Talk:Multiple unit

Budd RDCs

Were these MU-capable? Were they run in multiple very often? —Morven 21:43, Dec 28, 2004 (UTC)

They were MUs, and ran that way frequently. Some still run, but I can't say where. I rode RDCs on The Crusader and The Wall Street from Newark or Hoboken to Philadelphia with RDC MU trains. An interesting operation was the PRSL run from Philadelphia to Cape May. It left Philadelphia as a single train, then peeled off RDCs (singles usually) for Ocean City (one branch) and Wildwood (another) with the remaining train making Cape May. Reverse procedure westbound of course. -- Cecropia | explains it all ® 22:30, 28 Dec 2004 (UTC)

They should have their own article, and so should the Budd company. (anonymous, 2005-01-22, 05:06 UTC)

as indeed they now do. See: Budd Rail Diesel Car and Budd CompanyFawcett5 19:43, 22 Mar 2005 (UTC).

Just in case anyone is still wondering where they still run, R&N uses them occasionally for excursion trains. Photo at http://www.readingnorthern.com/photos/photo60.jpg of RDC in Lehigh Gorge, PA in 2000. Skabat169 17:28, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

Organization

"Multiple unit" can mean either (1) a system for controlling multiple railway vehicles from a single driving station, or (2) an independently powered rail car capable of being joined into a train controlled in this way, or (3) the resulting train. MU control can be used for locomotives, single cars (sense 2), or trams/streetcars.

Currently we have these articles (at least), with a severe shortage of links between them:

• diesel multiple unit - disambiguation of sense 1 (applied only to locomotives) and 2
• diesel multiple units - uses sense 2
• multiple unit - uses sense 3, overlaps the above article but is better written
• multiple-unit train control - defines sense 1 (ignoring locomotives)
• railcar - this term can mean sense 2 or a strictly independent powered car; the article touches on this and links to "multiple unit"

In addition there is conflicting information. "Multiple unit" says that the term diesel multiple unit (DMU) means one with a mechanical gearbox, which I have also seen called a DMMU (diesel-mechanical), while one with electric transmission is a DEMU (diesel-electric). On the other hand, "Diesel multiple units" says that the term DMU implies electric transmission. Neither one mentions the third option, hydraulic transmission (DHMU), as I believe the Budd RDC cars had.

Not only does the terminology need to be sorted out (perhaps some of the differences reflect British vs. North American usage, or other limited points of view), but I think the structure we need is:

• multiple unit - disambiguation
• multiple-unit control (renamed and expanded to mention locomotives)
• multiple-unit train (acknowledging senses 2 and 3, and combining the "multiple unit" and "diesel multiple unit")

As railcars are not necessarily MU vehicles, I would leave that article substantively alone except for tidying up; the "multiple-unit train" article should link to it, though.

(anonymous, 2005-01-22, 05:06 UTC)

I concur and wish to copy this to the Trains Project Page so that others will be informed. I do however wish to add that there should be a seperate Multiple Unit Vehicle page to seperate your sense 2 from multiple-unit train. And likewise, this all makes sense for North American Railroads, but I would need input from other continents to see if this works with their systems at all. Skabat169 17:33, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

• Comment: The expression "multiple unit" is confusing. It's really just two adjectives in search of a noun. Left on its own, it is probably meaningless to people who are not rail enthusiasts. As some of the other entries on this talk page point out, it is also confusing to rail enthusiasts, because it alludes to a form of control, a form of locomotive, and a form of train. The article the subject of this talk page is about self propelled multiple unit passenger trains. Such trains are normally made up of several powered vehicles, and sometimes also one or more trailer cars. Both the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the Oxford Dictionary use the expression "railcar" to refer to the powered rolling stock used in this type of train, whether it operates singly or in multiples. The article the subject of this talk page should therefore be named either "Multiple unit train" or "Multiple unit railcar train". There is already a separate article on control systems, and there should also be one on multiple unit locomotives.Bahnfrend (talk) 15:23, 7 December 2009 (UTC)

I would avoid the term "railcar"; I've always understood this to refer to a self-propelled carriage, although in the US it just refers to any train car. The Wikipedia article "railcar" also notes the confusion around this term. To me, a railcar means "self-propelled", while multiple unit trains have carriages that are useless when isolated, for example a train with driving trailers and separate motor cars (such as the British Rail Class 319) where no car in isolation is capable of anything. Ghiraddje 23:22, 26 December 2009 (UTC)

River Line in New Jersey

Since the rolling stock for the river line consists of Diesel-Electric self-propelled units, should these be referred to as "DEMU's" in the North America sub-section?TimeriderTech 05:20, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Hybrid Train link?

