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Detroit, 11:19 AM
Tue Dec 8
26 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/15/09
Would paying for it be so bad? There are a lot of offsets: Airport and highway expansion can be reduced, construction and train operation jobs will be created, city centers will be lifted economically, reduction of gasoline consumption, and related emissions, etc... #rants
11/15/09
Since private industry hasn't done that yet, in spite of the technology having been available for decades, I don't think there is a strong business case for them.
Yet anyway. #rants
11/15/09
Transportation is just too important and we need high speed trains and regulated airlines more than we need failed dogmatic socio-economic religions. It is a shame that the Japanese have had the Shinkansen for decades while too many in the US see it and poop their diapers in fear of the boogeyman of socialism. There is the phrase - America: Love it or leave it. Ummmmm, how about we make it better? #rants
11/14/09
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11/14/09
11/15/09
11/14/09
Also, check out the Swedish X2000 train. It has a suspension which leans it in turns, making special tracks unnecessary. Good for those countries who only want to dip a toe into HSR.
[en.wikipedia.org] #rants
11/14/09
11/14/09
Makes you glad they figured that out _before_ they started running them, eh? #rants
11/15/09
11/16/09
Hearties for both of you for expanding my knowledge. #rants
11/14/09
11/14/09
11/14/09
And, for the record, 12 million people per year use Amtrak in the Northeast Corridor alone (almost 4 M between NYC and Boston), so unless you're being sarcastic, I would say everything you want pretty much already exists and is heavily used.
Amtrak service in the Northeast isn't garbage, nor is it stupidly expensive, it's just that cars are still cheaper (airlines, not really) as long as gas prices are below $5/gallon and parking is available.
11/14/09
Don't forget the Chinatown buses either. #rants
11/15/09
11/14/09
Having said that, The US has one big disadvantage compare to Europe: It's size! With that said, Bullet train needs a different policy, before succeeding. First, Just like NASA, there must a budget for it. Not on the state level. And that includes laws that all states must abide by. Which means the US Government says we'll start building rails from state A to state B, then State A & B has nothing to approve regarding the budget, affordability, and the construction of it.
Last, The US Government will decide which corridors needs priorities, and which one will have to wait.
On top of that, all major Cities with population reaching a certain amount should be required to built a reliable metro system that has a connection HUB with the Bullet train. #rants
11/14/09
It also helped that Europe had the dubious luxury of getting to rebuild their entire infrastructure from scratch after WWII. Moreso than size, Europe is far more urbanized than the US, which makes things more conducive to rail traffic. #rants
11/15/09
11/16/09
11/14/09
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11/14/09
States such as California could surely benefit from such a system. It's got a large population across a very serviceable area. Unfortunately, there's no way in hell the state could ever pay for it (I'll spare you all any diatribe aimed at our crew in Sacramento).
11/14/09
11/14/09
11/14/09
i rode the KTX in korea before. i don't think it's as fast as it's european or japanese counterparts, but it was a pretty comfy ride. it was cool to see how fast we were going. and the price was reasonable.
but alas, price will always seem like an obstacle in the US. #rants
11/15/09
11/13/09
In Italy we have this one: is named "Freccia Rossa" (Red Arrow), it's designed by Giugiaro, has a maximum speed of over 300 Kph and is equipped with restaurants, bars, lounges and onboard wi-fi. The present travel time from Milan to Rome (600 km), is about 2 hours and half, because unfortunately we've a lot of mountains to cross... France has an easier life with her TGVs, since it's flat like a billiard...
[en.wikipedia.org] #rants
11/13/09
You always get into a chicken or egg argument when you talk about intercity rail in the US. If it's fast and reliable, it will succeed. 150-200 mph travel up and down the coasts works immediately, especially when you consider your other drop-off point is JFK or LAX.
The political and economic arguments always point out the subsidy per passenger on some line through the corn belt. Well, maybe it doesn't work there. We're subsidizing ethanol already(thanks ADM!). Keep the subsidies there(let's face it - they're not going anywhere) and improve the productivity and the quality of life in the most populous parts of the country.
I love cars, and will always have one(three if my wife doesn't see this). I have to think this can work in the most populous parts of the country.
One last thing: the automobile really is a symbol of the American ideal, but I've got to admit I never have felt that freedom on the NJ Turnpike, 4 miles and 20 minutes away from the Vince Lombardi Service area. #rants
11/14/09
We don't make the car companies build the roads, so what's the difference between "subsidizing" the rail industry by building rails and the current case of building roads for cars? Not much as far as I can reckon.
I'd be perfectly fine if the feds stepped in and built a ton of high speed rail instead of a lot of other crap they spend money on.
Plus, it'd be nice if we could go back to the days where we did ambitious stuff because it was a great idea (building interstates, going to the moon, etc.) rather than bitching that it is expensive and letting the rest of the world pass us by all the time.
11/14/09
"Plus, it'd be nice if we could go back to the days where we did ambitious stuff because it was a great idea (building interstates, going to the moon, etc.) rather than bitching that it is expensive and letting the rest of the world pass us by all the time."
NICELY PUT! Where's the ambition today? It's sorely missed, that's for sure. #rants
11/14/09
11/13/09
And of course, GM and Ford paid to make sure that the trains didn't work and people went with automobiles. #rants
11/13/09
11/14/09
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11/13/09
Seriously, we need to do this. True, it makes no sense to build a high-speed train from Fargo to Baton Rouge, but there are plenty of corridors where it makes perfect sense.
We have to think ahead. Flying and driving may be cheaper now, but $4 gas will be back. Airlines have never covered their cost of capital. How long can this last? The days of cheap driving and flying are numbered.
I love driving my cars (all 25 of them), but I use the train as much as possible. Knowing when it's more responsible not to drive is the best way to preserve the privilege. Also, if you want high-speed trains, use the ones we have now. Don't just wait for it to happen. If the railroads can show people are using the train, it's easier to justify the investment.