U.S. Issues The new high speed rail map that's been floating around recently

SNR · 02-09-2013, 07:06 PM

High speed rail is moving forward in California, but progress is pretty stagnant around the rest of the country. Still, there are a lot of proposals out there, and when placed on one map, they form an impressive rail network. This map was put together by California Rail Map, led by Alfred Twu, which combined existing proposals from high speed rail advocacy groups around the US. Twu described his process for the Guardian:

Instead of detailing construction phases and service speeds, I took a little artistic license and chose colors and linked lines to celebrate America's many distinct but interwoven regional cultures.

The US High Speed Rail Association, a nonprofit trade association, predicts a network similar to this one could be in place by 2030.

Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood has called for a large HSR network, saying it could link 80 percent of Americans within 25 years, for $500 billion.
Based on this map, starting in Los Angeles, a high speed train could get to New York, with stops in Denver and Chicago, in well under 18 hours.

Considering the significant funding and political will any large rail project needs, it's hard to imagine all this will be built. But Robert Cruickshank at the California High Speed Rail Blog argues just visualizing the network is a good thing:

But before the Interstate Highway System was authorized, it had to first be conceptualized on a map. This map gets us closer to the goal of an interstate high speed rail system by showing us what it looks like. And envisioning such a system is the first step toward building it.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/map-o...#ixzz2KSS4Sw1Q

BucEyedPea · 02-09-2013, 07:07 PM

I see this as another attempt to make us like Europe when Amtrak is a failure.

Direckshun · 02-09-2013, 07:11 PM

Just on a visceral level, I really love that idea. I really do.

Zilla has made a very good case for HSR in the past on this forum.

SNR · 02-09-2013, 07:14 PM

Cheyenne, WY gets a route but some places like Sioux Falls and Billings don't? Why build a rail to Cheyenne at all then?

I'm not a big boner for the rail system. I just think it's neat to look at some of the ideas out there. Which cities get a stop on the rail and which ones don't, etc.

BucEyedPea · 02-09-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

Cheyenne, WY gets a route but some places like Sioux Falls and Billings don't? Why build a rail to Cheyenne at all then?

I'm not a big boner for the rail system. I just think it's neat to look at some of the ideas out there. Which cities get a stop on the rail and which ones don't, etc.

If it ever did come to fruition, those stops would be determined by politicking at the federal level—just as they were during the previous RR era. That's why they wound up be so inefficient compared to the private RR line Hill built. And the left has a never to cry about gerrymandering.

HonestChieffan · 02-09-2013, 07:25 PM

If it won't turn a profit it bullshit.

Bewbies · 02-09-2013, 07:30 PM

A train that goes 220mph will surely compete with that $79 ticket you pay for on an airplane that flies 500mph.

**mlyonsd** · 02-09-2013, 07:35 PM

If this made sense we'd already be doing it.

Stupid idea.

theelusiveeightrop · 02-09-2013, 07:40 PM

Rail in a LARGE country will not be economically feasible.

CoMoChief · 02-09-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bewbies

A train that goes 220mph will surely compete with that $79 ticket you pay for on an airplane that flies 500mph.

Well theoretically it's good for like KC-STL or STL-CHI. Maybe even KC-CHI depending on the inconveniences of flying (security/baggage check/boarding an hr prior/length of drive to KCI out in BFE) compared to the 2.5hr train ride alone.

That's about it though.

Overall is it cost effective? Absolutely not.

Dave Lane · 02-09-2013, 08:33 PM

Awesome!

**CrazyPhuD** · 02-09-2013, 08:37 PM

So which line is the John Galt line?(come on no one else said it first??? And I still have yet to read the book lol)

Rain Man · 02-09-2013, 10:31 PM

If the train west of Denver hit 220 mph, I wonder how much air it would get when it hit the continental divide.

I read an article a while back that I found quite interesting. It said that around 1910, the U.S. had a big decision on whether they would build the infrastructure for an automobile-based system or a train-based system. They chose the automobile, obviously, but the article intimated that it was really a judgment call with no clear winning argument. If they had gone the other way we'd have a lot more trains and probably no interstate highway system.

Psyko Tek · 02-09-2013, 10:38 PM

job crator.
but will need to be cheaper or better than airliones
party car on long distance ?
a circle k car that sells regular priced stuff?

never been anywhere on rail

Inmem58 · 02-09-2013, 10:53 PM

Millions of people are scared to fly, I'm sure they will be willing to pay an extra $20 to ride the rail. Although, I would assume it would cost less to ride the rail.

