100% convinced your simplistic analysis of HSR construction is totally accurate - but then I am only a simple regular layman visitor / traveller.

You can count the number of serious HSR crashes around the world on 1 hand over a 50 year period. China has one, with an operating network life of less than 10 years.

My analysis is simplistic, but it's a widely known engineering/construction saying for a good reason. I could go on, but read into the Wenzhou incident to really understand what went wrong.

I appreciate their "can do" attitude with HSR, but too often it comes at the behest of quality engineering and control. Not something that I would wish to see mimicked here just for the sake of it.

 

[UP4014]

Well it's certainly business as usual - do you have any idea of the number of HSR movements have occurred in last 4+ yrs - and in this day and age even the Chinese Govt can't keep a lid on any negative event.

I am certainly no defender / apologist for the Chinese Govt I am not 100% convinced your simplistic analysis of HSR construction is totally accurate - but then I am only a simple regular layman visitor / traveller.

China bullet train crash 'caused by design flaws' - BBC News

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Well these 4.5yr old reports should be enough to see China's HSR closed down completely - last time I'll ride these suckers!

 

[UP4014]

Well these 4.5yr old reports should be enough to see China's HSR closed down completely - last time I'll ride these suckers!

Lucky no one complains over there, a bit like I don't read anyone complaining about aircraft noise.

 

[leadman]

Just reading these posts sitting on the KTX (South Korea) from Gwang Ju to Young San. Just hit 297 km/h and the train is moving seamlessly. And the internet connection even better! Travelling on the UK trains you are lucky to hold a connection for more than 5 minutes. The KTX is clean, efficient and no graffiti. (no idiot has scratched their name into the glass/PC panels)

 

[clifford]

(no idiot has scratched their name into the glass/PC panels)

You've seen that on Virgin West Coast line trains in the UK? I've never seen it and I travel that line quite a lot.

Also, lots of graffiti on Italian regional trains, but not so on the high speed trains (Trenitalia Freccia and Italo).

 

[UP4014]

You've seen that on Virgin West Coast line trains in the UK? I've never seen it and I travel that line quite a lot.

Also, lots of graffiti on Italian regional trains, but not so on the high speed trains (Trenitalia Freccia and Italo).

Pretty hard to get to/at the high speed trains, 50km/h one is a different story. I've seen trains here in Sydney hit by taggers whilst moving although not very well and I was far enough down the back to prepare a fizzy coke bottle to spray as we went past, even exiting one of the carriage/train washers (just like a big car wash) in Sydney. What about workers on one side of a locomotive working and spray painters hitting the other side in the workshop!

Maybe toughen up a bit on the punishment side, I've even had the BAM hit whilst inside a shed inside a security fenced area.

 

[amaroo]

I like the old fashion ways...

[video=youtube;QyT9jTW7MHc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyT9jTW7MHc[/video]

 

[woodyren]

Maybe we need to get the Chinese to build it - it'll be finished this year! They certainly have the experience and technology - just ask Siemens - and maybe they should operate it too - i'll bet each train departs on time - anybody who has used CRH trains in China will understand exactly what I mean

Just found this thread and starting from the beginning so a little late in backing up this post. High speed rail in China is a great way to travel.
My first experience was the short Beijing to Tianjin trip in 2010. 350kph top speed and a little over 30mins for the 150klm trip. I booked a VIP seat which was situated in a small cabin directly behind the driver with a clear glass section between the cabin and the driver with view of the driver and track ahead. Unfortunately these have now been made opaque.

Since then have travelled Beijing-Shenyang many times, Shenyang-Harbin, Shanghai-Shenyang, Xian-Beijing on high speed. Easy links into metro systems from the main stations. Always on time.

 

[muliama]

A train pathetic I am....but the price of the Aussie "luxury" trains is even more pathetic.

However I did have a win, a big win.. Always wanted to go to Longreach to see Qantas museum and Stockmans' Hall of Fame, and come back on the Spirit of the Outback. I booked the latter months ahead requesting a single couchette facing forward. They promised to see what they could do.

My trip was in February 2014 and after flying to Longreach and having a thoroughly good time, I left for the station early. Train was in, and that was it. Nary a soul anywhere. Then a head popped out from the club car and said "you must be Mr Daniels. Welcome. You're our only passenger. Take your pick of the cabins." Ant it was true. 12 cars, dining and club car and me...all the way to Brisbane.

Thank heavens for State owned railways. Imagine the Ghan running with just one passenger. it was a fabulous trip.. The club car lady served my first G and T at 9 am and we didn't look back from there. Barramundi for lunch, and almost a whole side of beef for dinner. The Granite Belt wine was good, The cook was great, the crew were incredible.

They comfided in me on the way up to Longreach there were actually TWO passengers.

After a wonderful 24 hours, as we were about to arrive in Brisbane i proffered to the two ladies who looked after me, an gratuity. There were looks of horror on their faces. 'It'd be worth our jobs to accept a tip love! Just glad to have ya" Imagine that in America?

 

[PineappleSkip]

'It'd be worth our jobs to accept a tip love! Just glad to have ya" Imagine that in America?

Can't. A few transcontinental rides on Amtrak always with a cabin attendant collecting tips at the door. Big tips. From everyone.

Cheers skip

 

[amaroo]

Anyone got experience of the Pacific Railway (Copper Canyon), Mexico? Thinking about fitting this in on our Mexican adventure next year.

Riding The Pacific Railway Through Mexico’s Copper Canyon - Indie Traveller




* image lifted from the sensational trip report linked above

 

[wandering_fred]

I suspect my trip through the Copper Canyon in 1973 would not be very relevant now. Especially since I took the DMU (?) from Ojinaga (Presidio TX) to Chihuahua to connect to/from it... Ah the innocence of youth...

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Warks]

Okay so I'm about to book the Amtrak Cascades train from Vancouver to Seattle. The train only runs at 0630 and some evening slot. They also sell bus tickets every hour during the day. It takes half an hour less but train's the way to go for me.
Pretty cheap too (cheaper than the bus) at $US32. I was about to book when I saw "business class" was $US55. I was wondering if it was worth it. On Countrylink (NSW) you book First Class basically to escape the bogan/feral element and pay twice as much. This isn't as expensive but I imagine this train is probably half empty anyway so may not be any advantage. Still we're only talking small change in the scheme of things.