Tentative map of California high speed rail route reviewed

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 11/10/04 | Jennifer Coleman - AP

[mlocher]

A spur to Reno would be nice as well. Nevada should then connect Reno and Vegas with a high speed line. A cheap two hour commute between the two cities for less than Southwest. Also, many Californians could live in Reno or Vegas and work in S.F, Sacto or LA.

you know, i vacation in california periodically. how about a spur to central, ohio just for me? if we are going to do this job, we might as well do it right and spend liberally on it.

[GRRRRR]

ok, nevermind. How much will it cost to go to Mars?
Yeah it's expensive...there's plenty of wasted money, less "Civit Cat Anal Gland research grants and welfare spending might help.

USA has never shied away from a challenge...this is just another...let's DO IT!

[mlocher]

High speed rail is simply impractical in a country this size.

if it were practical, it would be here.

of course, our interstate system, subsidized by tax dollars, offers shippers a cheaper alternative to rail, in the way of trucks. further, trucks damage the roads proportionally to the SQUARE of the axle weight, while license plate fees are linearly proportional to the axel weight. therefore, truckers get a double subsidy. there is a side of me that thinks if the interstates were turned over to private industry we would see more rail traffic because it would be practical.

[CyberAnt]

Hey .. the CA idiots (I can say that - I live here), voted for THREE (3) BILLION in bonds for stem cell.

I thought this high speed rail had been dumped as too expensive ..??

Now that the public has been gullible enough to vote for 3 billion in bonds .. maybe this is a good time to float this albatross again.

Good grief .. no wonder I'm looking at AZ.

[HolgerDansk]

Japan is a postage stamp compared to the USA, and the interconnecting distances between cities in Europe are similar. High speed rail is simply impractical in a country this size.

Uh, we're talking California here, which is almost exactly the same size as Honshu (the main island of Japan).

As for the rest of the country, intercity rail is practical if done overnight. At present technology speeds, that limit would translate to about 2500 miles per city pair. Denver-Chicago certainly qualifies, as does Chicago-Washington, Chicago-Minneapolis, Seattle-LA, etc.

[HolgerDansk]

If it is sucessful as a public train then IMO they should sell it off to a private company.

Amtrak California is what's known as a 503(b) operation, with reference to the National Rail Passenger Act of 1970. Currently, in California, Amtrak bids against only one private firm, Herzog, which currently operates the Altamount Commuter Express in the Bay Area.

[HolgerDansk]

This train, if built, will cost twice as much as estimated and carry half of the passengers that is estimated.

The same as every freeway project built since the 1960s. Witness the current Big Dig fiasco...

[dennisw]

Money down RATHOLE. If it's ever built which I doubt given California's finances.

[johniegrad]

Could we PLEASE agree to begin all light rail discussion and articles with a BARF ALERT?

[Walkingfeather]

Why cant we build the train Over the california aqueduct since we already have the Easment and we could create a cover that would reduce evaporation and we would not have to buy land to build it. Here is a graphic of the location. What do you think?


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/uclasp/issues/bringing_water/4_aqued.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/uclasp/issues/bringing_water/page1.htm&h=445&w=394&sz=58&tbnid=sMuMxHdpC9gJ:&tbnh=123&tbnw=109&start=15&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCalifornia%2Baqueduct%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

[glorgau]

Uh, we're talking California here, which is almost exactly the same size as Honshu (the main island of Japan).

So, it will make sense when Cali gets the same population as Honshu - about 90 million people.

[Simmy2.5]

Someone forgot to ping Willie Green. You know the unspoken rule, when it concerns High Speed Rail, Willie Green's the one.

[NeoCaveman]

Welcome to the state of bankrupcy, hey atleast it's governed by the terminator.....

[Willie Green]

Thanks for remembering me...
But I already sniffed it out on my own.

[Steve Van Doorn]

because that would save money

[Nataku X]

I wonder why they don't use a centralized system instead of a single line, like they do with airplanes... have the rails stop in one giant hub... that way, a maximum of only one stop is needed??

[CIB-173RDABN]

There is a passenger train now between Sacramento to San Diego.

Only thing is you have to get off in Bakersfield, catch a bus to LA, and then get on another train.

Why don't they just put in some tracks between Bakersfield and LA, and see just how many are willing to take the train. I know it will be cheaper then what they are planning here.

[Drago]

Actually, this chart shows the Saudis at No. 1, with Mexico 2nd, and Canada 3rd. (But you were close).

http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/rankings/crudebycountry.htm

[Wonder Warthog]

"As for the rest of the country, intercity rail is practical if done overnight. At present technology speeds, that limit would translate to about 2500 miles per city pair. Denver-Chicago certainly qualifies, as does Chicago-Washington, Chicago-Minneapolis, Seattle-LA, etc."

Now WHY would I be interested in getting from one city to another 2500 miles apart OVERNIGHT when I can get from anywhere in the USA to anywhere else in half a day (or less) by air???

High speed rail for long distance travel will NEVER compete with air travel.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Actually, this chart shows the Saudis at No. 1, with Mexico 2nd, and Canada 3rd. (But you were close).

They must swap places year to year then. But the chart certainly shows that we are not as reliant on middle eastern oil as much as people think.