[bluGill]

American trains are the best in the world - at freight. even overall I'd call us rail best in the world - the state of freight rail is that bad in most of the world.

of course people see passanger trains and don't think of freight. However that is missing the true picture.

[vivzkestrel]

naa, in india we got double stacked container trains fully electrified across 95% of 40000 mile route. you guys are still running on diesel

[bluGill]

That is a factor in India's favor, but there are a lot of other factors. Overall India just doesn't move that much freight when you examine everything so I still give the point the the US despite things not being perfect.

Of course how you weigh the various factors in subjective. The more important take away is there are lots of different things in the world and you should be working on where your weaknesses are not trying to claim you are great despite them. (I'm only claiming US good here in reaction to the passenger focus - I'm aware of plenty of problems with US rail that are not on topic so I'm not giving indication of being aware. I don't know you, hopefully you are honest about the shortcomings of whatever your system is and working on fixing them where it it appropriate)

[guappa]

I'd really like to know where you're taking this claim from.

[timeon]

> best in the world

Except for the electricity.

[4ggr0]

> I'd call us rail best in the world

ever heard of Japan or Switzerland or China or ...?

[bombcar]

The USA moves an incredibly insane amount of bulk goods by rail ridiculously long distances.

It’s so insane that it’s probably too cheap and we should do something else, but there are trains full of petroleum because a pipeline hasn’t been built.

And if coal is being brought to Newcastle it likely crossed the USA in a bulk train.