Any reason for inclusion here? No page for Hybrid Train, re-directs to Hybrid Locomotive, no apparent relevance to Multiple unit. Probably should be removed. Keo 01:13, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

The JR hybrid train is a MU Dellarb 10:21, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Disadvantages

I have modified the page to include disadvantages of MUs as well as their advantages. The same has been done to the locomotive page for fairness Dellarb 10:21, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

I removed the edits of Canterberry (shown below) from disadvantages since they read to me as comments, not encyclopedic content:

(The likelihood of a head-on collision is not stated, not is the assertion the the loco would act as a 'crumple zone'. In fact none of this has been substantiated or proven by means of references or citations. Canterberry 23:05, 22 May 2007 (UTC))

If people feel this is in error, discuss here before reinserting. Skabat169 19:42, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Disputed Description

I am moving the following passage here from the article, because I dispute it.

A multiple unit train consist has the same power and traction components as a locomotive, but instead of the components concentrating on one carbody, they are spread out on each car that make up the consist. Since the power and traction components are spread out on each car, these cars can only propel themselves when they are within one complete consist, thus make them semi-permanently connected. For example, a DMU might have one car carry the prime mover and traction motors, and another carry another engine for head end power generation; an EMU might have one car carry the pantograph and transformer, and another car carry the traction motors.

If the carriages are semi-permanently connected then what you have is not a consist of multiple units, but rather a single trainset. The article lists one of the advantages of multiple units as the ability to quickly make up or break apart a consist, which would be impossible if the carriages were semi-permanently attached.DHimmelspach 04:33, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

Well, these trainsets can be multiple united together and break apart, but instead of make up or break apart by carriages, they must be made up or broke apart by trainsets. Maybe "a consist" is the wrong word to use here, but that is what I usually heard. What do you think "a consist" might mean? --Will74205 05:33, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

I just replace "consist" with "set" and place the statement back into the article, which is the intended meaning. --Will74205 05:46, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

I see you also altered the definition of multiple unit and clarified the relationship between multiple units and railcars. I think much of the dispute here involves differences in rail terminology around the globe. When I saw "semi-permanently connected" I immediately thought of something like the Bombadier Talent. The Talent features carriages that share bogies, meaning that they cannot be unhitched. Under the definition before your recent edit, the Talent would have been an extremely long railcar rather than a multiple unit. The Talent and similar products such as the Siemens Desiro occupy a gray area in rail terminology. As you have now defined multiple unit, these trains are included. I would argue that the Talent and the Desiro are modern descendants of the streamliners built just prior to and just after World War II and should occupy a separate category from multiple units. Historically, the term multiple unit arose in tram and rapid transit settings. In these settings, both then and now, train consists (US usage) or sets (UK usage) are composed of fully autonomous units that each have their own motive power. Since the Talent and the Desiro include many unpowered carriages, I think they belong in a seperate category which I call trainsets, not to be confused with train sets in UK usage. I didn't make any further edits because I don't want to get into an edit war, but I think these differences should be acknowledged. DHimmelspach 21:41, 11 March 2007 (UTC) Okay, I did go back and add a fact tag. I'm not so certain that "multiple unit trainsets" are more common than consists of autonomous units and would like a citation to confirm this fact. DHimmelspach 22:56, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

Well I add it because most EMU and DMU are trainsets by observation, perhaps it should be reworded. Should we restrict this article to describe the capability to be multiple united together, or multiple unit trains. I am not entirely happy with the current introduction either. I guess we can expand the definition of Multiple Unit to include all train cars and trainsets that can propel themselves, combined with like units, and operate from one single control cab. In this definition, Multiple Unit also covers the the common US usage on locomotives. What I meant to describe was a trainset cannot move by themselves if they are not in one complete set, such that a motor car cannot move without a power car, and vice versa. This is what I meant by "semi-permanently connected". --Will74205 23:04, 11 March 2007 (UTC) Edited --Will74205 23:15, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

