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MTH new announcement lists a number of models of European electric locomotives....I have ridden the Glacier Express,  interurbans out into the boonies in Sweden and Denmark,  and Norwegian and other electric lines in Europe.  I don't know how much is here in the U.S., but I don't think much of that Pennsy trackage that once was famous for GG-1's survives, nor does Milwaukee to the west coast, or any of Henry Ford's experiment on the DT&I.  Certainly all the interurban lines that used to run all over the midwest, the streetcar lines, and even most of the electric urban rubber tired bus lines are gone.

Why isn't electricity cost effective here?  The Europeans are still using electric lines, street cars and interurban cars.

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Two words: Roads, automobiles.  As both improved, traction died.

 

But, the last operating interurban, the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend still exists.  Chicago and New York still have their extensive outside third rail rapid transit systems. 

 

I don't usally follow electric traction, but others can probably enlighten us as to which cities have Light Rail lines.  I punched in Light Rail in the Yahoo search engine and got 10 cities immediately listed.  So, it's still out there but more in a uban rather than an interurban environment. 

 

Rusty 

Last edited by Rusty Traque

Most of the Pennsy's electrified historic main lines are still in use.I'm sitting about 200 yards from the Pennsy's(Now Amtrak)Philly to Harrisburg mainline.I can picure in my mind those beautiful GG1's zipping by at 100 mph. Hopefully others with more information will chime in.

 

I just returned to the US from a month long job in Germany last week,the DB's extensive world class railway system is about 95% electrified and is simply incredible.I rode trains every day I had off.

The trains and locomotives are impressive and beautiful in their own right. But no electric locomotive stirs the soul like the Pennsy GG1.

 

Ricky

Originally Posted by coloradohirailer:

 

Why isn't electricity cost effective here? 

 

well when the switch to diesel was made, they were no extra cost...no need to install overhead wire, substation and so on... also gas was cheap and plenty so no incentive for electric line.

It would have been today, it would/could have been a total different story. US and Canada may start to smarten up and start rethink the use of electric engine..

 

 

The Europeans are still using electric lines, street cars and interurban cars.

 

and it never gonna change, to not depend on foreign oil/ energy.

 

That the reason why Switzerland decided to electrify their rail network as fast as possible during WW1...since getting coal from war-torn countries was challenging (we don't have coal in Switzerland but more than self-sustainable in electric power)

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