TEXRail FLIRT latest train sets review : the key to revitalize commuter trains in the US ?

Hi everyone, welcome to this trip report bound to DFW the Dallas/Fort Worth airport onboard the newest train sets made by Stadler, the Swiss manufacturer.
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- TRIP INFORMATION -
Railway company: TEXRail (Trinity Metro)
Train type : Stadler FLIRT Serie 3
From : Fort Worth Central station to DFW terminal B
N° of train: Unknown
Duration : 50 min
Price : 2,50$
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[@luukspijker7939]

It's so weird to see this 'European" train with the mandatory American bell and flashing headlights

[@f-btsc9944]

It so weird to see your commentary Americans trains are the weirdest ones...

[@denizerni151]

I am Swiss and seeing this train withot an SBB livery and as you said with the lights makes me feel wierd man:D

[@TheKartoffel101]

Why in the US Trains have those bells and flashing lights?

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

Σ Safety reasons, An animal might wonder onto the track where there is no fencing A semi truck might have to stop when the train is going over 90. Those are the reasons I can thin of here in the US.

[@OfficialMonstaMusic]

@@denizerni151 No SBB dont have this trains. They have one generation older. but in germany you can find the new one. SBB just have a lot of Stadler Flirt (2. gen) this is the (3.gen), in germany you can find them both

[@markoobid2005]

Until very recently, these TEXRail Flirts were the only Flirt DMUs of the third generation (Flirt 3). But two days ago, in my home country of Slovenia, testing phase of brand new Flirt 3 DMU trains started. Our units are very similar, just that they only have 3 passenger cars. They are going to be the first Flirt DMUs in the normal-gauge Europe. The only diesel Flirts made before are the older Estonian ones, which are broad gauge.

[@carleryk]

The diesel and electric Stadler trains here in Estonia/Estland are somewhat similar to the ones in this video but I would say that they're more similar with the ones in our Finnic sister country Finland. Overall they're very comfortable and all of them have toilets, bike racks and public WiFi. There are three downsides though. Train as a public transportation has become so popular (train ridership makes records almost every year) that some people most certainly will not have a seat (okay for short trips, but not for trips that take more than 2 hours). Too few spots for bikes (about 10-12 per train). And lastly, too few routes and departures. Our government didn't predict that the number of passengers would grow so dramatically quickly so they bought too few trains. As I understand they're now planning on buying new trains for longer distances that would help with congestion of the train but this all takes time. Some new routes are also discussed and some are already in the planning stages. There are some suggestions to buy hydrogen trains for the routes that are not electrified. The planned Rail Baltica (Helsinki to Warsaw) would also bring new European gauge railway to all participating countries and new domestic train routes. Proposed Tallinn-Helsinki railway tunnel (Talsinki) would also bring both capital cities, that are already close to each other (about 80 km), even closer. Only 30 minutes of train ride. I use train as my main mode of transportation, except for bike, and I can't wait for these plans to come to fruition! 🙌

[@Saebler2010]

The 3-piece or 5-piece are used depending on the expected route use. I ride both variants, although the 5-piece will not be found on routes with steep and sustained gradients.

[@ignoblesurfer6281]

I live so close to this and never traveled on TEXRail yet. That changes this week! Thanks for all your uploads. Wonderful.

[@MythicalTransit]

You will like it its comfortable and very clean. Even flim a few video's on it!

[@jeremiahbrand4838]

It’s super nice, and the best destination is definitely Grapevine. They’re building an enormous, Victorian style train station with 6 restaurants, 2 bars and a hotel inside. Not a brutalist block like we normally get with new buildings in the DFW metroplex, but a real aesthetically pleasing place where people can come together.

[@ignoblesurfer6281]

@@jeremiahbrand4838 Excellent! Will check that out when things start to chill with COVID.

[@JBS319]

@@jeremiahbrand4838 Grapevine also has a pair of ex. New Haven Railroad FL9s at the station

[@Megachaingun]

FYI the Arrow commuter rail in Redlands/San Bernardino (near Los Angeles) are going to use FLIRTs as well. Also Stadler is going to produce metro cars for Atlanta too. Hopefully more transit systems buy FLIRT's and KISSes in the future!

[@wavesnbikes]

Caltrain in San Francisco too, the EMU version will get similar trains.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

Arrow has been replaced by expanded Metrolink service to Redlands on the SB Line only.

