44 thoughts on “Main Railway Networks: USA v Europe”

  1. It is bizarre. I took a train once in the US, from Boston to New York, and it was very pleasant, but most of the country seems very badly connected. It is a shame, as the trains were so important and brought so much growth to the country… We had a train station where I lived (not manned, but still) in the UK, but not many trains went by, although I tried to use it as much as I could. Not practical for work, though.

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    1. Beetley is too far from a station to make train travel practical for us. I used to enjoy using the Eurostar when I lived in London, as I hate sea crossings.

      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. Train travel is good here, as long as you live reasonably close to a station. My nearest station is in Norwich, 25 miles east. That requires two buses to get to, or someone offering you a lift, or a very expensive taxi ride. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. I have used trains from London to travel through the Eurotunnel into Europe. I much prefer that route, as I get seasick on the sea ferries. But I rarely use trains in England now, as I live so far from a station.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. It does seem that flying is more convenient for Americans to cross such vast distances. But like you, I am reluctant to use air travel now. I will add your map to this post.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. I can’t remember the last time I went on a train. Sam always drives if we go and see a West End show, but he’ll go on the train to see a London customer because his company will pay the fare.

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      1. As I’ve indicated previously, Brightline West will begin construction of a high speed rail line from Rancho Cucamonga (37 miles east of downtown L.A.) to Las Vegas this year. Completion of the project is scheduled for 2028.

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  12. There are some routes on the US map that don’t show up. Amtrack goes through Nebraska and into Wyoming on UP tracks, for example. That noted, travel by train is just as bleak as the US map shows.

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    1. The caption didn’t appear on the saved image, but It did say only main passenger routes, Doug. I’m sure there must be some others, but overall, it seems America does not rely so much on train travel for people. Perhaps it is easier and cheaper to fly?
      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. That unseen caption is correct, of course, though the point made by the map is unmistakable, passenger routes are scarce in the USA and Canada.

        Air travel isn’t necessarily convenient either if you live in blank spots on that railroad map. I, for example, have to drive to town an hour away to get the plane to Denver, which is the regional hub for flights to the rest of the world and country. (The airport for my town is noted to be the least travelled to or from in the USA!)

        I’m sure that’s exactly why, Pete. When you take into consideration the distances involved, creating the cost of putting down and maintaining tens of thousands of kilometers of rails and all of the additional things that come with railroads, an airports is more cost efficient.

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      2. It is possible, though the videos people post of these train rides suggests it’s not easy to do.

        I think Amtrak does a NYC to Los Angeles Zephyr, though it also sees there’s a change to a new train at Chicago.

        Regardless, European trains are easy to use to get virtually any place you want to go over there, and I’d love having that easy access to the US by train.

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  13. Something that is sadly lacking in this country…..we will be getting a line that will connect Mobile to New Orleans to be starting in April (at last prediction) there has not been this for over 40 years. You guys are so lucky to have such a great network. chuq

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    1. There are extensive networks in Britain, but the nearest train station to where I live is 25 miles away, and I would need to get a bus into town, then a bus to the city of Norwich. Once there, a train ticket to London as an example would be quite expensive. It costs around £48 ($61) for a ticket, one way.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  14. Interesting comparison! My mum would always go by rail if she could, even if it took days. If one has the time and if the train is reasonably comfortable, it’s a good way to see the country. I wish the Americans had the equivalent of a bullet train or the TGV.

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