Rolling Stock
Commuter trains are usually powered by diesel-electric or electric locomotives or use self-contained multiple units. Electric power (transmitted via third rail or catenary) is favored where it is available due to quicker acceleration, lower noise, and fewer air-quality issues.
Diesel-electric locomotives based on the EMD F40PH design as well as the MP36PH-3C are popular commuter motive power. Manufacturers of coaches include Bombardier, Kawasaki and Nippon Sharyo.
Systems using DMU units include Westside Express Service in Portland, Capital MetroRail in Austin, Tri-rail in Florida, and the A-Train (Denton County Transportation Authority) in Texas. These systems use train sets made by Stadler Rail or US Railcar (formerly Colorado Railcar). While the other systems use only DMU trains, Tri-rail uses both DMU trains and traditional passenger cars pulled by locomotives.
Read more about this topic: Commuter Rail In North America
Famous quotes containing the words rolling and/or stock:
“It is only when we are very happy that we can bear to gaze merrily upon the vast and limitless expanse of water, rolling on and on with such persistent, irritating monotony, to the accompaniment of our thoughts, whether grave or gay. When they are gay, the waves echo their gaiety; but when they are sad, then every breaker, as it rolls, seems to bring additional sadness, and to speak to us of hopelessness and of the pettiness of all our joys.”
—Emmuska, Baroness Orczy (1865–1947)
“And anyone is free to condemn me to death
If he leaves it to nature to carry out the sentence.
I shall will to the common stock of air my breath
And pay a death tax of fairly polite repentance.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)