My opinion - trainsets belongs in a seperate article. These are typically entire sets meant to run as a unit with little switching out of cars while MU's are generally self-contained in single units or married pairs. But this may just need further discussion and rewording. Skabat169 05:00, 9 June 2007 (UTC)

Advantages/Disadvantages section

Right now, the advantages/disadvantages section appears to be the biggest weakness. Multiple units, as defined by Wikipedia articles on the individual classes (all the articles that define train classes as multiple units), are of at least three types. The British Rail Class 319 EMU is a four-car unit that can be run in multiple (e.g. an eight-car train) but has a single motorised car in the middle, two driving cars and a trailing car. A British Rail Class 222 DEMU has all cars motorised, driving cars included. All TGV trains however, while commonly used in multiple, do still use locomotives at each end of the train. The advantages/disadvantages section has many good points but it contradicts the reality of multiple units. They don't have to have driving carriages instead of locomotives nor do they have to have every carriage motorised. All they require is that you can take two trains, join them end to end, and control both as one from a single cab. That is, unless you redefine multiple unit right across Wikipedia. Ghiraddje 14:33, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

Re-Write

Whoever re-wrote this article needs to do some revision about Wikipedia, and the need to verify all entries. This article has ZERO citations/references. All the time that has been spent on revising the article has to some extent been wasted, as the person(s) forgot to add any reference/citations. I shall review this page in one months time ... if it has not been improved then I shall recommend that it be deleted for not having any citations. I have given "fair warning" ... so act now.Sheepcot 20:52, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Instead of blaming others for not including references, perhaps you should try to find some yourself. The problem with Multiple Unit is that its usage varies slightly in the world. So the description in the article is meant to be as inclusive as possible while stating the differences between a multiple unit and a locomotive hauled train. --Will74205 22:02, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

Listen to me. I have pointed out a problem with this article. I am not claiming to be a "lead editor" for this page, and claim glory when it gets its status improved. All I have done is indicate a flaw in the article that should have been rectified when the page was re-written. It is not up to me to include the references, I see my role as more of a project manager. Sheepcot 22:09, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

I see: a boss, not a worker. Why do assume, Sheepcot, that the plebs only contribute for "glory"? I agree wholeheartedly with Will74205. If you see a problem and can fix it, then do so (that, surely, is the true spirit of Wp). Otherwise I suggest you keep your negativist "fair warnings" to yourself. (Sorry to be rude, but some things just cannot be left unanswered.) -- Picapica 11:50, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

Multiple-unit train control

I am attempting to seperate all the discussion of MU as in train control into the article Multiple-unit train control, leaving all discussion of MU the cars for this article, EMU, and DMU. As such, I edited the article, fixing a few UK/USA problems as well. Feel free to change the other edits, but the MU Train Control removals I would prefer that they're discussed here or at Talk:Multiple-unit_train_control first. Thanks. Skabat169 05:00, 9 June 2007 (UTC)

The article still needs a major re-write. In fact, I think its now worse than before. Canterberry 12:15, 9 June 2007 (UTC)

Inaccuracy

I totally agree about the lack of sources on this page, but this comment is just downright erroneous:

Axle load - Multiple units have lighter axle loads, allowing operation on lighter tracks, where locomotives are banned, such as the Whitby line in the UK. Another side effect of this is reduced track wear, as traction forces can be provided through many axles, rather than just the four or six of a locomotive

I've been down the Esk Valley Line in the recent years in a LHCS set, and I know of other operations using such. Perhaps certain heavy locomotives are barred due to their weight, but just to say "Locomotives are banned" is dubious to say the least. If I'm hopelessy and utterly wrong, do correct me, otherwise I will remove this claim in about a week.

