Join the discussion on the following article:
Hundreds of new French trains too wide for station platforms
Actually, the real story is that the French railway authorities had already decided back in 2011 to modify those 1300 substandard platforms, which did not meet the European standard specifications that all new trains are supposed to comply with. It is a three-year programme, and they have already done 300 of them.
But that wouldn’t make such a good headline, or give the politicians and unions an opportunity to attack the rail industry ahead of a debate on railway reforms in parliament next month. A satirical magazine spins the tale, and most of the European news media falls into the trap.
I thought this was a story about a recent order of french railway equipment. Instead, It appears to be an OP-ED disguised as journalism.
Maybe next time you could report on the french trains and put that in News Wire, then later you could get on the forum and whine about Amtrak.
Want to read this story, go to http://tinyurl.com/mc85y8a
Another news article said that two trains can’t pass at some locations either.
Perhaps the California High Speed Rail Authority could look into the possibility of acquiring some of these extra-wide rail cars at fire-sale prices. With a few modifications, like FRA approved couplers, etc., it could turn out to be a windfall for California.
Matt Hoffman, I don’t see where it became an op-ed. It doesn’t read to me like a whine about Amtrak. I think you’re reading that into the article. The throwback to Acela Express issue does seem a bit out of place, but I don’t think it fits your charges.
oops llok at your atlas lyon is in the southeast not the souhwest
That’s too bad.
That’s too bad.
The Northeast Corridor is extremely complex compared to the French network, having been built at different times for different purposes and by multiple owners. There was no single, simple design that was followed universally. That is not the case with the French network, as even the older sections there were rebuilt to common standards after World War II.
And New Rochelle is in New York, not Connecticut. I rode past there on Metro North just last week, and the border between the states has not been changed.
How does one say “Oops!” in French?