High speed train scenes from China
Feb 3, 2015 17:12:45 #
Feb 3, 2015 19:21:28 #
letmedance wrote:
Well we wish Moonbeam would have turned back the the federal money, If there was any chance of a profitable high speed train link between LA and SF you could be sure that Commercial interests would already be involved in creating it.
Does any high speed rail exist in the US? just asking as I do not recall.
Does any high speed rail exist in the US? just asking as I do not recall.
High speed rail isn't profitable anywhere, it gets a subsidy from European as well as Asian governments.
Amtrak's Acela Express between Washington DC, New York and Boston gets up to 150 mph for a part of its run, but the infrastructure won't support that speed most places on the line.
Feb 3, 2015 21:31:22 #
As a rail enthusiast and a political scientist, I understand the lack of high speed rail system in America is due to several factors. Beginning with the dismantling of the national rail system and trolley car systems in cities after World War II in favor of high ways and buses. Like all things, politicians in America are influenced by money and car manufactures in the post war era had a lot of influence. McNamara, while known more for his role as Sec of Def during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, he was also the former head of Ford Motor Company. The role of the car and suburban sprawl in America is the biggest reason why the national rail system was dismantled. The inner city trolley systems were replaced for buses.
The elephant in the room never wants to talk about is the amount of federal money spent on the military. A long held belief that military spending is good for job creation has long been debunked by economists. More private sector jobs are created by rail and mass transit systems than military weapons systems. Many people do not realize the amount of federal tax dollars spent on over sea military bases which in turn help the local economies where those bases are located. From rich European countries like Italy, Germany, England and Belgium to authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, the amount of money spent outside the U.S. pails in comparison to the Dept of Transportation budget. The MIC that Eisenhower warmed about is very much the norm in American politics and policy. He warned about misplaced priorities and over priced and under performing weapon system like the "too big to fail " F-35 program is just the latest poster child for the MIC.
The Acela does not get up to 150 MPH. The highest it can go is 85 MPH. Even existing rail lines like the Metro North rail line connecting NYC to the wealthier Connecticut communities in Fairfield Country Connecticut is under funded and greatly inferior to rail systems in Europe, Japan and now China.
It is also a national disgrace that there is no rail link connecting any of the three major airports in NYC to mid town Manhattan.
While I know there is a metro system in Washington D.C. , I am not sure if there is a rail link from Dulles to the metro system. Considering the fact that politicians take care of them selves and their (K street ) friends first, I would not be surprised if there is a rail link from Dulles.
The politicians from both parties are to blame. Get the money out of the election system, remove gerrymandered congressional districts and the politicians in America will begin to address the crumbling and antiquated infrastructure problems in America. More jobs would be created building train stations and trains in America that Americans could use than over priced and under performing weapon systems like the "too big too fail" F-35.
The elephant in the room never wants to talk about is the amount of federal money spent on the military. A long held belief that military spending is good for job creation has long been debunked by economists. More private sector jobs are created by rail and mass transit systems than military weapons systems. Many people do not realize the amount of federal tax dollars spent on over sea military bases which in turn help the local economies where those bases are located. From rich European countries like Italy, Germany, England and Belgium to authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, the amount of money spent outside the U.S. pails in comparison to the Dept of Transportation budget. The MIC that Eisenhower warmed about is very much the norm in American politics and policy. He warned about misplaced priorities and over priced and under performing weapon system like the "too big to fail " F-35 program is just the latest poster child for the MIC.
The Acela does not get up to 150 MPH. The highest it can go is 85 MPH. Even existing rail lines like the Metro North rail line connecting NYC to the wealthier Connecticut communities in Fairfield Country Connecticut is under funded and greatly inferior to rail systems in Europe, Japan and now China.
It is also a national disgrace that there is no rail link connecting any of the three major airports in NYC to mid town Manhattan.
While I know there is a metro system in Washington D.C. , I am not sure if there is a rail link from Dulles to the metro system. Considering the fact that politicians take care of them selves and their (K street ) friends first, I would not be surprised if there is a rail link from Dulles.
The politicians from both parties are to blame. Get the money out of the election system, remove gerrymandered congressional districts and the politicians in America will begin to address the crumbling and antiquated infrastructure problems in America. More jobs would be created building train stations and trains in America that Americans could use than over priced and under performing weapon systems like the "too big too fail" F-35.
Feb 3, 2015 21:37:39 #
I used to be a democrat until I graduated from high school at age 17 and started paying taxes. Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown has never seen a tax increase he didn't love.
Feb 3, 2015 21:57:18 #
Feb 4, 2015 10:40:13 #
While I agree with many of your comments, I think you are wrong about the Acela's top speed.
Here are the facts:
The Acela Express is the fastest train in the Western Hemisphere, with a normal maximum speed of 150 mph (241 kph) on two sections of its route between Boston and New Haven, CT, (35-mile total). Otherwise, its top speed is generally 135 mph (217 kph) between New York, NY, and Washington, DC.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1246041980246
Here are the facts:
The Acela Express is the fastest train in the Western Hemisphere, with a normal maximum speed of 150 mph (241 kph) on two sections of its route between Boston and New Haven, CT, (35-mile total). Otherwise, its top speed is generally 135 mph (217 kph) between New York, NY, and Washington, DC.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1246041980246
AsiaPaul wrote:
As a rail enthusiast and a political scientist, I ... (show quote)
Feb 4, 2015 23:01:30 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
While I agree with many of your comments, I think ... (show quote)
Thanks for the info. As Saint Ronald Reagan said, we could trust this government supplied information but should verify it ourselves. Wonder how much a trip costs on The Acela. Be interesting to compare the cost of travel distance between other country high speed rail lines and where The Acela falls. I know that high speed rail is cheap in China while Japan is much more expensive.
Feb 4, 2015 23:22:40 #
The HSR in Taiwan was quite reasonable. It is quite a rush to be moving at 325 kph (about 195 mph) and pass one coming the other way. My traveling companion, a former student of mine, has an app on his phone which showed our speed as it went from zero to about 325 kph.
Feb 4, 2015 23:28:06 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
China has great trains, largely because China does not have any Republicans.
Really? You know, when the state builds something, it contracts out all of the construction to the private sector don't you?. The state doesn't build anything, they just take money from one group and give it to another group (another rich crony group I might add).
Republicans and Democrats have nothing to do with it, both are bad, follow the money.
Feb 5, 2015 04:58:16 #
AsiaPaul wrote:
One of the nicer aspects of traveling in China is using the new high speed rail system. Every month more lines become operational, opening up more cities and locations to explore, while cutting down the time needed to get there.
It is impressive to see the amount of train stations, rail lines and trains in use in China. During a recent trip the train got up to a cruising speed of 298 KPH which is 188 MPH!
It is impressive to see the amount of train stations, rail lines and trains in use in China. During a recent trip the train got up to a cruising speed of 298 KPH which is 188 MPH!
Great to view and love the perspective in #2 AsiaPaul
Feb 6, 2015 12:38:12 #
They are making great progress in some areas but dont think I want to go that fast!
Feb 6, 2015 12:38:36 #
They are making great progress in some areas but dont think I want to go that fast! Apologies for "double exposure" It was slow posting and I didnt think it had
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