[@Megachaingun]

@@AVeryRandomPerson I thought the Metrolink service was only for rush hour only? Here's a Redlands newspaper saying that they signed a contract with Stadler. www.redlandscommunitynews.com/groundbreaking-puts-redlands-passenger-rail-project-on-track/article_db1a900e-2d8e-11ea-89c2-ebdaf4684376.html

[@beavermuffin]

A Very Random Person it’s still going to use Stadler equipment due to community’s huge opposition to existing Metrolink equipment being used in the extension.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Also DART Silver Line (Cotton Belt Rail) in Dallas.

[@MrBnsftrain]

3:16 locos from US, Canadian, and Mexican railroads in one train. Nice! I'm surprised the door opening and closing sounds are European and not the typical American two-note

[@drdewott9154]

I mean the train is from an European manufacturer and built after European design so if anything you shouldn't be surprised.

[@austindonovan1970]

The train also has another funny European hold-over: the door controls are spoken in a very posh British accent. Really funny to hear an announcements in my accent in English, and then again in Spanish, only to have the very British door sternly tell me to "please stand clear of the closing door"

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

@@austindonovan1970 what? The accent is American

[@mirzaahmed6589]

NAFTA Rail!

[@justagiraffe2868]

Can confirm, when cities invest in rail, it gets used. I live in Chicagoland, and our commuter rail network (Metra) is one of the most travelled in the country. A lot of people who work in the city use it to travel, and in any other time, trains are packed during rush hour

[@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife]

Man we need these SO BAD. But I think Metra would probably have Stadler design them something like a KISS Bilevel with the DEMU power car - and that'd be pretty easy IMO, since the traction motors are distributed throughout the trainset, just hook up the DEMU power car and go to town. This would actually make it super easy to eventually electrify all Metra lines without having to scrap the existing fleet.

[@Trainviking]

Ooohhh this is nice. So funny to see these trains with the American bell and way the head lights are blinking at the front.

[@FozenMoustache]

As a European it is so weird to see these FLIRT`s without a pantograph! But it is exiting to se how they look in different designs, and layouts :) Here in Norway we only got the electric FLIRT`s, but we are getting some hybrids in a year or two. And I`m glad to hear how quiet the power unit was! I really enjoyed watching this video!

[@brianstafford3969]

Some people like to give out about your subtitles when you spell a word wrong, or use the wrong word, but I really like your commentary because it has a unique style.

[@samuelitooooo]

It's been improving over time as well!

[@AnnabelSmyth]

Yes, it has definitely improved from your earlier videos.

[@armybasegamer8859]

yes indeed, but still too many emojis, every time i see one its cringe for me

[@casmatori]

Sometimes they can be a little patronizing and simplistic

[@alexpelsor6841]

That thing is a beauty! I wish more US cities had commuter rail. Welcome to America where the car is king... you can thank Goodyear/standard oil for that one

[@kevinleblanc7520]

The northeast especially Massachusetts you wouldn't need a car.

[@ronclark9724]

@@kevinleblanc7520 But you do if you live more than 30 miles or so, say 50 kilometers, from the downtowns of most major American cities, outside the northeast...

[@ronclark9724]

Simply put America fell in LOVE with the automobile.... Dinah Shore sold millions of Chevrolets.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIS6naBmg9Ngh7s

[@TheCriminalViolin]

Don't forget Ford and General Motors, too!

[@ronclark9724]

@@TheCriminalViolin Both built buses.... Buses replaced the old slow trolleys....

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

9:30 trust us if our infrastructure were more bike and/or Public transit-friendly; we'd gladly take that option over the car any time. heck even while I'm writing this my city is turning the boulevards into bike-friendly roads

[@coastercrutchfield]

the biggest factor though is to discourage people from driving. You could have amazing cycle infrastructure, but if it's still more convenient and less of a hassle for someone to drive they'll still choose driving most of the time.

[@emilkarpo]

@@coastercrutchfield Right it's all about coercion, forcing others to do what you think they should. Outside NYC, CHI, maybe one or two other big cities most people using rail transit are Government employees. A make work project a lot like the schools.

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

​@@emilkarpowell actually it all depends on what the department of transportation wants to do. Not really what anybody else wants to do.

[@tylerkochman1007]

The ad I got for this was "how to flirt"

[@mgbot9181]

same

[@keithparker5125]

Bear in mind, other models is the Stadler range are 'Wink' and 'Kiss'. So much for the Swiss being conservative!

