Rail
Table of Contents
Introduction
This page is intended to cover the pros, cons, and other considerations for the many types of rail transit.
To learn about existing or planned railway systems and routes that you can use, please click the Railway Systems button.
Types of Rail Transport
Active Transport
Unlike most types of rail, these types use human energy and strength to power users along a track.
The new schweeb design has electric assist, and rail bikes could probably use electric assist too.
Railbike
Railbikes can be regular bikes with an outrigger (a swinging arm with a 3rd wheel). Other designs are more like pedal-powered buggies with seating for multiple riders.
Shweeb
Shweeb Racer "is the World's first human powered monorail racetrack. These aerodynamic pedal powered racing pods are suspended 2m above the ground on a 200m overhead track. They have recently been modified with electrics providing more speed than ever before." "Located within New Zealand's leading adventure park - Velocity Valley, Rotorua. The Shweeb Racer is one of six adventure activities located within this adrenaline park. We open 9am - 5pm everyday and operate in all weather conditions. Located 10 minute drive from the Rotorua city"
4:44 minute video showing the shweeb in action
Pros Easy enough for people from 3 to 90 to use. The newer model has electric assistance. Fun and fast, can allow people to travel over delicate ecosystems, flooding, and wildlife without direct contact or safety risk to humans, plants, or animals. Enclosed from rain, wind, and snow.
Cons Expensive and complex to build. No ability to overtake other riders. Not recommended for people in skirts, dresses, kilts, or similar clothing. Would require maintenance and monitoring for safety. Less flexible use than regular bike lanes.
Dual Rail
Bullet Train
"The bullet train, or “Shinkansen”, is a type of passenger train which operates on Japan’s high-speed railway network. Capable of reaching a maximum speed of 320kms per hour, the bullet train offers riders an exceptionally unique and efficient travel experience. The list of Shinkansen train lines include the Akita, Hokuriku, Joetsu, Kyushu, and Yamagata. While some routes are especially popular among travelers – Tokyo to Nagano, Tokyo to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima – all feature frequent, timely departures throughout the week." - ACP Rail
Diesel
Freight
Funicular
Pro: These are angled to take specific routes up and down a sharp incline, allowing rail transit in places that would usually be too hilly for rails to be practical.
Con: These are generally very short travel distances, specifically up and down just one slope. Since some stations consist of a set of steps, these will not be easily accessible for people with disabilities, balance problems, or carrying unweildy objects.
Hydrail
"In transportation, hydrail is the generic term describing all forms of rail vehicles, large or small, which use on-board hydrogen fuel as a source of energy to power the traction motors, or the auxiliaries, or both. Hydrail vehicles use the chemical energy of hydrogen for propulsion, either by burning hydrogen in a hydrogen internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors. Widespread use of hydrogen for fueling rail transportation is a basic element of the proposed hydrogen economy. The term has been used by research scholars and technicians around the world.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Hydrail vehicles are usually hybrid vehicles with renewable energy storage, such as batteries or super capacitors, for regenerative braking, improving efficiency and lowering the amount of hydrogen storage required. Potential hydrail applications include all types of rail transport: commuter rail; passenger rail; freight rail; light rail; rail rapid transit; mine railways; industrial railway systems; trams; and special rail rides at parks and museums."
"The development of lighter and more capable fuel cells has increased the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles. According to Canadian company Hydrogenics, in 2001, its 25 kW fuel cell weighed 290 kg and had an efficiency ranging between 38 and 45 per cent; however, by 2017, they were producing more powerful and compact fuel cells weighing 72 kg and with an efficiency between 48 and 55 per cent, a roughly fivefold increase in power density.[10] According to Rail Engineer, the use of hydrogen propulsion on certain types of trains, such as freight locomotives or high-speed trains, is less attractive and more challenging than on lower-powered applications, such as shunting locomotives and multiple units.[10] The publication also observes that pressure to cut emissions within the railway industry is likely to play a role in stimulating demand for the uptake of hydrail.[10] "
Hydrolley
"A hydrolley is a term for a streetcar or tram (trolley) powered by hydrail technology. The term (for hydrogen trolley) was coined at the Fourth International Hydrail Conference, Valencia, Spain, in 2008, as a research-simplifying search engine target word. Onboard hydrogen-derived power eliminates the need for overhead trolley arms and track electrification, greatly reducing construction cost, reducing visual pollution and eliminating the maintenance expense of track electrification. The term 'hydrolley' is preferred to 'hydrail light rail' or other combinations which might connote external electrification.[citation needed]" - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrail
Metro
Tram/Trolley/Streetcars
Pro: These can travel along roads either intermingling with traffic or with their own, private lanes to help prevent accidents.
