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

[@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!

[@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....

[@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.

[@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!

[@angelfabian7029]

Que hermoso tren , beautiful train.

[@TARS..]

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

[@djwolf400]

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

[@ronclark9724]

Like Denton's Stadler GTW...

[@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.

[@Tonylui61]

Next time you can come to San Bernardino,The Arrow train(SB to Redlands)is using same Stadler train.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Ostermond]

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

[@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

[@goldenspatian517]

Connecticut introduced a commuter train a few years ago

[@Perich29]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@bklynbubba]

You are absolutely correct. it will take time to convince Americans that they are already working before they get to work by driving their cars instead of letting someone else take them.

[@TheBurlingtonTransitFan]

OMG! GRAPEVINE HAD A BUDD METROLINER!!!!

[@mj1234321]

Good eye, I caught that too! Close, but not actually a Metroliner - it's a related Budd SPV2000 that was later used as an unpowered coach. I guess it was purchased here, likely from the Connecticut DOT where they used them in commuter service (first as DMUs, later as unpowered trailers).

[@TheBurlingtonTransitFan]

@@mj1234321 Ok

[@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.

[@adennielsen]

This was at a station close to there i think in Dallas or something, there was an guy passed out on the tracks, an gas station being robbed down the road, Not very safe.

[@miniena7774]

WhyBother Blacks?

[@ronclark9724]

Nor was I impressed with all that graffiti on the Eurostar entry into Paris.... Paris didn't look safe to me....

[@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

[@LukaPOfficiel]

It’s so funny seeing a stadler train in the U.S, same door sounds on opening, closing, status sounds for blind people. Everything feels like you’re traveling in Germany, Switzerland, or in any other countries in Europe.

[@chesapeakerailphotography]

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

[@mazombieme4045]

They remind me of the Stadler Gtw, especially with the power carriage

[@stephanweinberger]

The difference is that the FLIRT are diesel electric with the traction motors distributed along the train (you can actually hear them in the video as the train arrives), whereas in the GTW actually only the wheels of the power container are driven (which limits the length of the GTW to a maximum of 3 passenger cars).

[@kbf6434]

How ironic! I was supposed to go to a work training in Fort Worth in March which was cancelled due to the pandemic. They wanted me to rent a car, but when I saw the hotel was close to the central station, I said I’d take this train instead. Thanks for reviewing it. Was it easy to get to your gate at DFW from where the train drops you off?

[@jeremiahbrand4838]

Honestly, this is the most annoying part about this train. It’s at Terminal B, which you can walk to from Terminal A, but if you want to get there from any of the other terminals, you have to take one of the airport bus shuttles. DFW has a monorail system but it’s inaccessible to you once you’re outside of security. The last time I flew in from Germany, I had to go through customs which leads you directly out of security, so I had no chance to take the monorail to terminal B where the train is. I hope that in the future they’ll figure out a better solution. Waiting around for the shuttle is annoying

[@kbf6434]

Jeremiah Brand I know that would be possible to use the monorail if you’re on a domestic flight (like I would have been). I hate having to go through security again whenever I fly internationally.

[@SteamboatWilley]

I see they have a similar power car to the Greater Anglia class 755. Interesting.

[@railwaystuff]

yeah because the 755 is based on the FLIRT trains

[@Spaceshotx7]

Also the very first seats at the front of the train, are they only blocked off temporarily during covid, or even before covid, were they always blocked off possibly for security reasons?

[@ronclark9724]

For the coronavirus... Otherwise these seats would not be blocked off...

[@doubleatheman]

I really hope the US gets trains built out like Europe some day. I've been to Europe once but that's all it took for me to see the advantage, plus trains are fun. Here in my metro in the US we just have a light rail system that services my Suberb, and honestly I'm lucky to have just that, I use it sometimes combine with my bike it's on par with car travle time prior to Covid.

[@toconn5454]

not in your lifetime bud

[@arkitect156]

Honestly the U.S has 2 completely different areas with public transport, the north eastern parts of the U.S depend on and us public transit so much more, like NYC and there subways, or long island rr, theres boston with light rail, philadelphia and then the NEC, then theres the southern/western areas who while they are heavily building up transport now, are much more layed out for the car when compared to eastern U.S cities

[@deanchapman1824]

That's because the Northeast grew and developed before the car.

