by darthdoosh
Hey everyone, I don't think this has been discussed before (or at least I couldn't find a discussion). A few months ago I had my first experience with the HBLR, and it was the first time I ever noticed a train in this country having those "buttons" to open the doors only when someone is actually entering or exiting, and then all the doors would open at busier stops. I had first seen this in the UK, and I always thought it would be a great idea here with our seasonal temperature extremes - and all that hot or cool air escaping when every door is opened. Ironically, if I remember correctly, the class of MU in the UK I rode on with the buttons doors didn't even have air conditioning. Go figure! At first I thought maybe it just wasn't "the custom" for US trains to have those types of doors, just as we never really had commuter cars with compartments or rows of "slam doors." But then HBLR surprised me.
Any reason the LIRR and other tri-state commuter RRs haven't featured these doors? Does anyone predict that future trains might begin to feature them? My first guess would just be a question of "it's another thing that can break." But it seems like they could be beneficial to both the climate control systems and enhance rider comfort a slight bit on those extreme hot or cool days.
Any reason the LIRR and other tri-state commuter RRs haven't featured these doors? Does anyone predict that future trains might begin to feature them? My first guess would just be a question of "it's another thing that can break." But it seems like they could be beneficial to both the climate control systems and enhance rider comfort a slight bit on those extreme hot or cool days.