High Speed Trains

[Hoofbite]

Where are they?

[youtube]VuSrLvCVoVk&feature=related[/youtube]

When I was in Europe a while back we rode the train and it was pretty cool.

Seems like it would be a decent alternative to flying.

 

[peplaw06]

I've heard that one reason the United States is so far behind in the high speed train industry is because you have to have a dedicated right of way track to do this. You're basically talking about building brand new tracks all over the country. Guess it's too cost prohibitive at this point. But I think it would be a big hit here if they could get the infrastructure set up.

 

[Hoofbite]

I've heard that one reason the United States is so far behind in the high speed train industry is because you have to have a dedicated right of way track to do this. You're basically talking about building brand new tracks all over the country. Guess it's too cost prohibitive at this point. But I think it would be a big hit here if they could get the infrastructure set up.

Interesting.

I think I heard a while back that there's going to a high speed train dedicated to going from Disneyland to Vegas and back. Not sure.

I just think it's silly that it's not an option here. Sure the cost would probably be huge but it's not like it's sunk money.

I'd rather ride a train for 3 hours than take a flight for 2.

Lets just build it ourselves. Me and you pep. We just need someone to loan us a few trillion to get this thing going.

 

[Eskimo]

I suspect it won't be long before trains become the main way of long distance land transportation again (for people and goods) due to its inherent fuel efficiency advantage. The era of cheap fossil fuels is probably gone forever and we will have to adapt.

 

[peplaw06]

Interesting.

I think I heard a while back that there's going to a high speed train dedicated to going from Disneyland to Vegas and back. Not sure.

I just think it's silly that it's not an option here. Sure the cost would probably be huge but it's not like it's sunk money.

I'd rather ride a train for 3 hours than take a flight for 2.

Lets just build it ourselves. Me and you pep. We just need someone to loan us a few trillion to get this thing going.

I think it's a great idea personally... though I admit I'm not the most educated person about it. I'm wondering with a maglev type of system like they showed in the video you posted what the costs would be to run the thing after the infrastructure is built. You wouldn't have fuel costs. I'm guessing an electric current runs through the track to propel the train. But I'm wondering if it's a ton more cost effective (after the initial outlay), like it seems like it would be in my head.

 

[ethiostar]

Interesting.

I think I heard a while back that there's going to a high speed train dedicated to going from Disneyland to Vegas and back. Not sure.

I just think it's silly that it's not an option here. Sure the cost would probably be huge but it's not like it's sunk money.

I'd rather ride a train for 3 hours than take a flight for 2.

Lets just build it ourselves. Me and you pep. We just need someone to loan us a few trillion to get this thing going.

I can loan you 2 trillion but you'll have to find the rest somewhere else.

 

[Kangaroo]

Part of the problem with trains is the over government regulation that has destroyed the industry. Amtrak is still in business because of the government tax dollars they give it. To many goofy rules and regulations if the government easy up on some of those things then it may stand a chance and the initial cost in land and building the train rail is very cost prohibitive in some areas.

So until things change in certain areas it is not going to happen any time soon

 

[Hoofbite]

Just saw this article and thought it was fitting.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/26/ford.mobility/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

The number of cars is expected to quadruple within the next 50 or so years.

 

[gmoney112]

I suspect it won't be long before trains become the main way of long distance land transportation again (for people and goods) due to its inherent fuel efficiency advantage. The era of cheap fossil fuels is probably gone forever and we will have to adapt.

Don't know about that. America is sitting on 300 billion tons of shale oil, and new technology using fracking is turning this shale oil mining into a profitable business. The Chinese and Japanese are already heavily invested with energy firms in South Texas/Wyoming/North Dakota to begin mining this oil. They are literally going to have rights to a % of the shale oil that sits in the USA.

As long as there are viable fossil fuels available, you can bet the oil companies will be lobbying Congress to slow down the development of any alternative transportation.

 

[burmafrd]

infrastructure investment for nationwide would be monstrous.

dedicated tracks. maintenance. security.


And fact is that it could not move the number of people to really make a difference. And the flexibility is not there. To stop off at every main city or even mid size city would slow it way down and take away any advantage over flying. Same problem with cars: you get to the city you want and you still have to rent a car.

 

[Eskimo]

Don't know about that. America is sitting on 300 billion tons of shale oil, and new technology using fracking is turning this shale oil mining into a profitable business. The Chinese and Japanese are already heavily invested with energy firms in South Texas/Wyoming/North Dakota to begin mining this oil. They are literally going to have rights to a % of the shale oil that sits in the USA.

As long as there are viable fossil fuels available, you can bet the oil companies will be lobbying Congress to slow down the development of any alternative transportation.

The issue isn't just total oil supply but also the cost of its extraction, rate of extraction and environmental concerns.

I think it is unlikely we will see $20/barrel again so we need to make decisions on $80-100/barrel now and $150-200/barrel in the next decade. The sooner appropriate infrastructure investments are made, the less of a shock it will be for everyone. We need to use what we have much more efficiently.

 

[Eskimo]

infrastructure investment for nationwide would be monstrous.

dedicated tracks. maintenance. security.


And fact is that it could not move the number of people to really make a difference. And the flexibility is not there. To stop off at every main city or even mid size city would slow it way down and take away any advantage over flying. Same problem with cars: you get to the city you want and you still have to rent a car.

You could probably run rails just to the outskirts of the city (which is mostly what is done with airports) and then rent a car from the train station.