[@EpicThe112]

Assembly of the train is in Salt Lake City even though the train shells came from Switzerland via the Port of Houston the detailed link is here www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/17/caltrain-electrification-project-california-bay-area-salt-lake-city-utah-stadler/ . I expect the same will be said of Eurodual Locomotives.

[@trainsfromnuremberg5611]

3:36 why the Lights at the front are doing this

[@jimbobertson4549]

We do have toilets on U.S. commuter trains but they’re not usually very clean. Especially the ones on Chicago’s metra.

[@mags3932]

New York needs this totally that would be nice and stop the nom air conditioning train problem in New york

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately New Yorkers would rather spend much more for social programs than spend another cent for transportation and infrastructure... Presently many New Yorkers are greedy and demand reparations... Never mind most Americans have immigrated to America AFTER the civil war...

[@steventurner820]

I like the style, but i'm not really a fan of the manual opening of the doors. I simply prefer automatic operation, less wear and tear on the buttons, and less confused people. Too many people will probably complain that "it looks ugly, why can't they bring back old school trains built in the US, blah, blah, blah" Also the reason our trains suck, is the fact that most of the big passenger rail groups don't get a lot of money. In fact, they get defunded while the airlines get bail-out packages

[@gradysbarber]

If my town had a rail network in general, I would ditch my car and travel by rail. Especially if it was using these types of trains 😊

[@mbrproductions160]

Definitely not my favorite Commuter Rail in the US but its still good to see cities invest in Railroads

[@jeramymoawwad1028]

i thought flilrt was only in the netherlens

[@R3VStudios]

Great video! Do you have plans to ride the northeast corridor?

[@calebtrains2261]

It's Packed With European Designed Locomotives.

[@glypnir]

I’ve ridden on that train, and it is so weird to see a European train with European couplers, and those European little door buttons. Of course, none of the DFW commuter rail is really USA based anyway. Texrail is Swiss designed. TRE locos and cars are Canadian, and DART cars are Japanese. Amtrak is US though. Even the McKinney Avenue trolleys are likely to be from Australia.

[@Tropicalfire]

Pretty sure the dcta atrains aren’t American either.

[@ronclark9724]

@@Tropicalfire Swiss Stadlers...

[@awdrifter3394]

The problem with commuting by train when compared to cars is that you'll have to leave home at least 10-15 mins so if there's any traffic or the train is 1-2 mins early, you won't miss it. So now you added 14-19 mins to a 24 min trip. I don't know how the parking situation is in Texas, but in most US cities you can find parking space in the office parking lot without waiting. So that's why commuting by train doesn't appeal to Americans. Don't get me wrong, I love your scenic train travel videos, but trains are a better fit for leisure travel in the US.

[@lissalack1490]

I would love to have this train to go to my local airport. I live in a suburb of Las Vegas, about 25 miles to the airport. There is an express airport bus but that station is about 8 miles from my house. No one we know wants to drive to the airport but will take us to the bus station. From there it is a 25 minute ride to the airport. I tried Uber but the driver didn't show! To drive ourselves and leave the car at the airport is expensive and a hassle because you have to park in a remote lot and. wait for an airport shuttle. It is always a pain to get to the airport and back home on our return.

[@ElPonyProductions]

It's so weird to see a Ferromex (Mexican) machine rolling in the US a little bit far from the border.

[@edwardcarter31]

Enjoy your reports.one problem.not enough time to read comments...

[@erikkrauss8481]

5:17 Britain Woah

[@tejmey]

Monsieur ce n'est pas stadler qui choisi les sieges dans les trains se sont les companies comme CFF ou TEXRail!

[@SimplyRailway]

Je sais, mais Stadler propose quand meme au client un catalogue de sieges qui ont etaient choisies par Stadler

[@tejmey]

Simply Railway Nooooon sais tu qu stadler fait? 80% des trains sont max customisable "tailormade" pour le client J'ai travailé chez stadler. Ils faisent tous qu tu veux si le prix est juste. Essaye le nouveau Flirt greather anglia de londres a norwich! Tu verras ce n'est pas le meme qu les CFFs. Je sais parce que j'ai assemblé les cabines conduites😊😉

[@iamaduckquack]

The new flirst trains we have in the UK are fine but the seats are so hard and uncomortable, very disapointing.

