Can We Catch Up?
While U.S. railways have languished, the rest of the industrialized world has been building up its high-speed rail systems.
FRANCE Last fall, Parisians celebrated the unveiling of a new 200 mph TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) linking Paris to the German border, where it meets up with Germany’s own high-speed InterCityExpress. In April, an experimental TGV run on the Paris-Strasbourg route hit 357 mph, while French fans lined the tracks, cheering.
SPAIN High-speed trains have run between Madrid and its southern cities for more than a decade. Soon they will cover the 375 miles between Barcelona and Madrid—the distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston, a 7-hour trip—in 2 1/2 hours. There’s even talk of a rail tunnel to link Spain with Morocco, beneath Gibraltar.
JAPAN The pioneer of the bullet train, Japan has developed a 360 mph magnetic-levitation, or maglev, train that rides a cushion of air. Propelled by the electromagnetic force of magnets, these trains are designed as complete transportation systems.
CHINA Given its vast distances, China has committed a quarter-trillion dollars to its railway service. A trip from Shanghai to Beijing—the distance from Chicago to Baltimore, 18 hours by Amtrak —will eventually take 5 hours.
Comments:
We're far behind
By Charlene R. Ellis on 11/14/2007 8:16:PM
Having traveled in many foreign countries, I have been impressed at the train and subway methods of travel worldwide. It is cheap, fast, and has always amazed me when I have used it as my method of transportation. We have missed the boat here in America with all our cars, SUVs, etc. Yes, I love to drive my car, it is convenient and I can use my time schedule the way I desire, but it has led us to a nation who is pretty self-centered and independent. We rode Amtrack from Newton, KS to Albuquerque NM years ago and loved it. We would love to go from Wichita to Austin TX, or Southern Indiana, or even Kansas City, MO, but it is not available. Is it cheaper? No. But it is good, and we should all give it a try. You'll be delighted traveling on the train. We sure were.
Rail travel; the wave of the future.
By stayathomedad on 11/14/2007 3:23:PM
As our country's population steadily increases and more and more automobiles enter the highway, society will not have any other choice but to look to train travel, not only for between cities and states but also for mass transportation on the rails within those larger cities that currently do not have it. Train travel, with its many advantages, is the smart choice for America's future.
trains
By Aiti on 11/13/2007 9:24:PM
i have only had 2 opportunities for train travel. i found my trip from Chicago to Los Angeles totally enjoyable. wonderfully relaxing - good food. my problem is the expense. i could not afford a compsrtment; as I am considerably older now, i do not think I could sit up for 3 nights.
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