Post

Can someone who works in rolling stock explain to me why European subway systems don’t have AC? Is there a hidden cost to converting a line to AC that I’m unfamiliar with?

27/6/26, 1:22 pm1 repost22 likes

Midmantle

@midmantle.bsky.social

28 June

I’m more amazed that even many buses in Europe don’t have air conditioning. European cars have AC, so why not buses

davidmarlor.bsky.social

@davidmarlor.bsky.social

27 June

Two reasons. Uses more power so may have to upgrade power supply or run less trains. In deep level tunnels ventilation limits for exhausting hot air removed from the train. The heat has to go somewhere. Historically no real need for it as it rarely gets that hot in northern europe.

Actually fascinating. As someone who had never worked with a non air conditioned system I guess I never thought about what it takes to

Railmaps

@railmaps.com.au

27 June

In the UK, the constricted loading gauge is a real problem. Most particularly on the London Underground.

Garrett Wollman

@gwollman.bsky.social

27 June

And you end up putting the rejected heat in the tunnels and stations, unless you have full-height PSDs at every station.

Ben R

@reben.bsky.social

27 June

m.youtube.com/watch?is=uMY...

m.youtube.comCan This Building Save The London Underground From Overheating?YouTube video by Mind The Facts

Connor Crowley

@croweleycf.bsky.social

27 June

Constricted loading guage, how to evac the heat out of the tunnels, extra costs on the buy and maintenance side, introduces condensation and water sucks.

Hayden Clarkin

@thetransitguy.com

27 June

Ahhhh, this is actually really helpful.

ambrosen

@ambrosen.eurosky.social

27 June

I'm sure there was a @lonrec.bsky.social article/series about it, but it seems something's gone funny with their archive.

rogerslowie.bsky.social

@rogerslowie.bsky.social

27 June

Is that true? Madrid does - how well it works is another story. I remember in Manila the tremendous relief getting out of the subway and feeling the refreshing cool air - of course it was 32 degrees with 80% humidity, but compared to the being pressed against human flesh in the subway, it was heaven

Kevin

@zerocarbonkev.bsky.social

27 June

Worst I have ever felt (20 years ago)was the team to the beach in the Hague on the hottest day of the year, with half the country trying to get to the beach. But I believe newer trams might have AC?

Hugo von der Thüsen

@hugovdthusen.com

27 June

Yes, the last trams without AC will be phased out in the coming years and replaced by modern Stadler Tina vehicles