--79.66.115.234 (talk) 00:04, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

You can, indeed, remove the inaccurate sentence in the article if you know it's de facto wrong. -- Sameboat - 同舟 (talk) 00:50, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

It is wrong - there's even a picture on the Esk Valley Line page of a locomotive on the line, in recent years. Admittedly it's hardly a modern one (it's a steam locomotive; it looks like the North Yorkshire Moors railway runs some to Whitby), but it's still a locomotive. I've removed that bit of text. Riedquat (talk) 01:56, 5 December 2008 (UTC)

BIASED

These look like complete faulse argumentations, problably because they are based on the caractheristics of the authors localized trains. Multiple units versus locomotive-hauled trains Advantages Multiple units have several advantages over locomotive-hauled trains: Energy efficiency — MUs are more energy efficient than locomotive-hauled trains. They are more nimble, especially on grades, as much more of the train's weight (sometimes all of it) is carried on power-driven wheels, rather than suffer the dead weight of unpowered hauled coaches. In addition, they have a lower weight-per-seat value than locomotive-hauled trains since they do not have a bulky locomotive that does not itself carry passengers but contributes to the total weight of the train. This is particularly important for train services that have frequent stops, since the energy consumed for accelerating the train increases significantly with an increase in weight. - not always true , actually almost never true , a heavier locomotive would be considered as "travelling light" if it only would need to carry 3-6 cars behind Higher acceleration rate — Because of the energy efficiency, higher power - to - weight ratio and higher adhesive weight to total weight ratio values, MUs generally have higher acceleration ability than locomotive type trains and are favored in urban trains and subways for frequent start - stop routines. - it neglects the FACT that most of the MU's out there actually only have one or two motorized cars in a bigger consist so that argument is not that widespread as one would assume by reading this comment No need to turn locomotive — Most MUs have cabs at both ends, resulting in quicker turnaround times, reduced crewing costs, and enhanced safety. The faster turnaround time and the reduced size (due to higher frequencies) as compared to large locomotive-hauled trains, has made the MU a major part of suburban commuter rail services in many countries. MUs are also used by most rapid transit systems. However it is necessary to note that this is no longer a problem for locomotive hauled trains due to increasingly widespread usage of push-pull trains. - Everywhere theres top'n'tailing and push-pull consists "identical" to what this article passes as MU ... simply because localized traction (a.k.a. locomotive) and "fixed-permanent" consists are not mutually exclusive Makeup can be changed mid journey — MUs may usually be quickly made up or separated into sets of varying lengths. Several multiple units may run as a single train, then be broken at a junction point into smaller trains for different destinations. - again not a valid point ... it costs as much (time , manpower and such) to detach and attack two MU or two racks of coaches at a station ... Reliability — Due to having multiple engines, or motors, the failure of one engine does not prevent the train from continuing its journey. A locomotive drawn train typically only has one power unit whose failure will disable the train. Some locomotive hauled trains may contain more than one power unit and thus be able to continue at reduced speed after the failure of one. - what has this paragraph to do with reliability ??? breaking up during a trip is not reliability ... is lack of it ... and again most MU only have one powered car. Safety — Multiple units normally have completely independent braking systems on all cars meaning the failure of the brakes on one car does not prevent the brakes from operating on the other cars. - When did the MU started to have "independent brakes" on all cars ??? the brakings are centrally operated in most MU. Axle load — Multiple units have lighter axle loads, allowing operation on lighter tracks, where locomotives are banned. Another side effect of this is reduced track wear, as traction forces can be provided through many axles, rather than just the four or six of a locomotive - again not true ... with distributed power the entire consist is heavier due to the increased weight spread evenly along the train ... with concentrated power the car that would be a locomotive in a loco hauled consist has the aditional weight of the passengers ... so twise untrue. - a loco hauled consist would be lighter due to the specialized nature of the cars (either powerhead or passenger/cargo) Easy and quick driving — Multiple units generally have rigid couplers instead of the flexible ones on locomotive hauled trains. That means, brakes or throttle can be more quickly applied without excessive amount of jerk experienced in passenger coaches. - and usually it's the other way around ... and what is "easy and quick driving" ... is this some joke or it's about "ride quality". Allowance for accurate performance calculations for timetabling purposes - In a locomotive - hauled train, if number of cars is increased in order to meet the demand, acceleration and braking performance drops. This calls for the necessity that, the performance calculations are to be done taking the heaviest train composition into account. This may sometimes lead some trains in off- peak periods to be overpowered with respect to the required performance. But when two or more multiple units are coupled; train performance remains almost unchanged. However it is necessary to note that in loco hauled train compositions this problem can be solved by using more powerful locomotives when a train is longer. - Timetables usually have Margins and Tolerances big enough to cope with these factors ... --- Not even worth mentioning the amateur~grade of the "disadvantages" section Sotavento (talk) 01:58, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Schlepptriebwagen