[@connectingwings7212]

@@keithparker5125 next train gonna be named "fuck"

[@TheCriminalViolin]

@@connectingwings7212 Plot twist: It'll be named "Fuck" due to it specifically being developed for the US market, and it's actually therefore a self-concerned remark in reality

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

I know the names are an abbreviation of a concise description in German, but I have a good feeling that it’s meaning in English is intentional

[@deebelisle963]

I live in Richardson and when I travel for long time like to Europe-- I just take a train to DFW- why pay for parking ? I pay $3 instead $50 for UBER

[@neiandresamuels5428]

Same

[@andrew-sn5vv]

It’ll be even easier when DART finishes their own commuter rail to DFW

[@ronclark9724]

@@andrew-sn5vv On that old former Cotton Belt railroad line, just to the east of Trinity Metro...

[@flagrockerthegreat]

@@andrew-sn5vv Silver Line i believe is what it's called is expected to be operating in 2022. Def am happy for the expansion.

[@TexMexTraveler]

First, great video, As a railfan myself, I love to see rail networks from everywhere. If you don't mind, I'll point out a couple things about why rail is difficult in the United States and I live in Texas. Parking is free nearly everywhere in the U.S. including Starbucks, except for urban downtown areas of large cities. Next, there are 2 problems as to why trains fail in the U.S. Most of the U.S. does not have enough high density population areas that can support a train/lightrail/commuter rail and the U.S. seldom is willing to have local, county, state or federal government subsidize railways when ridership is typical low thus benefiting so few people. Lastly, the typical American lives in a population area considered "low density", and often has multiple tasks during the day to do as well as often times going to grocery stores, and other retail stores making for getting to all those places in a time-efficient manner hard and even worse carrying or transporting the things we buy back home. Many Americans enjoy building project on or at their homes and it's not practical to go to the hardware store and come home with tools and supplies on a train that does not come anywhere near our homes. First and last mile problems. In areas where population density is high enough, we do see light rail and commuter rail, however 84% of the US population does not live in such areas and gain, no one is willing to subsidize it. The equation local governments have to make is, if we only have a certain amount of money to spend on transportation, do we spend it on rail which only benefits a few, or on roads which will benefit most people. It's sad that this is the result, but despite being a railfan myself, I understand the budgetary constraints given then population and society needs as a whole.

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

Pretty much all American trains have toilets, except subways.

[@Cards8114]

No, not all American trains. Rolling Stock Exempt from on-board restrooms include the following: Trolley Streetcars Light Rail Vehicles Subway Trains

[@dijikstra8]

Most of what is called "commuter rail" in the US would probably be more aptly classed as "regional rail" in most of Europe. Commuter rail in large parts of Europe, at least in the larger cities, tend to operate more subway-like and space is at a premium just like in the subway, flow of people is prioritized. The commuter rail in Stockholm where I'm from has no toilets and also have more doors (three doors per standard car length), commuter rail in other Swedish cities have toilets and fewer doors and act more like regional rail, they run longer distances with larger spacing between stations and they run less frequently than the Stockholm commuter rail.

[@Perich29]

BART, and other commuter train doesn't have them.

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

@@Perich29 BART is a subway. Hence, all except subways. (and LRV's.)

[@cheeseball5354]

Well, technically a bathroom can be on every train, including subways. It just depends on your comfort level.

[@bbmikej]

A few weird (and unfortunate) things: Each municipality has to agree to be a part of the system and then add a tax. The area has a cap for local taxes so if they are already close and the system tax would put them over, they don't get to be a part of the system. Also, the cities can just vote to not be in the system, like Arlington. There is Six Flags and the Cowboys and Rangers stadiums there but the city refuses to have ANY public transit (including buses). It means you cant just take a train to a game and have to drive and then pay to park. Most of that line is single track right now so unless they add a second track, i dont think they can really increase capacity much more then they are at.

