Will you take high speed trains to go to Chicago when they are finished? (Columbus: living in, price)

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by OHKID

Right now, the only proposal I see being active is one for a high-speed train from Columbus to Chicago. Hopefully it happens.


lipued, you might want to check out All Aboard Ohio. Lots of good info there:

All Aboard Ohio - Advocacy group for intercity travel in Ohio.

And here's a link to good info on the CBUS-CHI proposal:

Columbus-Lima-Fort Wayne-Chicago passenger rail

I know Columbus helped pay for the initial study, so it is interested in moving this forward. The plan now is to do an environmental impact study, and the group is getting funding together for that now. I think this has a better chance of happening than say, the 3-C, if only because the cost would be split between 3 states and does not rely only on the wisdom of the GOP-controlled Ohio government. Most of the cost seems to not be the state's burden, either.

As to whether or not I would ride it... absolutely. It is certainly competitive to air travel.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Pretty sure our governor killed the train idea in Ohio...

He won't have control over this proposal. Most of the funding will come from the federal government. The rest possibly split between the involved cities.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Pretty sure our governor killed the train idea in Ohio...

Sadly, you may be right--but we can still dream, can't we? Right now, the proposed Columbus-Chicago route holds the best promise of being implemented, mainly because it seems to be a realistic, straight-shot proposal that could introduce "European TGV/ICE type" high-speed rail to Ohio--then maybe later to a more elaborate "3-C" corridor.

[Tobias C]

Originally Posted by sandwalk

If/When the Lakeshore Limited / Capitol Limited Amtrak routes are upgraded for higher speed trains, I would absolutely take them. These routes currently connect Chicago to the East Coast via Toledo & Cleveland. I'm from Sandusky (where both routes make a stop) and currently live in the Chicagoland area. As it stands right now, it's actually faster to drive my car when I come home to visit family. It's pretty sad that 'the greatest country in the world' has terrible passenger rail infrastructure.

Same here kinda. I live in Toledo. I travel to Chicago once or twice a year, but I only take Amtrak if I'm going by myself (meaning I have no one else to share the gas expense so the train is just as financially practical for me). If it was cheaper and faster though I would probably visit Chicago more often as I have friends and family there and would attend some sports events there. I would also take a train from Toledo to Columbus several times a year if it were possible.

On the same rail line....if it ran frequently enough and it were possible to buy an annual pass for amtrak....I would take it to work in Sandusky since its quite the car drive for me daily.

Count me in as rider if it comes through Toledo!

[lipued]

Originally Posted by Tobias C

Count me in as rider if it comes through Toledo!

I think every train must come through Toledo if it wants to go to Cleveland...

[jehane]

I would definitely take the train. Although I would probably prefer New York as a destination. I would be prepared to pay more (up to a point) for high-speed if the timings are suitable for a weekend trip. But it needs to be operational in the next few years before I finish my studies and move on.

[Tobias C]

Originally Posted by lipued

I think every train must come through Toledo if it wants to go to Cleveland...

High speed, that is.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by jehane

I would definitely take the train. Although I would probably prefer New York as a destination. I would be prepared to pay more (up to a point) for high-speed if the timings are suitable for a weekend trip. But it needs to be operational in the next few years before I finish my studies and move on.

Yeah NYC would be a much better destination. It'd be really cool to have a high speed line that connects NYC and Chicago or DC and Chicago.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Yeah NYC would be a much better destination. It'd be really cool to have a high speed line that connects NYC and Chicago or DC and Chicago.

In reference to a high speed line between NYC and Chicago, we're all anticipating riding present-day European-type trains that travel 150-200 MPH.

However, how many forum members realize that, some 75-years ago, two of the world's most famous passenger-trains (New York Central's "20th Century Limited" and Pennsylvania Railroad's "Broadway Limited") competed with each other in a much publicized, prestigious daily race between NYC and Chicago?

In the height of the "steam era" these luxurious trains traveled the 900-mile journey in 16-hrs, averaging 60 MPH. (In trial runs, the trains hit 125 MPH for limited distances). And, another thing worth noting--they terminated their journeys in the city centers, namely either Grand Central Terminal or LaSalle Street Station, accompanied, literally, with the "red carpet treatment."

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Yeah NYC would be a much better destination. It'd be really cool to have a high speed line that connects NYC and Chicago or DC and Chicago.

Reading through the initial study, it wouldn't be all that hard for a 2nd phase to connect the line from Columbus to Pittsburgh and then on to NYC.