Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Top 10 Countries with Best Rail Networks in the World - Part [2/2]

6. Germany
Germany
As per latest statistics, Germany has had a rail network of about 45,000 kms of which 19,857 km were electrified. Germany is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC). Germany has special International high-speed trains which operate to and from Germany- RailJet connects Munich to Vienna, Salzburg (Austria) and Budapest (Hungary), Thalys links Cologne to Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium), TGV connects Munich to Paris (France), ICE connects Frankfurt to Paris (France). Domestic high speed trains include ICE (InterCity Express) is the most popular train in Germany, connecting key cities. These high-speed trains travel at speeds of up to 200 mph.

7. Australia
Australia
Rail in Australia is to a large extent state-based. The Australian rail network consists of a total of about 40,000 km of track of three major track gauges, of which 2,940 km is electrified. Majority portion of the Australian railway network infrastructure is government-owned, either at the federal or state level. It also has a working relationship with Queensland Rail about the use of the 127 kilometers of standard gauge line between the Queensland border and Fisherman Island. The Great Southern railway operates three trains namely The Indian Pacific, The Ghan and The Overland.

8. Argentina
Argentina
Argentina transport network comprises about 47,000 km coverage by railways. The current railroad network is much much smaller than it used to be earlier. Buenos Aires City’s metropolitan rail system is the second most extensive in the Americas after New York’s commuter rail system, with about 259 stations, covering about 800 kilometers serving more than 445 million commuters annually in the Greater Buenos Aires region. Buenos Aires City’s commuter rail provides 1800 trains carrying over one million passengers each business day in the city. Its suburbs in Greater Buenos Aires and several far-reaching satellite towns.

9. South Africa
South Africa
Railways comprises a major part of South Africa’s commuting. All major cities are connected by rail, and South Africa’s railway system is the most highly developed in Africa. Owing to the national highway coverage, long distance travel has been drastically reduced. While many commuters still use rail for their daily commute, nationally, only half of the nation’s 20,000 kilometers of track is being fully utilized, and some 35% of the nation’s track carries no activity or very low activity. South Africa has been behind in technology with regards to the coupling and braking systems. Most trains in South Africa continue to use vacuum braking inspite of the advancements on rail technology.

10. France
France
Rail transport in France is mostly operated by SNCF, which is the French national railway company. France has one of the biggest rail networks in Europe covering a distance of about 30,000 kilometers. In spite of this extensive network, the railway system is a small portion of total travel, accounting for less than 10% of passenger travel. Since 1981, the SNCF has operated the TGV service, a high-speed rail network which has been consistently expanded in subsequent years. The Reseau Ferre De commonly said as the RFD manages the French railway system and facilitates commercially viable 30,000 kilometers of which about 15,000 km is electrified.


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