Passenger cars on trains can have dining services, cabins, and luggage storage. They come in different designs, including single level open hall coach, compartment cars, double-decker cars, and observation cars. Some have entertainment options and are powered by self-propelled electric or diesel engines.
A passenger car is the vehicle on a train that carries passengers. In addition to providing seats for travelers, a train car may also have a dining service, cabins, and luggage storage areas. Until they were withdrawn from service in 1977, American railroad cars were also subject to the definition of a passenger car. The term “passenger car” can also refer to most cars found on the roads, which are designed to carry passengers.
A railroad car can come in many different designs. The most familiar is the single level open hall coach. This type of car contains passenger seats in rows on each side of the vehicle, with an open aisle running through the middle of the car, similar to the layout of a commercial airliner.
The second most popular variant is the single level compartment car. In these vehicles, the seats are arranged in walled compartments, some of which may contain beds for overnight trips. A long corridor runs through the far side of the vehicle to allow access to the compartments. There are some passenger cars that use wagon and compartment designs, with the wagon seats generally being located at the ends of the vehicle.
In crowded cities or on popular routes, two-level or double-decker, passenger cars are often used. This layout is usually seen in major cities because it doubles the capacity potential of the train without requiring additional vehicles. The idea behind these cars is to alleviate train traffic congestion without requiring new train lines.
Another feature that can be found in a passenger car is the observation car. The observation car is the last vehicle on the train and usually contains windows placed in a “U” shape around the outside of the car to allow passengers a view of the outside. Some observation cars contain a limited number of seats, while others are quite large and can incorporate dining functions and even beds. Most American railroads stopped using observation cars in the 1950s, but they are still found on passenger trains around the world.
In very rare cases, rail cars designed for long journeys may be equipped with entertainment options. Some passenger cars may even have movie theaters and nightclubs. These are becoming less frequent as modern high-speed trains continually reduce average journey times.
Many modern passenger cars are powered by self-propelled electric power. These types of vehicles are most commonly seen in urban areas in the form of light rails and subways. In less traveled areas, especially in European countries, railway carriages are powered by self-propelled diesel engines. The self-propelled power is gaining popularity over the locomotive-pulled varieties, although the latter can still be found around the world.
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