A visit to IR's American counterpart. Some local rail fanning around San Diego, California.
Pic 1) Double Decker coach used in a local (66km) commuter service. These coaches are slightly taller ( 4.9m) compared to our DD coaches.
Pic2) A transit station, showing the Tram tracks. The mainline is to the left side. These transit centres are spread through out the city. They have connections to the Tram ( called trolley here), commuter trains, main line trains and have an attached bus stand.
Pic...
more...

3) The same transit station, showing the portion with the main line. Note the low platforms and lack of any major structures on the platform. The tracks are of Standard gauge ( 1435 mm ).
Pic 4) The locomotive for the commuter train in Pic 1. These trains are like our earlier version of Sapthagiri express. The last coach in the train has a control room from where the LP can remotely control the locomotive, allowing the train to run without a loco reversal.
The locomotive is an EMD F40PHM-2C, a Standard gauge Bo-Bo locomotive, with 3200HP and an MPS of 177kmph. The locomotive also has a HOG system providing power to the coaches with 480V supply. Note that the rake does not contain a separate power car.
Pic 5) A long distance service. This one too uses double decker coaches with similar features to the one in pic 4. The locomotive is an EMD F59PHI. A 3200 HP, Bo-Bo loco, with an MPS of 177kmph and a HOG system.
Pic 6) The tram service, which is the equivalent of our Metro service.
Pic 7). Note how the OHE wires are suspended from the poles on either side of the track and there are no individual catenary arms holding the wires. The whole OHE system is like a wire mesh hanging on the tracks.