[@neiandresamuels5428]

They are infact building additional lines. One expanding west and another one North. I know for a fact they'll be building one south and Southwest. But I wish Arlington would at least adopt public buses. Same with Collin County... I mean look at LA. Torrance, Burbank, Long Beach, SF valley, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Fontana, LA hacienda, and other nearby cities..dozens of bus Systems. That's what the Metroplex needs

[@bbmikej]

@@neiandresamuels5428 they need I new line from downtown to the stadium and then take the orange line from the airport down to centerport and then continue it to end at the stadium next to the "new" kind I said earlier

[@AmericansAlwaysFree]

Ahsuhyah Arts I wouldn't say dozen of systems are needed DART, Trinity Metro, And DCTA just need to expand service to more areas and I agree Arlington needs to join DART or Trinity Metro

[@neiandresamuels5428]

@@AmericansAlwaysFree I honestly think they'd do better getting With Trinity Metro..or at least their own personal public transit system

[@AmericansAlwaysFree]

Ahsuhyah Arts I also think they'd be better to go with trinity metro or at the very least add a TRE link Like the one that connects centreport to the airport but from centreport to six flags and the stadiums

[@spongebot64]

Have to say they really remind me of the Stadler Flirts used on Greater Anglia in the UK

[@GoldenSpikeRailProd]

The Grapevine Station is in my hometown. Glad you liked the train! Great videos also. I saw that Ferromex/CP duo in Haslet, TX up the line! Very cool.

[@jasonmlw1752]

Stadler Rail is using that engine compartment in the middle of their DMUs for ages. Check the older Stadler GTW DMUs for example. Great Video!

[@silenthunteruk]

The new Class 755s on Greater Anglia in the UK also have that middle compartment.

[@maxtremetrains3743]

@@silenthunteruk thats because those are also FLIRT DMUs just with the new front design

[@jimi272]

Flirt and gtw aren’t the same tough!!! The flirt has its engine compartment in the middle but is a normal flirt other than that, with the advantages of electric motors across the train! But the gtw only has this motor compartment in the middle powering the whole train, which is very cheap! Gtw are trash, flirt are good👌

[@jasonmlw1752]

@@jimi272 The GTW is by far older and restricted to regional use. That's why it has only one powered bogie and an axle arrangement: 2 Bo' 2 for the GTW 2/6 or 2 Bo' 2 2 for the GTW 2/8 according to the UIC formation.

[@stephanweinberger]

@@jimi272 The GTW is perfectly fine, especially the 2/6 (6 axles, 2 of them powered) can take advantage of the weight distribution for adequate traction. Another big advantage of the "power container" design is that it can be easily swapped for the electric version (which significantly lowers the financial burden when electrifying a line, as you dont have to buy completely new trains). And of course maintenance is very simple, as all parts of the power unit are easily accessible.

[@matthewflippin2195]

There actually is a ticket office and a few shops, including a subway sandwich shop. You just didn't go down far enough.

[@RailfanTurner]

Terrific trip you had! Terrific catches!

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Great video, thanks. Similar Stadler FLIRTs with the short power car are now being operated here in the UK by Greater Anglia. Some are bi-modal. Like you, I wish more people could be persuaded out of their cars and on to trains. However, even in Switzerland you still see many traffic jams and their trains services are probably the best in the world.

[@fermitthekrog6318]

Ive never been on TEXrail but The grapevine vintage railroad runs parallel to this train for a bit and I've been on that. Its pretty great. At one point they had an operational steam locomotive.

[@abthepilot]

Great video! I’ve ridden this line a few times now and have enjoyed it every time. The new “Silver Line” also recently received it’s first train of new rail for rebuilding the line from DFW to Plano. Unfortunately, as you pointed out, DART will be operating those trains and not TEXRail, but hopefully they take a lot of leads from TEXRail as they do a great job. Also, 3 trains doesn’t sound like enough for the run to Plano.

[@josephtambun3767]

Watching this because I'm curious about experience inside a Stadler trains after our national trains manufacturer company (INKA) had a joint corporation with Stadler to build new train factory in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, the new factory is for build new emu/dmu for metro/light rail/commuter rail/ airport shuttle in Indonesia and abroad

[@samuelitooooo]

I like the idea of these separated power cars. Maybe one day we'll see environmentally friendly power sources, like hydrogen fuel cell, just by swapping out that center power car. (Compare to Alstom Coradia iLint where the equipment is part of the cars.) I love how it keeps the noise and vibrations away from the passenger compartments.

