Coast-to-coast train journey
#76
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18748717
Is there any realistic chance of this getting built?
Is there any realistic chance of this getting built?
The other high speed line is from Los Angeles to Las Vegas - except it would start in Victorville (seems LA is too difficult to get to). So people near downtown LA would drive 1.5 hours to get to Victorville and then take the train for what is a 2.5 hour drive for the rest of the way? I don't think so! Nevertheless the subsequent plan is to join Victorville to the LA-SF high speed line, thus joining LA to LV with just a 100 mile detour.
#77
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
Tonrob's train now estimated 1h49 late (hmm, I think that means it's either arrived and the status hasn't updated, or it's sitting alongside one of the many freight yards and junctions approaching Chicago). Only a couple of hours to connect to the Empire Builder. Good luck! At least there's a half decent food court inside the station, plus the Metropolitan Lounge to chill out in.
#78
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
Considering the hundreds of millions already spent on the project, I would hope so! Even existing railroads don't want the high speed line: in one case specifically requesting a 150ft gap between their tracks and the high speed line "in case the high speed trains crash".
The other high speed line is from Los Angeles to Las Vegas - except it would start in Victorville (seems LA is too difficult to get to). So people near downtown LA would drive 1.5 hours to get to Victorville and then take the train for what is a 2.5 hour drive for the rest of the way? I don't think so! Nevertheless the subsequent plan is to join Victorville to the LA-SF high speed line, thus joining LA to LV with just a 100 mile detour.
The other high speed line is from Los Angeles to Las Vegas - except it would start in Victorville (seems LA is too difficult to get to). So people near downtown LA would drive 1.5 hours to get to Victorville and then take the train for what is a 2.5 hour drive for the rest of the way? I don't think so! Nevertheless the subsequent plan is to join Victorville to the LA-SF high speed line, thus joining LA to LV with just a 100 mile detour.
#79
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
I hope I'm wrong, the I'm very sceptical that these lines will get built. Public support in CA for them is waning, and the difficulty of building these lines into the major cities (LA, SF etc) is daunting in the face of all the nimbys. Put it like this: with the current political climate I doubt that the interstate highway system would have got funded and built. In the mean time, the infrastructure of the country continues to deteriorate and get left behind by other parts of the world.
I think the LA-SF link is less likely. Unlike the LV link which has to be finished to get any reward, the LA-SF can be built in stages and opened incrementally - which also means it can be cancelled at any stage for any political reason.
#80
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
years back there was a proposal for high speed rail linking 3 major cities in Texas, and I heard the airlines killed it... knew it would be too popular and price competitive!
short haul flights (less than 400 miles) are ideal for high speed rail, and are around of 25% of US flights - that's down from over 1/3 15 years ago, as airline travel gets to be more of a hassle, more delays, and more expensive. So the market is there and waiting.
short haul flights (less than 400 miles) are ideal for high speed rail, and are around of 25% of US flights - that's down from over 1/3 15 years ago, as airline travel gets to be more of a hassle, more delays, and more expensive. So the market is there and waiting.
#81
Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
Tonrob's train now estimated 1h49 late (hmm, I think that means it's either arrived and the status hasn't updated, or it's sitting alongside one of the many freight yards and junctions approaching Chicago). Only a couple of hours to connect to the Empire Builder. Good luck! At least there's a half decent food court inside the station, plus the Metropolitan Lounge to chill out in.
BTW - The Metropolitan Lounge is shit.
#82
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
I hope I'm wrong, the I'm very sceptical that these lines will get built. Public support in CA for them is waning, and the difficulty of building these lines into the major cities (LA, SF etc) is daunting in the face of all the nimbys. Put it like this: with the current political climate I doubt that the interstate highway system would have got funded and built. In the mean time, the infrastructure of the country continues to deteriorate and get left behind by other parts of the world.
#84
Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
Left Chicago 4 hours late due to a buggered dining car. Now, the next morning, we're 4.5 hours late entering North Dakota.
Food quite good (considering we're on a train) and all quite relaxing and fun so far.
Food quite good (considering we're on a train) and all quite relaxing and fun so far.
#85
Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
I hope you are taking photos for the benefit of your co-horts on here
Jim.
#89
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
TR is probably stuck in another siding by now, but hope you enjoy the rest of your journey.
#90
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Re: Coast-to-coast train journey
Compared to the public waiting area?