Originally Posted by
invisible
For these who are familiar with Japan's railway systems - could you explain what are differences between different type commuter intercity and suburban trains?
So far I've seen (based on English translation on display screen and/or articles on wiki and websites): local (that's clear - stops at every stop), 'Rapid', 'Express', 'Limited Express', 'Access Express'.
One more question - these terms/definitions have the same purpose for different train systems/companies, or for example JR East's Express has different meaning than Kaisei Line?
Different train companies will have different flavors and meanings.
I use the Keio Line a lot, their categories are Local, Rapid, Commuter Rapid, Section Express, Express, Semi-Special Express, Special Express. Generally the main difference is what stations the trains stop on starting from Local (all stops) and then progressively skipping them.
The Keio Line Rapid is only a step up from Local, whereas the JR Chuo Line Rapid for example is more like an Express train. So the terms will mean different things on different lines.