High Speed Rail

[Fat Freddy]

I hate driving also.

But I hate even more the idea of being crammed into a tin can full of strangers with somebody else at the controls.

I don’t care if Public Transportation flies in the air, rolls on tracks, or drives down the freeway, I prefer to be in my own car by myself and be able to stop and get out whenever I want.

[jinj]

Inner city transportation is more important to fund that long distance.

The light rail here is useless for 99% of people.

[Sobefobik]

Originally Posted by jinj

Inner city transportation is more important to fund that long distance.

The light rail here is useless for 99% of people.

The reason it's not useful to many people is because we hardly have any. Yeah, when you have hardly any lines that service few areas, it's not going to help most people. But look at New York City. A lot of people there don't even have cars, and if they do, the only use them when driving long distances. If we had long-distance, fast, and quality rail that connected large cities and other areas across the US together, you could get rid of your car altogether if you wanted to. True, a car is nice to have because all areas are not going to be serviced, but you could limit the use of your car to bare bones.

We're a long way from there, but at least this is a first step to that.

[Blindtom]

Originally Posted by Sobefobik

The reason it's not useful to many people is because we hardly have any. Yeah, when you have hardly any lines that service few areas, it's not going to help most people. But look at New York City. A lot of people there don't even have cars, and if they do, the only use them when driving long distances. If we had long-distance, fast, and quality rail that connected large cities and other areas across the US together, you could get rid of your car altogether if you wanted to. True, a car is nice to have because all areas are not going to be serviced, but you could limit the use of your car to bare bones.

We're a long way from there, but at least this is a first step to that.

However, inner city transportation must be available at the destination.

[sean98125]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

I also think to people living in the Boston - NYC - Philly - DC corridor this would also make a lot of sense because of the population density.

That corridor is already served by high speed rail. The Acela trains run along that corridor at up to 150 mph. The best they are hoping to do in the Seattle-Portland corridor is about 125 mph, I think. They can go faster on the Acela line because Amtrak owns all of the trackage there whereas here it is leased from BNSF.

[sean98125]

Originally Posted by Blindtom

However, inner city transportation must be available at the destination.

The folks going to Portland will have an easy time getting around on their extensive commuter rail network.

Here, they'll be able to get to the Lowes on Rainier without much of a problem.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by sean98125

The folks going to Portland will have an easy time getting around on their extensive commuter rail network.

Here, they'll be able to get to the Lowes on Rainier without much of a problem.

But if they buy anything there how do they carry it back?

Ever try carrying a couple of 2x4s on the bus?

[DarkWolf]

The one thing i don't understand is the FRA wants transit & HSR to expand yet they keep these stupid weight laws. Also why did Amtrak buy Talgo cars that are mean't for speeds of 125 with Diesel engines and only run them at 80mph. Also you can buy smaller longer Locomotives instead of Amtrak's large and not-fitting Locos. Tax Payers need to tell the FRA and Feds to redo there rules becuz its hurting the Rail network out there and in most of the country.

[Sobefobik]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

But if they buy anything there how do they carry it back?

Ever try carrying a couple of 2x4s on the bus?

When I carry something I usually use my hands and inner exertion to pick it up. I know that's hard to imagine for some, but people do it everywhere.

In the case of 2 X 4's you would need a truck. There are still uses for cars. Building a massive transit system is not going to stop people from having cars; that is not the point.

[sean98125]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

But if they buy anything there how do they carry it back?

Ever try carrying a couple of 2x4s on the bus?

There are times when I wish I'd had some with me...