250 mph trains

[Rolex]

I think it's about time for the US to start thinking seriously about building these:



as alternatives to regional airlines. This model travels at ~250 mph (413 kph) max speed and a service speed of ~225 mph (360 kph).

The benefits are easy to count off:

- Provides a growth infrastructure investment benefitting construction and manufacturing industries. Station and track construction builds value for surrounding areas.

- Provides alternatives to regional airline and airport congestion.

- More economical and comfortable. Trains carry ~500 people without the crush of airline seating. No turbulence.

- Drivers and crew require less costly training.

- For 200-400 mile trips, this would be faster than airline travel. For 200 to 250 mile trips (i.e. Dallas-Houston or Atlanta-Nashville) passengers would be at destination in about same time it takes to checkin and get through airport security at departing airport.

- Electrical demand could be derived from natural gas (the US has substantial supplies) or nuclear power. Even coal fired generation produces less air pollutants than burning jet fuel since generation uses scrubbers. Cleaner travel per person/mile.

Anyway, don't you think it's about time rail travel in the US became alot classier and convenient?

[Nilsen]

I saw a program on discovery awhile back and i belive they are planning to build some high speed lines. I belive it was to Florida from some place.

Trains are the future of alot of passenger transport for sure.

[nirvana]

I don't see why not, looks like fun.  And hell, all the good things you listed and no bad things, you've got me wrapped around your finger!  BULLET TRAINS FOR THE FUTURE!

[Furball]

im suprised you havent done it already.  europe and japan have had fast trains like that for a long time

or how about a maglev? 300+ mph

http://www.monorails.org/tMspages/MagShang.html

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I'm sure the people who live near the tracks just LOVE the sound it makes.

[J_A_B]

Most of our railroads want nothing to do with passengers.  They actively and deliberately destroyed their own passenger services back in the 60's, and fight it to this day.  Even freight trains of nonperishable goods often receive higher traffic priority than Amtrak trains.  Exceptions exist, especially in the northeast corridor, but generally speaking passenger rail is pretty much dead in the USA with little prospect of making a large-scale comeback.

Yes, it's a shame.  The entire story of the US railroad industry since the end of WW2 has been a nonstop shame, characterized by corporate mismanagement and public antipathy.  The success stories are few, and the industry is still somewhat weak overall despite an incredible number of mergers and bankruptcies.  



J_A_B

[Dinger]

Problems:
A) You don't pay rent on the land you fly over. Currently, Amtrak is required to rent the land its tracks go over. The US Government at many levels prefers to use eminent domain to build shopping centers in blighted areas, not to help common transport. So supercool trains might be nice, but if they are forced to pay a rent to for the land they are forced to cross, you'll never see competitive pricing.

B) Privatized train companies just don't work. Compare British Rail systems before and after Maggy broke them up. You have to be a diehard fiscal conservative = ("Liberal" in the British sense) to want to argue this is a good thing. And the same thing is happening elsewhere.

C)Europe and Japan have extremely high population densities. Where I am now (Switzerland), there are 2 cities with > 1 million people and 2 with > 500,000 within 100 miles. And in between there are plenty of other cities in the 100-250k range. Compare that to the US, where, outside of the Eastern seaboard (Where Amtrak can't get the real-estate to build proper High-Speed Trains), things are _really_ spread out.

[B@tfinkV]

bad points:


1)i wonder what a 300mph train wreck looks like.

2)no time to sleep between stations.

3)oversleeping for an hour and being 300 miles further than you want to be.

4)difficult for train spotters to get a clear snap shot of, unless stationary.

5) train drivers become smug, start wearing aviator glasses and running around all day thinking they are top racing drivers.

6) pouring flouresant paint off a low brinde as they motor past beneath you might not give  the same colourfull and artistic visuals as on regular 70mph trains.



good points:

what rolex said.

[moot]

bomb bait

[Nilsen]

Electric trains can be alot more enviromentaly friendly than planes can ever be, and will be alot cheaper to operate when there is a gas crisis. We all know that oil will only be more expencive in the future.

[Furball]

Originally posted by B@tfinkV
1)i wonder what a 300mph train wreck looks like.

you talking about the maglev?

iirc it is almost impossible for them to crash.  the train is actually wrapped around the track so it cannot physically come off, the rail works by charging magnets so it is impossible for trains to be within a certain distance of one another.

besides, im sure it is no worse than a 600mph airliner crash

[Nilsen]

And a 300mph planewreck aint much better..

[Gh0stFT]

Originally posted by Rolex
I think it's about time for the US to start thinking seriously about building these:

I wonder why nobody build something earlier. In germany we have our
ICE now in the 3rd generation, it can drive up to 205mph. But railways
ready for this speed are rare :/

ICE 3

[Furball]

Furball: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?

Rolex: Monorail!

Furball: What's it called?

Nirvana: Monorail!

Furball: That's right! Monorail!

[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]

Batstink: I hear those things are awfully loud...

Furball: It glides as softly as a cloud.

Batstink: Is there a chance the track could bend?

Furball: Not on your life, my clown dressed friend.

Nilsen: What about us brain-dead slobs?

Furball: You'll be given cushy jobs.

Seagoon: Were you sent here by the devil?

Furball: No, good sir, I'm on the level.

MrRipley: The ring came off my pudding can.

Furball: Take my pen knife, my good man.

I swear it's America's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!

All: Monorail!

Furball: What's it called?

All: Monorail!

Furball: Once again...

All: Monorail!

Monorail!
Monorail!

[big finish]

Monorail!

[all end]

Saw: Mono... D'oh!

[Nilsen]

Rofl Furby!