02-09-2013, 07:06 PM
SNR Simply Red's backup vocalist Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $4578513	The new high speed rail map that's been floating around recently High speed rail is moving forward in California, but progress is pretty stagnant around the rest of the country. Still, there are a lot of proposals out there, and when placed on one map, they form an impressive rail network. This map was put together by California Rail Map, led by Alfred Twu, which combined existing proposals from high speed rail advocacy groups around the US. Twu described his process for the Guardian: Instead of detailing construction phases and service speeds, I took a little artistic license and chose colors and linked lines to celebrate America's many distinct but interwoven regional cultures. The US High Speed Rail Association, a nonprofit trade association, predicts a network similar to this one could be in place by 2030. Transporation Secretary Ray LaHood has called for a large HSR network, saying it could link 80 percent of Americans within 25 years, for $500 billion. Based on this map, starting in Los Angeles, a high speed train could get to New York, with stops in Denver and Chicago, in well under 18 hours. Considering the significant funding and political will any large rail project needs, it's hard to imagine all this will be built. But Robert Cruickshank at the California High Speed Rail Blog argues just visualizing the network is a good thing: But before the Interstate Highway System was authorized, it had to first be conceptualized on a map. This map gets us closer to the goal of an interstate high speed rail system by showing us what it looks like. And envisioning such a system is the first step toward building it. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/map-o...#ixzz2KSS4Sw1Q
Posts: 54,633

02-09-2013, 07:07 PM	#2
BucEyedPea BucPatriot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $107875	I see this as another attempt to make us like Europe when Amtrak is a failure. __________________ “Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the Government’s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” — James Madison
Posts: 56,209

02-09-2013, 07:11 PM	#3
Direckshun Black for Palestine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $1208871	Just on a visceral level, I really love that idea. I really do. Zilla has made a very good case for HSR in the past on this forum. __________________
Posts: 43,693

02-09-2013, 07:14 PM	#4
SNR Simply Red's backup vocalist Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $4578513	Cheyenne, WY gets a route but some places like Sioux Falls and Billings don't? Why build a rail to Cheyenne at all then? I'm not a big boner for the rail system. I just think it's neat to look at some of the ideas out there. Which cities get a stop on the rail and which ones don't, etc.
Posts: 54,633

02-09-2013, 07:25 PM	#6
HonestChieffan Country Santa Year Around Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $1264175	If it won't turn a profit it bullshit. __________________ Frazod to KC Nitwit..."Hey, I saw a picture of some dumpy bitch with a horrible ****tarded giant back tattoo and couldn't help but think of you." Simple, Pure, Perfect. 7/31/2013 Dave Lane: "I have donated more money to people in my life as an atheist that most churches ever will." Come home to Jesus Dave. Come home.
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02-09-2013, 07:30 PM	#7
Bewbies Where's the flag ref? Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $71462	A train that goes 220mph will surely compete with that $79 ticket you pay for on an airplane that flies 500mph.
Posts: 6,455

02-09-2013, 07:35 PM	#8
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $53959	If this made sense we'd already be doing it. Stupid idea.
Posts: 24,867

02-09-2013, 07:40 PM	#9
theelusiveeightrop Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $106361	Rail in a LARGE country will not be economically feasible. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family."
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02-09-2013, 08:37 PM	#12
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $1615695	So which line is the John Galt line?(come on no one else said it first??? And I still have yet to read the book lol) __________________ "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"
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02-09-2013, 10:31 PM	#13
Rain Man No known superpowers Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: In A World Few See Casino cash: $62712023	If the train west of Denver hit 220 mph, I wonder how much air it would get when it hit the continental divide. I read an article a while back that I found quite interesting. It said that around 1910, the U.S. had a big decision on whether they would build the infrastructure for an automobile-based system or a train-based system. They chose the automobile, obviously, but the article intimated that it was really a judgment call with no clear winning argument. If they had gone the other way we'd have a lot more trains and probably no interstate highway system. __________________ In the final seven games of the 2013 season, the Chiefs averaged 34.6 points per game, scored 38 points or more 4 times, and went 2-5. The NFL has ruined the sport.
Posts: 75,764

02-09-2013, 10:38 PM	#14
Psyko Tek special teams Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mesa AZ Casino cash: $1103789	job crator. but will need to be cheaper or better than airliones party car on long distance ? a circle k car that sells regular priced stuff? never been anywhere on rail __________________ Psyko Tek Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Friedrich Nietzsche **** You Fred, The abyss is my wallpaper
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02-09-2013, 10:53 PM	#15
Inmem58 MURRAY > SMITH Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Kern County, CA Casino cash: $3046261	Millions of people are scared to fly, I'm sure they will be willing to pay an extra $20 to ride the rail. Although, I would assume it would cost less to ride the rail.
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