photo: Queensland State Archives, CC BY 2.0/1st Class Pullman Sleeper Sleeping car, 1912
Today we take train travel for granted, but this was not the case before. In the past, it was a sign of luxury, but over time it has become more affordable.
The times are moving forward and the means of transport are becoming more modern daily. In the past century, great technological advances have affected all areas of human life. For the most part, this has been the development and advancement in transportation. What was previously unthinkable and unaffordable suddenly became a reality.
Read more
Berlin Hauptbahnhof undergoes major rail upgrades in early 2025, affecting train schedules. Temporary closures, route changes, and alternative connections…
Today we use technology to improve and simplify our lives. With all the technological advances, we can no longer imagine using the technologies and means of transport that were groundbreaking a century ago. So what is the difference between rail transport today and a hundred years ago, when huge innovations were made?
Today 100 Trips Per Month, a Hundred Years Ago Only 3
It's not news that our lives often revolve around money. It was no different a hundred years ago. When the railways developed, the world suddenly became more affordable. For example, a trip between New York and California that used to take one or two months was reduced to just a few days thanks to the development of the railroad. With trains came the accessibility and reachability of the outside world. But it wasn't free. Even though there were suddenly trains for everyone, that wasn't quite true. Train travel was considered a luxury that not everyone could afford.
There was even a third class that was the cheapest, but even so, it wasn't cheap. In the former Czechoslovakia, for instance, the average monthly wage was between 8 and 11 euros. One journey from Prague to Brno cost 3 euros. This means that people could afford 3 to 4 tickets for their entire salary. With today's salaries and prices of rail transport in the Czech Republic, a person can afford about 100 journeys. A hundred years ago, train travel was considered an out-of-reach experience, but today it is a normal part of our lives and we don't even think about the possibilities of today.
The Sleeping Car Revolution
Passenger comfort is a priority for today's rail operators. They are constantly improving their trains to enhance the travel experience. Of course, this has not always been the case. It wasn't until George Mortimer Pullman came up with a revolutionary invention. He decided to improve the comfort of ordinary passengers, inspired by his own experience. In the mid-19th century, he traveled in an uncomfortable and cold night carriage from New York to Chicago. Thanks to this experience, after the end of the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, he created the Pullman sleeper train, which was a revolution of its time.
Read more
Alstom has announced the appointment of Jörg Nikutta as Managing Director for Norway, in addition to his existing leadership role in Denmark. Nikutta will…
Previously Modern, Today a Piece of History
A century ago, train travel was purely for the transportation of passengers and freight. Nowadays, however, rail transport has many more uses. Of course, the main purpose remains the same, except now rail has many forms. There are many lines that are no longer in normal operation and serve only as tourist lines. Most often, for example, these are lines that were closed in the past, but due to their exceptional nature and tourist interest, they have been reopened for tourism purposes. Today, it is also possible to ride on historic trains and locomotives that were in common use a hundred years ago. Quite simply, what is history to us today was once modern.
Source: farandwide.com; ustecky.denik.cz; trainhistory.net