In Switzerland, there are quite a few things that are used like locomotives, but have seats or a luggage compartment. In contrast to what is normally considered to be a multiple unit, the pantograph, transformer, compressor, motors etc. are all in one single vehicle, which can be used alone (but usually isn't). Practically all of them feature some sort of remote control and are normally used for push-pull trains (the coaches are normal passenger coaches and don't contain anything needed to drive the train). Most have cabs on both ends, but some don't. What would be the proper term to use?

• 
• 
• 

--Kabelleger (talk) 22:42, 6 December 2010 (UTC)

Carriage or train?

The current text says both that a multiple unit is a carriage and that it is a whole train. This is confusing. Jdthood (talk) 19:27, 4 September 2017 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for speedy deletion:

• Train18.jpg

You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 16:21, 15 February 2019 (UTC)

Talgo vs. multiple unit

hello

what about Talgo system?

i think is not a Multiple Unit: they require a Locomotive, whit all driving, power device and motor in one heavy car (at head of train, at least)

and probably can work as a big-long carriage with any kind of locomotive: commons:File:EN11273MilanoCLE.jpg

so i think talgo such RENFE_Class_130 and RENFE_Class_730 are not Multiple Unit.

then, why on Talgo and "Category:Electric multiple units of Spain" they are reported as Multiple unit?

--151.82.62.117 (talk) 22:31, 12 April 2019 (UTC)

This article = TOTAL CONFUSION

..is very hard to understand what is / what want to be this article.

This article want to be about:

• (A) "trains that can be joined in one single convoy with Multiple-unit train control technology"

or

• (B) "a convoy formed by multiple trains under Multiple-unit train control"

or

• (C) "trains with motors distributed along the convoy instead that in one only locomotive-car, opposed to locomotive-hauled trains - independently by the power source they use"
  (such Electric multiple unit, Electro-diesel multiple unit, Diesel multiple unit)

...????????????????????

By reading the article at now, it's all a confusion between this different things.

note that a "trains with motors distributed along the convoy instead that in one only locomotive-car, opposed to locomotive-hauled trains" it is not always / necessarily able to be joined with other trains with Multiple-unit train control or similar technology (expecially the oldests).

--151.34.252.211 (talk) 07:51, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

These articles have always been a mess, the categorisation especially so. In definitive terms, it has always been about the ability to operate either as one 'unit' or multiple, with the control from one cab slaved, on demand, to the leading cab. Nowadays this applies to many vehicles (it's convenient and not so hard to achieve) but in the past there have been many railcars which did not permit that. Some of those railcars were single units, some articulated sets, some were multiple, coupleable and uncoupleable power cars within a set which yet couldn't be joined between sets.

For categorization, anything and everything that doesn't have a distinct locomotive seems to get dropped in.

There's also the concept of the 'central generator car', which appeared in the 1930s. A single diesel engine and generator provides electrical power to driving axles distributed through the train. That has nothing to do with multiple operation either (the control is still from a single cab at each end and sets can't be interlinked).

...This seems to be similar to the current stadler flirt BMU powerpack idea (it:Treno Bimodale Stadler BTR.813, British Rail Class 755), except for fact they can work in multiple-train joined mode;
can you please tell more about this 1930s concept, some model?
--151.38.71.80 (talk) 11:01, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

Armstrong Whitworth would be the start, with their mobile powerhouse concept, which sold to South America: Brazil and Argentina at least, in 1929 and 1932. The prime movers were licence-built Armstrong-Sulzer straight-8s of 1700 bhp. Brian Webb's book covers them: Webb, Brian (2010). Armstrong Whitworth: A Pioneer of World Diesel Traction. Lightmoor Publishing. ISBN 9781899889457. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help) Unlike the earlier diesel-hydraulic locos for South America, they seem to have worked well and had a long life in service. Andy Dingley (talk) 20:13, 14 April 2019 (UTC)

thank you for reply! ...but, as you can guess, my english is not good enough to drive me fine on a technical-book full reading! :-( ..if i try, probably i die before to understand it.. becoming old! ;-)
please take a look and opinion on the next topic.
--151.68.195.74 (talk) 18:57, 17 April 2019 (UTC)
p.s. : derbysulzers.com "Armstrong Whitworth Locomotives & Railcars in the United Kingdom"