[@jonasaman9104]

Way did you not go for a totaly bonkers futuristic idea as a eletricpower driven train? like pbs.twimg.com/media/CWHfgq1UwAA8cYr?format=jpg&name=900x900 (yes the power sources need to be environmentally friendly but you do not need to carry them around with the train)

[@joshuahawkes7218]

@@jonasaman9104 that's not bonkers or futuristic at all, for example, the vast majority of trains in the UK are electric

[@jonasaman9104]

@@joshuahawkes7218 guess you didn't look at the "futuristic" train I did attatch :) Best wishes from sweden

[@pearlyhumbucker9065]

@ Samuel Santaella The thing is: The most of the Stadler trains are EMUs from birth, being born in Switzerland, where 99% of all the railway lines are under catenary, a new train ist normally an electric train. Making a D(x)MU ist therefore really simple: You take the normal electric train, remove the pantographs and add an electric power station - Diesel, fuel cell, CNG, whatever. Now you have a DeMU - a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit. Dont need the weight of the electric power generation? No need for high acceleration rates? Leave most of the electric parts out of the train, put two truck drive units with automated gear boxes in that power unit, and you are ready to go: here is your lightweight small commuter train - a DhMU for branch lines and small town commuter service. And all that with the same basic train unit!

[@samuelitooooo]

Jonas Åman You used an image of a vintage train and called it a futuristic concept. 🧐 Stadler trains in the U.S. are barely a decade old and we'll continue to have these particular trains that we have right now for another 20 years at minimum. Even in the case that these corridors are electrified, again, just swap out the power car for one with a pantograph. Then the next new trains can be any EMU out there.

[@sarahmoores2724]

We’re getting Flirts for one of our rail lines in Ottawa, Canada. Supposed to go into service in 2022.

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

This is awesome!

[@a3th3rstar]

Yee

[@englerrail3855]

Great documentation. It's funny to see our Swiss trains with US equipment and livery. Keep it up!

[@mrbrainbob5320]

Yea but they were made here

[@englerrail3855]

@@mrbrainbob5320 At the utah production facility👍🏼

[@mrbrainbob5320]

@@englerrail3855 yup

[@TARS..]

That engine car hallway reminds me of the "Snowpiercer" front engine car! Looks and sounds great in there.

[@r_envoyage7793]

Really interesting to see Stadler Flirt trains in the USA! Keep going with your fantastic work, thanks for producing these cool videos. :-)

[@angelfabian7029]

Que hermoso tren , beautiful train.

[@ZapFlashD]

I'm also happy that San Bernardino, CA will also be using FLIRT DMUs for the Arrow project from San Bernardino to Redlands!

[@vforvendettaMA]

This is really useful as Dallas - just next door to Fort Worth - is also getting Stadler FLIRT trains for the Cotton Belt or Silver Line of the DART.

[@maestromecanico597]

Something I hadn’t thought of three years ago: Having this equipment working in the same general area as the “normal” locomotive and coach trains of Trinity Railway Express creates an opportunity for comparisons such as fuel use, maintenance costs, etc.

[@crowmob-yo6ry]

We're getting a second European-style regional rail line in the next few years: the silver line, connecting the northeast suburbs to the airport.

[@SteveGillow]

I've been riding this train most days for almost a year and half and I agree with most of your observations. I would agree the Fort Worth Central Station does have a sketchy vibe, especially off hours, but the T&P Station within walking distance south and west of the Central Station has always felt comfortable. I'm lucky enough to live within a mile and half of the nearest station, so it's a nice walk until the temperature goes over 100 F.

[@geertbraam8163]

I am from Holland and we have here the same train models running too (NS Flirts). It is so funny to see they even ride in an other continent! However, all Dutch Flirts have an electric traction. I hope I can ride this TX journey too! Regards from The Netherlands!

[@DanielsUKT]

Awesome video this and also the virgin rail in florida along with proposed high speed in 2 states shows that USA is investing in the railways however it would take many decades to get large amounts of people to start taking train as opposed to avavtion and cars

[@ulbhpy]

Glad to see such a detailed review of this airport train. I am on other side of airport and use DART which is also a great option though takes longer

[@buksi6342]

When I hear DART I think Dublin, they have a commuter rail service called the DART too.

[@austindonovan1970]

DART's actually building the Silver Line right now, which will share the DFW terminal & park-n-ride stations and then go out to Plano-ish through Addison. It will use the same trainsets and should be done by 2022! Hopefully you'll have a faster option after that's been built!

[@FrancoAir]

I loved taking this train to DFW airport for work everyday.

[@Maximilian7992]

These are the third Stadler type DMU set to be used in Texas. There are some in Houston and some for the DCTA (Denton County Transportation Authority) A-Train

[@amranium]

Caltrain in the San Francisco Peninsula is also getting FLIRT -derived EMUs, can't wait to see those also!

[@dapegtaiwan710]

I have used the rail link, great service wish more people will use it

[@ADPeguero]

Nice video. Nice looking train set too.