They can be installed over grass, meaning cooler surface areas than traditional roads, and additional permeable space to absorb rain and run off.
How trams are changing France 11:49 minute video
Single Rail
Mag Lev
Pro: These trains can move faster than bullet trains.
Con: These are expensive to build.
Monorail
Pro: These are suspended above ground level which means they can have a very small footprint compared to other modes of transportation. These can traverse steep gradients and are very useful in agricultural or other industrial settings, when ride comfort is not a primary concern.
Con: Their single track makes switching tracks particularly tricky, and the end of a track generally has no safeguard. Parts are difficult to deal with, maintain, and the additional height adds another element of danger to workers. They have low compatibility with other forms of traffic. If the monorail breaks down and isn't near a station, people can become trapped inside, due to the elevation.
Why Monorails Are Bad as Public Transport
9:26 minute video talks about the pros and cons of monorails.
Maps
International
Night Trains World Map Or click here to see night train routes by continent.
Open Railway Map Interactive map shows branch lines, main lines, high-speed lines, tracks under construction/proposed tracks, disused tracks, etc.
World Map - Major Rail Network "The world map for Major Rail networks around the world showing different railway zones and major connecting cities."
Abandoned Tracks
Abandoned & Out-of-Service Railroad Lines "Visit our blog at frrandp.com where you can also download RailROWMap on iOS and Android today! A map of abandoned and out-of-service railroad lines."
Africa
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Malawi
Malawi Railway Map shows the rail network of Malawi, find different railway zones and major cities railway line.
Asia
Armenia
Metro Yerevan site is in Armenian.
Metro Schematics in Russian and at least one other language.
Georgia
Tbilisi METRO Map trilinagual
Japan
Jordan
Europe
Finland
Norway
Spain
AVE High-Speed Train "With 3,100km of track the Spanish high-speed AVE trains operate on the longest high-speed network in Europe. Running at speeds of up to 310 km/h this extensive network allows for fast connections between cities in Spain. Travel from Madrid to Barcelona in less than 3 hours! This modern train system connects many cities across Spain from Madrid and Barcelona, to Córdoba, Seville, Málaga and Valencia."
UK
High-Speed Network Map "HS2 will integrate with new high-speed lines and upgrades across Britain’s existing rail system to deliver faster travel to many towns and cities across Britain not directly on the HS2 route, including Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby."
North America
Canada
VIA Rail Canada: Explore Canada by Train "Discover our destinations and prepare to embark on a journey you won't forget. With stations in eight provinces and routes crossing Canada from coast to coast, we are ready to take you wherever you want to go."
Mexico
USA
Texas
Texas Central High Speed Train Alignment Map "In response to stakeholder requests, the map[s were] prepared and made available to allow users to zoom in and view the latest version of the proposed high-speed train alignment. This updated route reflects input from thousands of stakeholders, including landowners, state and federal agencies and others and is currently under review by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)."
Groups
Rails To Trails Initiative "At Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, we are building a nation connected by trails. We reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors."
Suggested Rail Upgrades & Routes By Location
North America
Canada
How to Fix Toronto’s (Mostly) Useless Subway Line
12:57 minute video
Hand Signs
Africa
SASL
Europe
BSL
Train (includes several "train" definitions as in training, transportation, and mechanical)
North America
ASL
Train & Train Left (missed the train)
PISL / Plains Sign Talk
Oceana
Auslan
NZSL
New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary: Train (as in transit), Training, Train Station
Teach Sign: Unit 17: Train Station story in NZSL with questions about comprehension.
Time various terms including minute, and long time ago.
"Where's the train station?" plus other useful phrases.
Grants & Funding
Asia
Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:
Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.
North America
USA
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."
Oceana
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."