In the 1970s, various high speed trains like the HST and the TGV appeared. This later developed into the Driving Van Trailer concept. These have a "power car" at one or both ends, and they may distribute electrical power from that power car to traction motors in the passenger stock. Control is from either end, which for the DVT might be an unpowered trailer. And yet, unless these sets can also be coupled together and controlled as one, they still aren't multiple units.

Most recently, such as the BR Class 800, we are back to true multiple units. In fact, they mostly at present operate in pairs of sets, under single control.
Andy Dingley (talk) 09:12, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

Your reply is fine about a lot of interesting things on "traction-diffused train", but it have not fine answer and solution about the question on the meaning of this article: now is A, B, C or what mix of them?
what is better to point to be, A, B or C?
how to made this?
...if this article point to be about A (and B), i suggest in first to change title in something similar to Multi-train convoy, in order to avoid confusion to "multiple unit" intended as "train where multiple motor units are distributed at least on two cars along the length of the train, instead that with all motors mounted on single (or coupled) locomotive at the head";
...note that for me, the basic difference between EMU/BMU/DMU and "locomotive-hauled trains" - or "locomotive-pushed trains" when inverted - is to be or not a "distributed traction train" (.. close to Distributed power), where not all the cars without motors are hauled by motors on head of train (or all pushed by the motors only placed on the tail), but some is pushed or both hauled and pushed, giving better performance in train start (and on high incline), in addition to realize a low maximum axle load.
regards
--151.38.71.80 (talk) 11:01, 13 April 2019 (UTC)

Proposal of renaming to "Multiple-train convoy" or "Multiple-unit convoy"

as probably this article want ONLY to be related to trains capable to be coupled, driven by a single control through Multiple-unit train control, making a convoy of multiple train working together, and about this kind of convoy made by multiple trains, BUT NOT to be main page about trains with distributed traction (or every kind different from be simple hauled or pushed by a locomotive) especially if they cannot be coupled (...), i suggest/propose this two changes:

• rename this article to "Multiple-train convoy" or "Multiple-unit convoy" (not "Multiple-unit train")
• create a new article "Distributed-traction train", where move what on the actual "Multiple unit" are not good to stay when renamed to "Multiple-train convoy" or "Multiple-unit convoy"

the "Distributed-traction train" new article will so explore any kind of train with distributed traction (no matter if by electric, diesel, what else power source), passenger or freight (also linking Distributed power, which seems to talk only about freight train, and only by more than a locomotive across the train, instead that whit multiple motor-axle across the train, even in normal carriages.)

what do you think? excuse me for bad english.

--151.68.195.74 (talk) 18:57, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

• Oppose as WP:NEOLOGISM Andy Dingley (talk) 19:11, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

i'm in trouble to understand; can you please explain if you oppose for NEOLOGISM to:

A) rename this article to "Multiple-train convoy"

B) rename this article to "Multiple-unit convoy"

C) create a new article "Distributed-traction train"

D) what mix of the A/B/C options above

thank you. --151.68.195.74 (talk) 20:11, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

All three of those are neologisms. Two of them are "new" names for a recognised existing term. Andy Dingley (talk) 21:11, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

No, "Distributed-traction train" is not a neologism; "Distributed-traction" referred to a train exist, and exist even here on wikipedia: SNCF TGV Duplex, ICE T, AGV (train), Frecciarossa 1000, M250 series, HEMU-430X, AVE Class 103, ....
i think that even only create this new article - without renaming of "Multiple unit" article, can be good, better than now.
--151.36.170.237 (talk) 21:36, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

"Distributed-traction train" is a good term for it, and it would be good to have an article on it. As noted above, the concept is 90 years old. But it is not WP's role to invent what the name should be for it. Andy Dingley (talk) 21:43, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

the reply on the next topic ( --151.68.28.76 (talk) 06:47, 18 April 2019 (UTC) )

Proposal of new article and category named "Distributed-traction train"

-- following from topic above --

Well, so you say "yes" to new article named "Distributed-traction train"; right? ...then i can't understand what is the problem about you have on this by adding "But it is NOT WP's role to invent what the name should be for it"; can you please explain better/with other words? (maybe i've just problem on understanding english).