[@stantcpassion]

Dommage que la France ne s’intéresse pas aux stadler rail qui changerait des Alstom et bombardier d’actuel

[@krisat16]

Why did they go with a DMU?

[@ronclark9724]

No desire with the limited budget to add costly electric infrastructure...

[@MarkRandagio]

Italian railway buy much Flirt in this years

[@NSE465]

Wow the video editing is amazing now. And theres an intro. 10/10

[@hommedterre1]

I find it strange to see a european train travelling at a snails pace compared to our services here in Europe

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

well they do the very same on some side tracks in Europe, too

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@matthewflippin2195]

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

[@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.

[@MerleTrains]

@@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.

[@kaz9242]

I live in Germany and almost all commuter trains have toilets. Only s Bahn is an exception.

[@kennichdendenn]

Which has a good reason - those are not meant to be stayed in for long and to carry as many commuters as possible while beeing easy and quick to board (many doors). They also have a comparitively little number of seats for that reason. They stop often and accellerate very quickly. It is part of that concept (although I personally would not mind at least one toilet for longer rides at quieter times).

[@kidwillo2799]

Sebastian Amadeus van Brahms Well the S-Bahn Rhein-Neckar has Toilets as the EMUs that operate there are rather meant for regional and longer services than operating a S-Bahn. But if you take a ride on the longest line(202km) a toilet would sure be nice

[@erikgag]

@@kidwillo2799 i would personally call The Sbahn Rhein Neckar more like an Regionalbahn

[@kidwillo2799]

Erik Gag Yeah the S-Bahn Rhein-Neckar is surely more meant to be a Regional Service because the S-Bahn Rhein Neckar newest Lines I think where previous Regional Services

[@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.

[@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.

[@anshadk616]

Carefull buddy. 😥We want more reviews.✌️

[@spongebot64]

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

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

This is awesome!

[@a3th3r5t4r]

Yee

[@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)

[@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.

[@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.

[@ignoblesurfer6281]

Regarding the efficiency and hoping people switch: I agree, but you picked a bad example. Firstly, there's a Starbucks on every block here. Secondly, you didn't count the time waiting for the train. Really, it's best for point-to-point "destination" journeys. FTW to DFW, like you did here, is a perfect example. That would be SO much faster than driving in rush hour, parking, getting the shuttle to the airport (if you parked remotely). But people don't even know it exists. I live in Dallas and took the Orange Line to DFW a lot of times and people would look at me like I was crazy. But really, you see people using DART here in Dallas when there are sports events on at the AAC. It *is* possible to get people to switch, but it takes a hell of a lot of persuading for them to even try it once. Another thing. You mention both the American way of life, and that you felt a little unsafe back in FTW. These are significant factors, especially for women and families. It is a shame, but that's reality. Nonetheless, love your work. Hope you come back to Texas soon!

[@sarahmoores2724]

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

[@omarhamid3638]

It looks very European! Good to see announcements in English and Spanish.

[@mrbrainbob5320]

I agree its America and it is the 2 most spoken languages

[@flopunkt3665]

@@mrbrainbob5320 Especially in Texas

[@ericr.7311]

4:16 It ain't illegal to film on-duty police officers in the U.S. Though, respecting them is also poggers.

[@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

[@P3T14]

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

[@P3T14]

@@mrbrainbob5320 At the utah production facility👍🏼

[@mrbrainbob5320]

@@P3T14 yup

[@vasilicastoica1157]

America BRAVO my frends 👏👏👏👏👏👏vino să mă iei și pe mine?felicitări/Salutări din România Succes 🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴🇷🇴

[@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

[@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.

