DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Unveiled: China's 245mph train service is the world's fastest

**ZZipZZipe** · 12-30-2009, 02:21 AM

that's change, of course, rather than proof that rail is the way it is today because of it. for better or worse, the pennsy realized in the 1920's that speed was the future of passenger rail. it's worth noting that averaging 245 mph, the train between nyc and chicago would be more like 3 hours I believe.

yes, the government has been a total failure in this regard. they've dodged what they should be doing (a balanced overall transportation policy/framework) and botched what they shouldn't be doing (micromanaging certain pieces).

Well, that was sort of what I was saying. While a good chunk of passenger rail problems are from the government managing it, some of it was also inevitable due to market changes with air travel.

Did rail have the tech to get to Chicago from Philly in 3 hours back in the 60s and 70s?

I am sure part of it is cyclical. Even if not for the government, there would still have been a stage where air travel would cut into rail ridership. Now, with the craziness of security checks, cost of fuel, cost of airports, delays, etc. rail has a window to make in roads again.

Of course, that is assuming passenger rail in the US was run by a group of people motivated to make a profit as opposed to being run by a group of people commissioned with just making sure rail is on life support.

Ultimately I think if you had a profit motivated passenger rail company, you would end up with a healthy competition between them, air and bus.

12-30-2009, 02:21 AM	#40
ZZipZZipe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 482 Senior Member	that's change, of course, rather than proof that rail is the way it is today because of it. for better or worse, the pennsy realized in the 1920's that speed was the future of passenger rail. it's worth noting that averaging 245 mph, the train between nyc and chicago would be more like 3 hours I believe. yes, the government has been a total failure in this regard. they've dodged what they should be doing (a balanced overall transportation policy/framework) and botched what they shouldn't be doing (micromanaging certain pieces). Well, that was sort of what I was saying. While a good chunk of passenger rail problems are from the government managing it, some of it was also inevitable due to market changes with air travel. Did rail have the tech to get to Chicago from Philly in 3 hours back in the 60s and 70s? I am sure part of it is cyclical. Even if not for the government, there would still have been a stage where air travel would cut into rail ridership. Now, with the craziness of security checks, cost of fuel, cost of airports, delays, etc. rail has a window to make in roads again. Of course, that is assuming passenger rail in the US was run by a group of people motivated to make a profit as opposed to being run by a group of people commissioned with just making sure rail is on life support. Ultimately I think if you had a profit motivated passenger rail company, you would end up with a healthy competition between them, air and bus.
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