[@peters1127]

Thank You for an Excellent informative video, FYI My photo of a CB&Q (FW&D) RR was taken near the Santa Fe Station. It was the only Burlington switcher painted in Chinese Red.

[@Saebler2010]

Great video. I am a train driver in Germany and also drive the Flirt3XL. A very nice vehicle. I like the US version very much. Best regards!

[@JoeLikesTrains]

Its so cool seeing a European Train In America, it reminds me of the Flirt 3s that Run in Ticino, its very impressive!

[@FrealFan2]

Thank you for showing the rail systems available here in DFW!! You should check out the Denton area A-Train while you’re in town. It also runs on Stadler FLIRT trains, and runs from downtown Denton to Carrollton where the station acts as a transfer point to the Dallas DART system. Having lived in Europe also for several years, I also miss all the trains available for commuter routes and long distance. While it’s nice to have my car here in DFW, I definitely miss being able to pay 3 franc and go pretty much anywhere in the city without having to drive 😝 plus it really is so nice to be able to skip over all the traffic during rush hour. My only complaint is that the US seems to have lower rail speed limits on commuter rails, so it makes these rides too long. It once took me 4 hours to get from Denton to Arlington 😬 But anyways, I really liked your video, and again thank you for showing the train lines here in North Texas!

[@gabrielstravels]

The Denton A-train actually uses Stadler GTW 4/6 trains, not Stadler FLIRT.

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

So cool!

[@lone-starrailfan7877]

The Amtrak seen @ 01:39 is the Amtrak Heartland Flyer that runs between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City,OK they sit there in that side track till there 5:30pm Departure time

[@gustavokennedy213]

That’s my city Funky town. I rode on the Tx rail and it awesome.

[@neilcrawford8303]

Great video, interesting to see. As someone with a medical condition that has now stopped me from driving, I value public transport. In theory these are DEMUs. They are an EMU with diesel generator packs in the centre vehicle. The ones running in the UK are dual mode. They can run on 25kv AC overhead electric, with the diesel generator packs shut down, or on non electrified routes or sections using the gen packs. Another advantage is that Stadler have designed it to be adaptable. Should they in future be used on fully electrified routes, the centre vehicle can be removed from the formation. Also the power packs, up to four in the centre vehicle are modular, so according to Stadler the gen packs could be swapped for alternative power units or stored energy rechargeable battery packs. There are also fully electric 12 car Flirts running in the UK. Stadler are also delivering new trains to Merseyrail in Liverpool. We have several manufacturers setting up factories or operating in the UK. CAF, Talgo, Hitachi, Bombardier, Alstom. Even EMD have a small plant, although that's more maintenance and rebuilds. They are currently adapting existing British class 56 freight locomotives into class 69s using new power plants.

[@Sacto1654]

It should be noted the final assembly for these Stadler train sets are *NOT* done at Stadler's own factory in Switzerland, but at Stadler's Salt Lake City, Utah assembly line. And they FLIRT train sets run mostly on dedicated right of way, so they don't need to meed the strict FRA safety standards for passenger rail cars.

[@Z20900]

Nice video, I liked the comparison actually!

[@baniorztrains5054]

Flirt in Poland too, amazing ride quality, best regards

[@BenceSnurikTrainspotting]

Very interesting video! Greetings from Hungary! In Hungary we have 123 pieces of Stadler Flirt which is operated by MÁV!

[@davidnissim589]

We’re using Stadler KISS units here in San Francisco. They should be running in about two years.

[@MrJimheeren]

Yes but those are EMU train sets. This one has a diesel electric unit in the middle

[@railguru4986]

Great video! When I opened this video I saw some makeup tutorial ad titled “How to Flirt” :D

[@Perich29]

nice well thought out commuter train by Stadler. we could use these trainset in AZ to take people from Phoenix to Tucson.

[@trainsandtrams2020]

It's nice to see Flirts catching on in the US.

[@sweetlakers]

2:50 Even been on the Sunset Limited all the way to LA? Many Flirts overhere in the Netherlands but these head lights flashing on and off is a first!

