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FWIW- the New York Central provided scheduled 90 mph passenger trains from Buffalo, NY to Chicago in 1895 so 19th century thinking is not so out of place. We could afford a national HSR system if we stopped wasting money on pacifying the Middle East or keeping drug prices high with the War on Drugs. The money could easily build a rail system as well as pay down the debt.
FWIW- the New York Central provided scheduled 90 mph passenger trains from Buffalo, NY to Chicago in 1895 so 19th century thinking is not so out of place. We could afford a national HSR system if we stopped wasting money on pacifying the Middle East or keeping drug prices high with the War on Drugs. The money could easily build a rail system as well as pay down the debt.
Union Pacific fast express trains went 90 mph from Ogden, Utah to Boise, Idaho over the s.w. Wyoming route in the early 1900's commonly. While these were primarily light freight trains, they also had a couple of passenger cars. It was also possible to take a train from Denver to Ogden that averaged 70mph. That route included tunnels going through the Great Divide. Once that train was on the west side of the divide, it did 90mph.
Union Pacific fast express trains went 90 mph from Ogden, Utah to Boise, Idaho over the s.w. Wyoming route in the early 1900's commonly. While these were primarily light freight trains, they also had a couple of passenger cars. It was also possible to take a train from Denver to Ogden that averaged 70mph. That route included tunnels going through the Great Divide. Once that train was on the west side of the divide, it did 90mph.
That would still take 7+ hours to get from Denver to Ogden, not to mention time to/from train stations. Might as well drive. You can get there in about 9 hrs.
That would still take 7+ hours to get from Denver to Ogden, not to mention time to/from train stations. Might as well drive. You can get there in about 9 hrs.
That would still take 7+ hours to get from Denver to Ogden, not to mention time to/from train stations. Might as well drive. You can get there in about 9 hrs.
You can sleep on the train.
When I was in Europe, and had a Eurail Pass, I'd take long, overnight train trips on purpose, so that I didn't have to pay for a hotel room.
Amtrak ridership hit a new record last year, without any new high speed trains under some of the worst economic conditions in a lifetime. And critics claimed nobody would ride the trains.
(direct costs estimate)
500 miles x $.99 per mile = $495
(indirect costs estimate)
500 miles x $1.39 per mile = $695
{A typical car owner spends around $5000 to $17000 per year to "support" his car habit. That breaks down to roughly $14/day on the low side, and $46.50/day on the high side. }
Last edited by jetgraphics; 11-16-2011 at 08:27 AM..
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