My only quibble with the article is that 2 1/2 hours from LA to San Francisco is simply not possible. The train cannot run at max speed through the numerous mountain ranges the route crosses (there will have to be long sections or winding track) plus it can’t run at that speed through urban areas. It also, according to the state’s web site, will stop at stations along the way (no expresses) and that takes time too. So, it’s even worse than detractors think.
“The final price tag: a minimum of $40 billion ($50 billion-and-beyond maybe more likely)…”
I’d be surprised if they could get all the way to the end of the Environmental Impact Study for $50 billion…but not as surprised as I’d be if the project actually passed its EIS. This is going to be a giant welfare program for lawyers, and will never be built.
Sing it with me! “Monorail!”
Paraphrasing the William Shatner character Denny Crane,
“High Speed Trains!”
♫Mono-♫ D’oh!
Surely the obvious thing to do is to replace the track and bridges in the design with Rearden Metal?
I don’t know what all you detractors are on, but I, for one, am anxiously awaiting that train ride to Fresno. I mean, who wouldn’t?
Hrmmm… Given the length of track they propose to build for 5 billion, it looks to me like they’ll have high speed rail service from Fresno to Fresno within a few years. In fact, it could be the fastest public transportation transportation option for those in need of getting from Fresno to Fresno.
They’ll only have the one station, so, all they need to do is have doors on both sides of the train. The rider can go to the Fresno station, pay the hefty ticket price, step aboard, keep walking out the other side, and viola, they are in Fresno, just like that. Quite an accomplishment for 5 billion…
Your government tax dollars at work… 🙂
For the edification of those outside the Golden state, the most expensive track (going through LA on previous metro projects) ran a cool billion dollars a mile.
Lunacy is putting it charitably.
My only quibble with the article is that 2 1/2 hours from LA to San Francisco is simply not possible. The train cannot run at max speed through the numerous mountain ranges the route crosses (there will have to be long sections or winding track) plus it can’t run at that speed through urban areas. It also, according to the state’s web site, will stop at stations along the way (no expresses) and that takes time too. So, it’s even worse than detractors think.
“The final price tag: a minimum of $40 billion ($50 billion-and-beyond maybe more likely)…”
I’d be surprised if they could get all the way to the end of the Environmental Impact Study for $50 billion…but not as surprised as I’d be if the project actually passed its EIS. This is going to be a giant welfare program for lawyers, and will never be built.
Sing it with me! “Monorail!”
Paraphrasing the William Shatner character Denny Crane,
“High Speed Trains!”
♫Mono-♫ D’oh!
Surely the obvious thing to do is to replace the track and bridges in the design with Rearden Metal?
I don’t know what all you detractors are on, but I, for one, am anxiously awaiting that train ride to Fresno. I mean, who wouldn’t?
Hrmmm… Given the length of track they propose to build for 5 billion, it looks to me like they’ll have high speed rail service from Fresno to Fresno within a few years. In fact, it could be the fastest public transportation transportation option for those in need of getting from Fresno to Fresno.
They’ll only have the one station, so, all they need to do is have doors on both sides of the train. The rider can go to the Fresno station, pay the hefty ticket price, step aboard, keep walking out the other side, and viola, they are in Fresno, just like that. Quite an accomplishment for 5 billion…
Your government tax dollars at work… 🙂
For the edification of those outside the Golden state, the most expensive track (going through LA on previous metro projects) ran a cool billion dollars a mile.