[@AY-ze1fp]

This reminds me of the Siemens DMU "Sprinter" service where I am (Southern California). I like the frequent weekend service because it is significantly cheaper than driving and parking your car at the beach. It's somewhat fast, cheap, frequent, and clean :) en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprinter_(light_rail)

[@aviation6549]

6:35 DUDE THATS THE FACILITY NEXT TO MY PARENTS WORK!!! and 9:25 is the crossing i always go past and i been to the grapevine vintage railroad and rode on the gvrr 2016

[@marcelmoulin3335]

Thank you for the informative, entertaining video! I, too, am surprised to learn that Texas has implemented such a train service. You are right to say that if Americans left their automobiles behind and used the train, they would improve their health and the environment. A Dutchman, I actually grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area; I returned to the fatherland upon retirement, and I delight in the public transport possibilities here in the Netherlands. "Je vous remercie de cette vidéo superbe et de vos commentaires pertinentes."

[@chesapeakerailphotography]

I think those Stadler FLIRT sets are interesting anyways awesome report!

[@Noodle_Train]

I am really starting to love stadler trains. Especially glad that Caltrain purchased stadler kiss trains

[@mrdynastyiv466]

I know the FLIRT 3 and Flirt 3 XL only as the EMU version in south west Germany - but in my region they mostly used as express trains

[@chmax73]

Great report! I am from Switzerland, and most of the SwissRail trains are either from Bombardier/Alstom or StadlerRail. And we have toilets in ALL trains, even more than one per train ;) So I was surprised to know, that not all EU trains in US have one... We have also a very strict regulation with regards to Accessibility for impaired people.

[@mrbrainbob5320]

What are you talking about trains in America do have toilets.

[@gabrielstravels]

9:08 They use exactly the same open door chime as our UK Hitachi Class 800 series!

[@springstud]

nice video this summer they break ground in houston for the bulit train from houston to dallas it will take 9yrs to finish

[@durstin8er]

I remember seeing that train being built in salt lake city Utah at the stadler plant

[@piemonte.bustrainspotting]

It's the same model we have in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, but ours it's bimodal

[@Ostermond]

11:07 Holy jeez, that’s an SCV-2000 at the front end there.

[@xcapeee]

Hi ! Interesting you made the comment about feeling 'unsafe' but it's often true around American train stations, the neighbourhoods can be quite sketchy is a lot of instances. This looks like quite a useful train and pity there isn't more passengers!

[@BenriBea]

It had pretty good ridership before covid-19. I take it every time I head back into Fort Worth

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

I love how modern European trains use the British Rail PRM door buzzers.

[@MrSquareart]

Nice video!!!!!!

[@lipphil]

10:38 "It's better for your health" lol if i go to Starbucks then health is probably not my number one priority :D

[@connectingwings7212]

Compensation xD

[@benjamintery7847]

Great video as always. i prefered the old video titles though, it was easier to know what journey you was doing :)

[@djwolf400]

Stadler also makes the commuter rail for Capital Metro in Austin.

[@ronclark9724]

Like Denton's Stadler GTW...

[@CameronLandels]

Merci pour partager! I enjoyed it very much! Ici, en Angleterre, nous avons les trains 'Flirts' - Class 745 et 755 (Greater Anglia). :-)

[@paulmoreno6279]

Nice! 👏 👍

[@trainzandplanes522]

The Bay Area has FLIRT DMUs, I think. Only on a E-BART shuttle line between Pittsburgh/ Bay point- Antioch, although there are extension plans for the future.

[@Taschenschieber]

The reason for the power car in the middle is that the FLIRT originally was an electric-only design. The diesel variant has the generator car in the center so they can reuse as much of the electric design as possible. - Also, I think all European FLIRTs have toilets as well, they are more often used on fast regional services than in classic urban transport. In Germany, toilets are pretty much standard everywhere except on the S-Bahn and very small rural lines.

[@Spacek531]

This may be the only US operator of Stadler FLIRT DMU, but there are several operators of Stadler GTW DMU in Texas, California, and New Jersey :)

[@av8rbri473]

Your experience was spot on to mine when I tried this out recently. It is an outstanding train. Very quiet, clean and relaxing. It’s a shame though that TX/TEXRAIL Trinity Metro has not marketed this properly. I have never seen it busy or maxed out. (2023 now) At the current rate, it will never be profitable (just like the TRE & AMTRAK) And speaking of, recently started taking the TRE again to commute daily to my work. Part of what you touched on (the uneasy feeling or not feeling safe) is exemplified more IMO on the TRE run. The TRE does not always have sheriffs or police officers riding along. It is those times that I have seen some escalations/altercations with the “bad element” types. Not always, but sometimes.. That alone is also what can deter people from riding public transit. Another issue I have witnessed on the TRE vs. the TexRail is that on the TRE, the conductor does not always come by and ask for tickets/proof of purchase. You cannot and will not ever be profitable with a business plan like that. IMO, for trains to be successful here in DFW, they have to work on the following: SAFETY (including the origination points) EXCLUSIVE TRACKS (not shared with freight trains) MARKETING (very poor job so far) CONNECTING SERVICES (buses, etc) In closing, the next time I fly out of DFW, I will definitely be using the TexRail/Trinity Metro It is great.

