That's my point though. A true high speed system is most likely to be used in the highest population concentrations with an urban support system to back it up. Outside of major cities, the west has no system like that until you get to the coasts. Plus we are dealing with distances that ask why not fly since a plane is still faster than even a 400 mph train, and won't cost a fortune to implement.

I don't agree with the idea it would boost sectors of the western economy apart from actually building the thing, my objection to the idea is the extremely narrow efficiency advanage making it unlikely it will get used.

For example, let's say I wanted to get from chicago to springfield MO. There is next to no cheap supporting infrastructure in such a city, a basic bus system, nothing like a subway, expensive cab service, and everything is spread out. I get off my train, I immediately have to spend money on renting a car or taking a cab everywhere, completely offsetting the advantage, since this is everything I have to do if I fly in anyway, and the flight would be faster, even with a connection in st louis.

They've tried to implement light rail and passenger service repeatedly in southern MO, where now none exists, and there is simply no demand for such a service, even bus service between cities is not extensive due to low demand. The interstate system is excellent, and the air system is reasonably efficient and already in place. Personally, I don't see such a rail system ever getting used in the west in such a way as to make it worth the investment.

It would make much more sense in pockets like between san francisco and sandiego, or between boston and washington, or along the gulf coast in texas or parts of florida. It would be fastest and cheapest inthe wide open spaces, but where's the passenger traffic? It would be most useful where it can connect major cities and be supported by urban infrastructure. Id love to see such a system in areas like that, but right now its a waste of money with the country nearly bankrupt

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

If 400 mph can be maintained fairly consistently, it would probably be close to a wash between a plane and the train for trips of a few hours. Train could start out faster, not have taxiing and climb-out times, and board quickly. (Even 10 min is better than 1/2 hour.)

This being said, has anyone got a Maglev that actually does 400 mph to work in the real world?

Hell, I like teleporters. They're fast and quiet. All we have to do is invent them and then we can save lots of oil.

Exactly, without upgrading the entire rail network, the acela train was just a waste of money, despite its potential speed. Its basically another passenger train now for a few extra bucks and you get there 3 minutes earlier. I've taken it a few times as a novelty, and now I deliberately avoid it since there is next to no advantage and you pay a little more

as a comparison, if I introduce an 800 mph plane, the speed advantage can be used immediately with almost no change to the existing network. The main disadvantage to a train is the entire network must be improved to realize greater efficiency, not just the train itself, which is prohibitively expensive.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

According to the fly, you gotta be naked unless you want your pair of dockers to become part of your genetic structure. So when we implement these teleporters, I think it stands to reason that use only be allowed to attractive women between the ages of 18 and 25.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Which is why we shouldn't be wasting time on upgrading 18th century technology. We should paradigm shift to maglev.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

A current high-speed train has as much in common with a 1850s train as a 2012 Mercedes has with a horse buggy.

Oh don't get me or my friend started on this BS which I'm close enough to actually HEAR them working on from my own backyard....

I'm sorry almost no one who works in Hartford lives in New Britain. All of the well paid workers from the city take I-84 to West Hartford, Simsbury, Avon, & Farmington. Small wonder that the traffic in the afternoon on I-84 West always dissipates just after the connection of route 6 and 9 by West Farms mall long before it gets to New Britain, Now what SHOULD be corrected is that terrible bottleneck on route 4 going into the Farmington valley. THAT would make a difference in reducing traffic instantly.

As a side note those breaking ground shovels in the photo are a few hundred dollars a piece

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Still runs on rails.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Here, this will make you feel better. Don't think of it as a tremendous waste of everyone's money for a busway that will never see a fraction of the ridership needed to pay for it. Or a busway from a dying city to another dying city. Think of it as a state- and federally-subsidized pot, crack and meth delivery system to a couple suburbs for our two main, local sources of illegal drugs. Although I suppose the CCSU kids who get bored with New Britain's lack of nightlife can hop on it to go experience Hartford's lack of nightlife.

I'll probably go take it for a ride just after it starts running, before it starts smelling like urine, just so I feel like I got something out of it.

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Stupid stupid stupid. The bus system in Hartford blows beyond belief to start, they could have beefed that up slightly.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Nice

I'm just going to sit back and wait until money dries up and the buses stop running. Once that happens the stretch will (If someone in government has an OUNCE of brainpower....) simply become a nice little highway bypass without traffic lights which will allow people to DRIVE to Hartford or New Britain without getting on the highway.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I was thinking dragstrip....

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

That also crossed my mind but I doubt local officials would ever let it fly in such "a heavily populated area"

It would cut down on the turnpikes street racing though....

The Berlin Turnpike is getting a little crowded...

__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif