A High Speed Rail?

[Southlander]

It won't happen because of Birmingham.
But it MIGHT happen because it would connect NYC, Washington, Atlanta and New Orleans.
And that would be very good for Birmingham. AND Alabama.

[jpatt10]

Originally Posted by Southlander

It won't happen because of Birmingham.
But it MIGHT happen because it would connect NYC, Washington, Atlanta and New Orleans.
And that would be very good for Birmingham. AND Alabama.

That would be terrific actually.

[3am green coffee]

Originally Posted by Southlander

It won't happen because of Birmingham.
But it MIGHT happen because it would connect NYC, Washington, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Not likely at all.

Departing Friday, taking a one-way trip from NY to New Orleans this weekend on the existing rail line would cost you at least $240. One would expect a brand spanking new high speed rail line to cost quite a bit more than that. After all, it'll have to pay for itself somehow.

It would be about a 1300 mile trip. In actual operation the trains wouldn't average faster than 200mph. So you're looking at at least a 6.5 hour transit time, not including your trip to the station, getting there at least an hour early to get through TSA security (just like the airport), baggage check (just like the airport), etc.

But wait! You can get a ticket on USAirways that same day for $114, with a flight time of under 5 hours.

So why would anybody spend more for a train ride that would take more time and still carry all the same security and parking hassles?

The reason trains work in the northeast is that the cities are close enough together that you don't save time or money by flying. And make no mistake, it's business travelers who provide the demand to keep that corridor operating. Once you get past DC, there's really just not enough demand from business travelers to make a train an economically feasible alternative to aircraft. That's why the Acela stops there now instead of following the Crescent on down south. Somebody who needs to go from NY, Philadelphia or DC to Atlanta, Birmingham or New Orleans is still going to fly and leave the trains empty.