[@einsesteinpiorosado8071]

Saludos, muy buenas reflexiones/ comentarios que haces, espero que alguien interiorice tus mensajes . La calidad de las imágenes es genial. Bravo. Te exhorto a que continúes con tu buen trabajo.

[@alexahiatzi18]

They definitely need trains like this on the northeast corridor

[@calebtrains2261]

@Alex A Why?

[@codyross233]

Not really. The NEC is fine on its own with Amtrak and other regional rail taking care of the surrounding areas

[@Clippercarduser]

It would make sense to use kiss emu

[@samuelitooooo]

Nah, Northeast Corridor needs their high capacity high floor single decks and multilevels. Maybe there are some low-ridership branches that can be converted to light rail. New Jersey Transit has a line that uses Stadler GTW trains which has some street-running sections.

[@CentralJerseyRailfan]

Samuel Santaella that’s their River Line. This type of Statler FLIRT trainset really wouldn’t work that well on the NEC because it’s mostly high level platforms there

[@kentcountryside10]

That was a good video

[@miles_thomas]

The colour scheme (outside and inside) is similar to the units running on Greater Anglia in the Eastern counties in the UK (and these mostly have the power car in the middle two, except the extra long intercity London-Norwich trains which have overhead power all the way and don't need a diesel power car. The Rabbit/hare logo that GA uses could also work in Texas

[@tincanboat]

nice looking train

[@mattval6293]

Very simular to ours in the UK. Look up class 755. We also have a battery pack coach in between.

[@pearlyhumbucker9065]

@ Matt Val "Very similar...." Well, that's no wonder. It's the same trains: Stadler FLIRT. The difference between the 755 and the TexRail trains is that the 755s have dual drives, but run mainly electrically under the catenary, while the TexRail trains are simple DeMUs, i.e. purely diesel-electric trains. More similar to the 755 than the TexRail trains is the 745 - at least the heads are the same - that's where the British and TexRail trains are very different.

[@prokopsvoboda992]

good job video

[@OrangeSkeleton1]

In america DMU’s are considered “light rail” they’re economical and dont need to use complex infrastructure like the NEC because passenger demand is low.

[@benfryback9878]

Passenger demand isn't low, the demand just hasn't been captured. The demand for transportation is there.

[@JurgenADV]

Fantastic train. Interesting (as someone who spent a short time in a wheelchair) that the toilet is great. A sliding door works so much better (and is a space saver) for those with disabilities.

[@lucrolland7489]

Very nice indeed to see these train running in North America. The world is evolving and even USA is improving although I am not seeing much ergonomy in the seats as this is the case with the new trains from Hitachi and CAF running in the UK.

[@centredoorplugsthornton4112]

Stadler has also built older, shorter DMUs for NJ Transit's River Line between Camden and Trenton, NJ and the Denton County A Train between Denton and Carrollton, TX where it connects with DART's light rail to Dallas. Grapevine Vintage passenger car fleet includes an SPV2000 DMU car likely first built for New York MTA commuter lines. How it got to Grapevine is speculation. See it coupled to the streamlined F unit at Grapevine station. The key to these modern DMUs is crashworthiness. FLIRTs likely meet Federal Railroad Administration requirements, unlike older DMUs such as the River Line cars in New Jersey. Freight trains can share tracks with DMUs like this but on the River Line in New Jersey separate operating windows are required.

[@williambishop2384]

The A Train uses Stadler GTW trains.

[@guldukat2453]

You should prob do a video in the near future on GO Transit in Greater Toronto Area. Possibly the largest rail infrastructure program at the moment with their new RER program with electrification of 6 former commuter lines into high frequency rapid transit (every 15 min service 7 days a week). Also with Stadler DMU and EMUs.

[@danielday36]

Next time you ride this train, visit Grapevine, Texas. There's life-size space marine a block north of the station.

[@klaibasler3984]

A Twindexx (RABe 502) would also fit for america. Its a doubledecker long-distance train with 7 coaches. Look it up!