Operated near the performance and engineering limits of steel wheeled trains on traditional train tracks, passenger rail systems’ vehicles and equipment require higher levels of maintenance and repair than do their traditional freight train counterparts. Demands of quick acceleration and braking, frequent stopping for loading and discharging of passengers, higher than normal train speeds and the maintenance of tight daily schedules place greatly increased stresses, ware and repair demands on equipment and maintenance personnel as well.
Maintenance of the rolling stock of passenger rail services directly determines the quality of the passenger environment and quality of riding experience. The often-criticized low quality, and antiquated characteristics of train travel must be compensated for through modernization and upgrading of car interiors, as well as, boarding, ticketing and technology features of passenger trains. All of these upgraded features of passenger trains and services require optimal maintenance and performance, in order for passenger train services to remain an attractive alternative among mass transportation modes and services.
