RHT and LHT trains

[Alxxxs]

Is my understanding that generally speaking trains do not need to be customized for right-hand or left-hand driving and same sets can be used on both types of railways (like Eurostar in the UK and France and DB ICE trains in France and Germany)? I also heard that the positioning of the driver’s seat inside the cab (right, left or center) doesn’t really depend on the above either. Or are there still some nuances?

 

[cool110]

It does matter when there's a gangway connection, since it creates a huge blind spot that can easily obscure signals when sat on the wrong side.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Is my understanding that generally speaking trains do not need to be customized for right-hand or left-hand driving and same sets can be used on both types of railways (like Eurostar in the UK and France and DB ICE trains in France and Germany)? I also heard that the positioning of the driver’s seat inside the cab (right, left or center) doesn’t really depend on the above either. Or are there still some nuances?

Certainly did matter in steam days, when some companies had right had drive and others had LHD. This had significant effects on signal positioning. The Gresley Pacifics were originally built as RHD (the GNR standard) and converted to LHD in LNER days when they were concvetred to Class A3 specification.
Note that a right-handed firemen will find it easier to work on the left side of the footplate, favouring right hand drive, but it makes signal positioning more difficult.

 

[The exile]

Is my understanding that generally speaking trains do not need to be customized for right-hand or left-hand driving and same sets can be used on both types of railways (like Eurostar in the UK and France and DB ICE trains in France and Germany)?

There are also countries where part of the system runs “right hand” and other parts “left hand” as a relic of past ownership. Fairly certain inter working is normal.

 

[norbitonflyer]

There are also countries where part of the system runs “right hand” and other parts “left hand” as a relic of past ownership. Fairly certain inter working is normal.

Indeed - the layout at Strasbourg for example is quite complex, where we get the transition from normal French left hand driving to right hand driving, which still pertains in Alsace as a relic of German rule between 1871 and 1918.

 

[Alxxxs]

Is my understanding that generally speaking trains do not need to be customized for right-hand or left-hand driving and same sets can be used on both types of railways (like Eurostar in the UK and France and DB ICE trains in France and Germany)? I also heard that the positioning of the driver’s seat inside the cab (right, left or center) doesn’t really depend on the above either. Or are there still some nuances?

Obviously Eurostar switches to the right in Netherlands and not in France where it also drives on the left.