I do think ultimately the way cities are designed will ultimately need to change as well. We will need more high density population areas with the surrounding areas supplying much of the food we need.

It is hard to put a timeline on these changes but we are likely talking decades rather than centuries. At some point we will actually be harvesting petrochemicals at a negative energy rate (costs more energy to extract than it provides) to provide the materials we need to manufacture things.

 

[gmoney112]

The issue isn't just total oil supply but also the cost of its extraction, rate of extraction and environmental concerns.

I think it is unlikely we will see $20/barrel again so we need to make decisions on $80-100/barrel now and $150-200/barrel in the next decade. The sooner appropriate infrastructure investments are made, the less of a shock it will be for everyone. We need to use what we have much more efficiently.

I am complete agreement with you. It's something we have to do. I'm just anxious to see how an increase in domestic oil supply and subsequent price drops effects investments in alternative energy and transportation.

I'm majoring in Energy Commerce and I'm hoping I can be influential in some aspect of bettering our energy demands eventually. If all else fails I can always give insight into the industry along with my excellent football critique.

 

[KJJ]

Interesting.

I think I heard a while back that there's going to a high-speed train dedicated to going from Disneyland to Vegas and back. Not sure.

I just think it's silly that it's not an option here. Sure the cost would probably be huge but it's not like it's sunk money.

I'd rather ride a train for 3 hours than take a flight for 2.

Lets just build it ourselves. Me and you pep. We just need someone to loan us a few trillion to get this thing going.

I also heard a few years ago there was going to be a high-speed train between LA and Vegas and it never happened. It's amazing how far behind we are when it comes to trains.

Most European countries have high-speed monorails that are elevated where cars and trains can't collide.

A few countries are using powerful electromagnets to develop high-speed trains called maglev trains.

Maglev is short for magnetic levitation which means these trains will float over a guideway using the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel wheel and track trains.

I believe they travel at around 270 mph with passengers. Saw one in action on the discovery channel one night they appear super smooth almost like riding on air.

 

[peplaw06]

I also heard a few years ago there was going to be a high-speed train between LA and Vegas and it never happened. It's amazing how far behind we are when it comes to trains.

Most European countries have high-speed monorails that are elevated where cars and trains can't collide.

A few countries are using powerful electromagnets to develop high-speed trains called maglev trains.

Maglev is short for magnetic levitation which means these trains will float over a guideway using the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel wheel and track trains.

I believe they travel at around 270 mph with passengers. Saw one in action on the discovery channel one night they appear super smooth almost like riding on air.

You don't say... I could have sworn I saw something about that right here in this thread...

 

[KJJ]

You don't say... I could have sworn I saw something about that right here in this thread...

I just skimmed the thread and didn't even glance at the video.

 

[MetalHead]

Another ridiculously short-sighted opinion. :bang2:

Oh,ok,Mr educated.
Keep dreaming while I keep rolling down the Eisenhower Interstate System.
Has worked beautifully for me and millions who have crossed this wonderful country and stopped WHERE AND WHEN WE WANT TO,NOT WHERE THE RAIL SYSTEM DICTATES TO.
I am free to drive anywhere and everywhere.
I have logged many miles admiring this beautiful country's landscapes,deserts and landmarks,stopped at my own will to soak it all in,not at the expense of anyone's schedule but mine.
That is freedom.
What do you know about it?

 

[Cythim]

Oh,ok,Mr educated.
Keep dreaming while I keep rolling down the Eisenhower Interstate System.
Has worked beautifully for me and millions who have crossed this wonderful country and stopped WHERE AND WHEN WE WANT TO,NOT WHERE THE RAIL SYSTEM DICTATES TO.
I am free to drive anywhere and everywhere.
I have logged many miles admiring this beautiful country's landscapes,deserts and landmarks,stopped at my own will to soak it all in,not at the expense of anyone's schedule but mine.
That is freedom.
What do you know about it?

You just don't get it. Mass transit is necessary in certain, but not all aspects. The freedom of the open road is great, but when I need to travel from one major city to another I'd like to do it cheap, environmentally friendly, and in a manor which allows me freedom to do other things besides stare at the road ahead of me. The point is to have that option available when it is most suitable, not to take your precious SUV away from you.

My wife and I travelled to Seattle for a Seahawks game and decided to take Amtrak instead of driving. It was a little more expensive and took a little bit longer but the convenience factor was amazing. I didn't have to worry about parking or fighting game day traffic and was free to drink without worrying about driving back home. If we expanded our rail system and used it more often the two negatives, time and money, would shrink and allow the positives to flourish.


And thanks for calling me "educated" for calling out your shortsightedness. :laugh2:

 

[Hoofbite]

Oh,ok,Mr educated.
Keep dreaming while I keep rolling down the Eisenhower Interstate System.
Has worked beautifully for me and millions who have crossed this wonderful country and stopped WHERE AND WHEN WE WANT TO,NOT WHERE THE RAIL SYSTEM DICTATES TO.
I am free to drive anywhere and everywhere.
I have logged many miles admiring this beautiful country's landscapes,deserts and landmarks,stopped at my own will to soak it all in,not at the expense of anyone's schedule but mine.
That is freedom.
What do you know about it?

Yes, roadtrips offer some decent sights.

But for those of us who are time constrained and can't afford (or desire) to spend 3 days on the road going across country, high speed transit is pretty desirable.

Why scoff only at planes and trains?

If you were really "free" you'd travel by covered wagon.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I say skip it and just develop the transporter. :