Also, i think can be good to create "Category:Distributed-traction train", for collect all distributed-traction trains, pointing for general reference on the homonim new article.

--151.68.28.76 (talk) 06:47, 18 April 2019 (UTC)

p.s.

maybe also Distributed traction (trains) or Distributed traction (railways) can be good options for new article, without any kind of issue about neologism.

catergory still be good Category:Distributed-traction train, with 3 subcategory:

• "Full distributed traction", reserved to trains where all axles are motorized or at least one axle for bogie ( example: FS Class ETR 200 )
• "Partial distributed traction", for trains with a lot of motorized axles/bogies distributed along the carriages/cars (example: AGV 7 cars: Bo'(2)(2)(Bo')(Bo')(2)(2), Stadler GTW 4/12: 2'+Bo+2'+2'+Bo+2', Stadler Eurasia 6 cars: 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′), and for trains with at least two axles/bogies motorized but not in the same car (or adjacent cars), placed in way that a good part of the not motorized carriages/bogies/axles be at the same time pulled and pushed (example: most part of Stadler Flirt 4 cars: Bo′2′2′2′Bo′)
• "Locomotives-distributed traction", for trains with at least two locomotives and/or "locomotive-like cars" not one in the side to the other, but distributed along the train, making the most part of the not motorized carriages/bogies/axles be at the same time pulled and pushed (example: ETR.500, TGV, Distributed power system)

note that, as example, stadler GTW version 2/6 (2'+Bo+2') and 2/8 (2'+Bo+2'+2') do not match any of the above categories, 'cause the 2 axles are in the same car; 4/8 version (2'+Bo+0+Bo+2) do not match any of the above categories 'cause all the 4 motorized axles are adjacent (even in separate cars), so none of the not motorized axle is at the same time pulled and pushed (the 2 not motorized axes on head are pushed, the other 2 axes on tail are pulled). re-re-FIX; --151.34.91.167 (talk) 15:16, 18 April 2019 (UTC)

--151.34.91.167 (talk) 14:25, 18 April 2019 (UTC)

p.p.s.
.. anyway, an hipotetical 2'+Bo′+Bo′+Bo′+2' (or with more intermediate Bo') can be certainly put on "Partial distributed traction" subcategory, even if none not-motorized axles are at the same time pulled and pushed, 'because the major part of the axles on this hipotetical train are motorized.
So, maybe can be good to consider suitable for "Partial distributed traction" subcategory even trains where the number of motorized axles are at least equal to number of not-motorized axles, except where motorized axles are placed all on head or all on tail (so yes, maybe can be good to consider even the Stadler GTW 4/8 as "Partial distributed traction" train).

--151.34.91.167 (talk) 15:16, 18 April 2019 (UTC)

Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for deletion:

• ICF DEMU.jpg
• ICF MEMU.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 17:30, 20 December 2022 (UTC)

How was the multiple unit invented after it had already been in service?

Multiple-unit train control was first used in electric multiple units in the 1890s.

The Liverpool Overhead Railway opened in 1893 with two-car electric multiple units, controllers in cabs at both ends directly controlling the traction current to motors on both cars.

The multiple-unit traction control system was developed by Frank Sprague and first applied and tested on the South Side Elevated Railroad (now part of the Chicago 'L') in 1897. In 1895, derived from his company's invention and production of direct-current elevator control systems, Frank Sprague invented a multiple-unit controller for electric train operation. This accelerated the construction of electric-traction railways and trolley systems worldwide. Each car of the train has its own traction motors: by means of motor control relays in each car energized by train-line wires from the front car, all the traction motors in the train are controlled in unison.

Reading it as it is currently phased it makes it seem like the multiple unit was in use two years before it was invented. I Like The british Rail Class 483 (talk) 16:17, 27 July 2023 (UTC)

Read what you wrote again, specifically "all the traction motors in the train are controlled in unison" which was not the case for the example you give. Trainsandotherthings (talk) 22:42, 27 July 2023 (UTC)