[@kentgordis7922]

Thank you for this excellent video. Regarding your comments about American attitudes about using mass transit, it's partially a matter of culture and habit, as you write, but it's also partially a matter of the lack of density. Even though the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area has a lot of people, many of them do not live close to a reasonably useful type of mass transit. If you look at the New York City metro area, where there is much greater density (including in the suburbs) you find a very high usage of mass transit. There is, of course, the New York City subway, but even in the suburbs, there is a very high usage rate of commuter rail. In fact, the three main commuter rail lines in the region (Long Island Railroad, Metro-North and NJ Transit) have an annual ridership of about 290 million people, more than all the rest of the mass transit systems in the rest of the United States combined. Continued development of mass transit in the United States is obviously very important, but will need to go hand in hand with denser and more urbanized zoning and construction (which is happening).

[@glypnir]

Kent Gordis you’re right, density is the big reason why rail transport isn’t practical in much of the US. In the Bos-Wash corridor, the only real spot where we have European levels of population density, trains are relatively successful. Someplace like Fort Worth, which is much more spread out even than Dallas in some ways, you have to use Park and Ride to get people on the train from home, and then buses to get them from the downtown station to work, assuming they work downtown. Texrail is experimenting with an Uber partnership at the suburban stations.

[@TheOwenMajor]

Americans don't want European density. I've lived in Europe for a few years, living in glorified shoeboxes is depressing.

[@MajorGeneralVeers]

Remaking the mid and south west cities into dense urban nightmares like NYC or LA is not going to go down well with the locals.

[@trainsandtrams2020]

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

[@cosmo5164]

9:33 Responding to your thought about cars, I find it better not to generalize the US by its use of vehicles but rather by state. It is true that the majority of the US rely on their cars to travel (mostly due to lack of other affordable/efficient options) but in Texas, car driving is embedded in its culture. The highways are enormous and people not only drive out of necessity but also out of enjoyment. When people say everything is bigger in Texas, they refer partly to the roads and massive pick-up trucks that many Texans drive, myself included. Even if the Texas state government or companies expand rail (which they are with Project Connect in Austin, high speed rail, and DART Silver line), I highly doubt the traffic on highways will be drastically affected just because of the culture Texas citizens are accustomed to. Additionally, as long as the US economy and infrastructure is dependent on capitalism and private entities, there is no chance the US government will invest more in rail transit. It is possible, however, that state governments might collaborate to divert passengers off highways and onto the tracks. American government requires some different thinking than in Europe. I would say the US is comparable to the EU while the states and their respective governments are equivalent to EU member countries. Not saying the forms/types of governments are similar, but I think this is a more to-scale model of how the US government operates.

[@ronclark9724]

America is also about local governments with their own taxation policies competing with other cities too...

[@cosmo5164]

@@ronclark9724 Yes true

[@deanchapman1824]

You're exactly right. The car culture is embedded in ALL the sunbelt cities. No matter how much rail/public transportation is built, it will still be under utilized. The only way that will change is if they force people out of their cars to take public transit. Not going to happen.

[@trainrover]

Interestingly un-American, investing in *narrow* trains down there, although their power units indeed seem cleverly quiet 🍷

[@mrbrainbob5320]

That made no sense but they are made in the US so that's the most important thing

[@jb5music]

Yes, We're Texas. We've improved from 1950s diesel locomotive wide gauge to... 1950s diesel locomotive wide gauge. What's ERL? ahyulk. Wooo I'm a gonna get thum varmits... wooo.

[@piemonte.bustrainspotting]

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

[@Spaceshotx7]

Are police officers not allowed to be filmed or photographed?

[@jeremiahbrand4838]

No they definitely are allowed to be filmed. Source: I live here

[@Bauer-ke6lp]

@@jeremiahbrand4838 It is weird that you have an extra rule for officers, in germany you just can't film anyone without permission and thats it.

[@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."

[@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.

[@AnubhabKundu]

BEMU trains and DMU trains can start off the US commuter rail market until at least 750 V DC electrification or the US OHLE system is put into service for commuter trains. US badly needs to have more and more passenger trains than freight trains. The metro system in the US should be backed by comfy trains. In India we have trains that are longer and heavier than EU and US train sets like these. Hope US also gets the diesel powered model of British Rail Class 745s. TEXRail has the British Rail Class 745s as I see. Class 230s or D-Trains are a new attempt at diesel hybrid sets, you should have a test ride on them if you go to the UK any time.