Light train
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A light-weight train is a type of passenger train that is developed for mainline rail roads. These type of trains are built using lightweighting techniques, with the purpose of reducing operating costs.[1][2]
The term "light-weight train" appeared as early as 1934;[3] although light-weight trains were alternatively called lightweight cars.[4][5] In the first few decades light-weight train standards corresponded to the ones that were used for aircrafts.[6][7]
Many of the light-weight trains in use in the 21st century were developed for mainline rail roads in Europe, however they do not meet the crash-safety guidelines from the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Light-weight trains in the U.S. can therefore only be used on isolated lines, where they are referred to as diesel light rail transit (abbreviated DLRT)[8] or termed hybrid rail by the FRA.[9]
Characteristics
[edit]In general light-weight trains are of the multiple unit type as this architecture gives the advantage of needing fewer bogies, which reduces the weight compared to a train consisting of single cars.[10] For the use of light-weight trains, especially on bridges,[11] it's sometimes necessary to calculate whether to install protection against wind pressure.[12] Another concern that requires special attention during the design process is the higher level of noise caused by bogie vibrations.[13]
History
[edit]In 1930 an experimental railcar –the Rail Zeppelin– was constructed, which set the speed record for petrol trains.[14] Other early examples where the 1931 U.S. Bullet and the 1932 German prototype Flying Hamburger, following a production series later renamed VT 04. In the U.S. technology advanced with the introduction of the 1934 M-10000 prototype and soon followed by the Pioneer Zephyr and the 1935 Hiawatha". These and other examples led to a report by a U.S. statistics body collecting data and examining different light-weight passenger trains.[15] One of the few light-weight train built in the U.S. after the war, the Keystone, only had limited success.[16]
Another notable example was the Talgo I prototype that was tested in Spain between 1942 and 1944. The GM Aerotrain was partially based on the Talgo II and used in passenger service between 1956 and 1966. Talgo trains are used on the Spanish high-speed network; both the Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Danske Statsbaner (DSB) have ordered higher-speed trains for cross border long distance routes.[17]
In the UK in the 1950s, the British Transport Commission (BTC) installed a committee to maintain branch lines by using light-weight trains.[18] For the higher-speed nertwork in India, 16-car light-weight cars were ordered in 2023.[19] In France, the TELLi project aims to do the same by introducing new light-weight trains starting in 2029.[20]
Systems
[edit]Though light-weight trains are used on mainline rail roads in Europe, in the Americas they are mostly used on isolated tracks:
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Models
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Around the Bay Rail Study". Docslib. pp. 3-1/28. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Middleton, B. (August 1997). "Economic viability of diesel light rail cars". Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Eksergian, R. (10 February 2023). The Design of Light-Weight Trains. pp. 667–701. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Report on Streamline, Light-weight, High-speed Passenger Trains: June 30, 1939. Coverdale & Colpitts. 1939. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "Railroading Glossary: L". TRN.Trains.com. Kalmbach Publishing. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
- ^ Symposium On High-Strength Constructional Metals. ASTM International. 1936. p. 75. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ HSGT Systems Engineering Study Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle Systems. United States Department of Transportation, Office of High Speed Ground Transportation. 1969. p. 7-17. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Chapter 4: Inventory and Description of Rail Transit Vehicles Currently Available for Potential Join Operation with Railroads. Transportation Research Board. 1998. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual, Third Edition. 2013. pp. 2–17/18. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ Fuchs, Christoph; Golenhofen, Franziska (7 September 2018). Mastering Disruption and Innovation in Product Management: Connecting the Dots. Springer. p. 45. ISBN 978-3-319-93512-6. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Caspeele, Robby; Taerwe, Luc; Frangopol, Dan M. (15 October 2018). Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment in Civil Engineering: Towards an Integrated Vision: Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-351-85756-7. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Chilton, E. G. (December 1966). Rail gauge and rapid-transit train stability. pp. 135–145. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Persson, Per; Lago, Thomas L.; Claesson, Ingvar (1 July 1999). Active vibration reduction in a light weight high speed train bogie. pp. 8764–8768. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Pearce, William (5 March 2021). "Rail Zeppelin Propeller-Driven Railcar (Schienenzeppelin)". Old Machine Press. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ New Types of Light Weight Passenger Trains: Statement No. 3639. File No. 68-E-4. Interstate Commerce Commission. 1936. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Light weight train derby". Modern Railroads. 11 (2): 118. 1956. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Batrak, Oleksandr (24 September 2024). "Talgo Unveils New Danish Passenger Car and German ICE L Locomotive at InnoTrans 2024". Railway Supply. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Dudley, Geoffrey; Richardson, Jeremy (2 August 2004). Why Does Policy Change? Lessons from British Transport Policy 1945-99. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-70157-5. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Alstom And Medha-Stadler Consortium Bid To Make100 Lightweight Vande Bharat Train". Metro Rail News. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ "Revitalizing rural rail lines with TELLi". SNCF Group. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "The Stadler GTW – A new generation of Diesel light rail". Rail for the Valley. Retrieved 20 January 2025.