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 You're all I have left, Copper Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $4527223	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: 46,861

02-09-2013, 07:07 PM	#2
BucEyedPea Frazod Loves Hammy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $48183	I see this as another attempt to make us like Europe when Amtrak is a failure. __________________ "In government, the scum rises to the top."~ Hayek
Posts: 46,461

02-09-2013, 07:11 PM	#3
Direckshun Black for Palestine Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $1166256	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: 37,458

02-09-2013, 07:14 PM	#4
SNR You're all I have left, Copper Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $4527223	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: 46,861

02-09-2013, 07:25 PM	#6
HonestChieffan Hoffa called me an SOB Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the Country in MO Casino cash: $1220184	If it won't turn a profit it bullshit. __________________ "The best time to sell peanuts is when the circus is in town."
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02-09-2013, 07:30 PM	#7
Bewbies The "Franchise" - Seriously. Join Date: Apr 2010 Casino cash: $57431	A train that goes 220mph will surely compete with that $79 ticket you pay for on an airplane that flies 500mph.
Posts: 5,742

02-09-2013, 07:35 PM	#8
mlyonsd Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Spink, SD Casino cash: $28872	If this made sense we'd already be doing it. Stupid idea.
Posts: 22,242

02-09-2013, 07:40 PM	#9
theelusiveeightrop 2thdoc Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $22066	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, 08:33 PM	#11
Dave Lane Space Cadet Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, Mo, USA Casino cash: $2197384	Awesome! __________________ Matt Cassel - 58.9 completion %, 13,495 yards, 82 TD, 57 INT, 24 Fumbles, 80.4 Passer Rating Alex Smith - 59.3 completion %, 14,280 yards, 81 TD, 63 INT, 36 Fumbles, 79.1 Passer Rating Do you realize the backups we have to this second coming of Matt Cassel have NEVER EVER thrown a regular season pass.
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02-09-2013, 08:37 PM	#12
CrazyPhuD Meow Join Date: Jun 2005 Casino cash: $1601133	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 Welcome, Eric Fisher & Friends Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1.61 KM high city Casino cash: $62675771	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. __________________ Onward Fisher, Onward Fisher, block right through that line. Block the ball clear down the field, a touchdown sure this time. Onward Fisher, Onward Fisher, fight on for her fame. Fight, fellows, fight, fight, fight, we'll win this game.
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02-09-2013, 10:38 PM	#14
Psyko Tek special teams Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mesa AZ Casino cash: $1083541	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
Posts: 7,965

02-09-2013, 10:53 PM	#15
Inmem58 Ya dun goofed Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Kern County, CA Casino cash: $3014188	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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