Quote:
Originally Posted by pdxstreetcar
Electric Multiple Units are used extensively in Europe and Asia but are little used in the US outside the NE (for a variety of reasons). These are what we should be using a lot more. Denver was smart to go this approach for many corridors but too often light rail is the default option.
Much of Seattle's Link system really would have been better suited to EMUs instead of light rail (although generally using the current and proposed Link route) because of the long distances to Everett and Tacoma. (I am not referring to the Sounder corridor, although if built this way they could have been somewhat interchangeable). What this also would have been, had they used EMUs, is a second and passenger-only major rail corridor north and south that could have also been used for Amtrak Cascades.
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Not just EMUs! European operators extensively use DMUs as well, as these are better for non-electrified lines. American passenger rail technology is wildly obsolete, but, unfortunately, the relaxation of FRA standards will take some time to make it to market because American operators have built their operations around those standards.