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Obama's high-speed rail plan
By neilv on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 7:36pm
Obama unveiled a plan for high-speed rail projects, which may include money for improving the existing line serving Boston, the NYT reports.
The current Acela to New York is little faster than ordinary rail service.
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Comments
Well
As a railfan, I'm all for faster trains, but the reality is that they can never be much faster than the regular rails due the numerous issues in each community plus the inability to upgrade the current rails in many areas (like CT).
What about an inland route?
One of the maps I saw today seemed to show a second route, like through Hartford. Assuming those tracks are relatively straight (unlike the perpetually curved coast route), that could the a real fast train to New York.
The primary issue with the
The primary issue with the Acela is that there are certain parts of the track that don't allow it to go at full speed because the train can't tilt completely. Wikipedia describes the issue better than I possibly could here.
I would think a second route could alleviate some of these issues especially if were a dedicated high-speed line (as one of the primary issues is that high speed and regular freights are not supposed to run on the same tracks), I think it'd mainly be a matter of politics as far as getting everything approved and convince people to let a train going 150+ mph through their town ("think about the children!")
True, but...
A bigger issue in CT is the Acela having to wait in line behind 60 mph MetroNorth trains running on the same track. Limited tilting slows them down, but rarely do they have run at 60 unless MetroNorth is ahead of them (or there is damage to the track).
The most difficult hurdle is
The most difficult hurdle is going to be people. Everyone wants it, but "not in my backyard." The second issue is the more others have mentioned about the acela. You can't combine high speed service with low speed and freight service, it need dedicated tracks. I guess that would be a lot of new jobs.
I also find it interesting that most of the interior plains lack any high speed rail in the plan. Wouldn't a 250+ mph route be a perfect fit here? Once you hit the mountains I guess that would be another set of problems, but seriously didn't we overcome this type of engineering problem like 150 years ago?
Is that today's Franklin Line?
which used to continue through Woonsocket and beyond?
Lakeshore Limited meets Vermonter
I suspect that it would be a line that joins up the Lakeshore Limited with the line that runs from NYC to Vermont.
Those lines meet up in Springfield,Massachusetts.
http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/national.pdf
Vermonter -- Springfield
I live in Wilbraham, and the Vermonter is not convenient because it leaves late afternoon and only goes to Burlington. I ski, and if I could use it, I would. It leaves you no where near a rental car fleet and too far away from most of the big hills for them to send a bus to pick you up. I guess if you're a student at one of the VT schools it's OK, but it's just not practical for anyone else. I drive to VT when I go.
I took Amtrak into NYC recently, and there were three railcars, a huge diesel engine pulling it, and about a half dozen employees working the train that day. I was the ONLY PASSENGER on the train! Amtrak is a black hole for budget money and if Obama thinks he can change it by throwing even more money at it, then he needs to get his head examined. It must have something to do with union jobs, that's all I can figure.
I heard one bantered about once
I had heard of a concept line that would run down the Pike through Springfield to Albany and then down the NY Thruway to Newark/NYC. Basically, the right of ways are already there and both of the roads (I-90 and I-87) are pretty much straight (good for high speed lines).
I don't know if this proposal made it any further than concept.
Sounds like a good idea to me
Make use existing corridors instead of cutting through people's property or forests. Also a great alternative to "build more highways" madness.
N/S Rail Link
I couldn't help but notice what seems to be a continuation of the high speed line THROUGH Boston. Could this potentially revive the North-South rail link?
Good idea
That is a good idea to link North and South Stations. Maybe we could build a tunnel -- Doh!
We already have two. One's
We already have two. One's called "Red one stop and then take the Orange if you're feeling lazy" and the other is called "Take the Red to the Green if you're feeling leisurely."
A North/South connector is just a waste of money, period. Most people using it would be rush-hour commuters, and the trains run quickly enough that there wouldn't be much benefit (I've gotten from North to South in about ten minutes). Anybody else can just budget 20 minutes into their travels.
Once More With Luggage
Or maybe a wheelchair. What is "simple" to you adds 15-20 minutes to the commute for others and is impossible for others still.
I need to get from North Station to the Financial district - just like a whole lot of people. Unfortunately, this can add 30 minutes if I don't bring my folding bike and take the T, 20 if I walk.
You are obviously free of having to keep to daycare schedules and frivolous issues like that with your attitude about how 20 minutes doesn't matter. 20-30 minutes to get a little over a mile is not acceptable. It is also impossible at times to even get on the orange line trains at North Station as they are packed solid.
There was a north-south connector along what is now the greenway. Alas, the needs of people getting from South to North Station - by bike and by public transit - were totally omitted when that stretch was rebuilt for the sake of tourists who do and don't exist.
A little more info
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintel...
Pretty cool
I think a high speed line to Montreal would be pretty cool. Even cooler if it were a real high speed line and got there in under two hours.
BTW, here's a visual for y'all. Yeah, it's the same map that's been hanging around since 2005. Obama's map is this same thing made prettier and in red, white, and blue.
Montreal
There was once upon a time an express train that ran Boston to Montreal.
My only reservation would be rail-hopping offspring: "Hi, Mom? Yeah ... guess where I am ... yes, I brought my passport, and I have a hostel reservation ... see you sunday night!"
That's a good thing
No, really. That's something to look forward to.
Besides, your kid will have a cell phone. He can text-message you that's he's met a cool guy who wants to play lacrosse with him.
I'm honestly a little
I'm honestly a little surprised they're not going to high speed the Chicago -> Seattle line, through Montana/etc, it seems like it'd be one of the easier ones to upgrade.
The Acela is faster mostly
The Acela is faster mostly because they cut out so many stops between Boston and NYC.
And still not much faster
But the cars are fancier.