General Discussion

Agschmid

(28,749 posts) Wed Feb 25, 2015, 06:37 PM Feb 2015

American Ingenuity Stifled - The Supertrain of 1979

On February 7th, 1979, thousands of Americans were introduced to the Supertrain, which ran from New York to Los Angeles. Nuclear-powered, the super-wide-bodied train topped out at 190 miles per hour and boasted on-board luxuries like a swimming pool, a discotheque, a shopping center and a movie theater. It even had a dedicated on-board Social Director.

But it only made nine voyages over three months… and here is why.

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So now you see why I don't have much faith that America will ever produce a coast-to-coast high-speed rail system. We can't even get it right on TV.

9 replies

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American Ingenuity Stifled - The Supertrain of 1979 (Original Post) Agschmid Feb 2015 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author olddots Feb 2015 #1

Steve and Eydie was their first mistake Enrique Feb 2015 #2

You can have your Supertrain, just leave me... KansDem Feb 2015 #3

Love this! Agschmid Feb 2015 #4

Brings back memories of lazy afternoons sitting in front of the TV in the family room... KansDem Feb 2015 #5

I wasn't around when it was on, but it sure is interesting to check out the history. Agschmid Feb 2015 #6

We also had a nuclear-powered Greyhound bus in 1976 bananas Feb 2015 #7

I'm going to have to google this one! Agschmid Feb 2015 #9

Has anyone heard any updates on the stimulus program Mnpaul Feb 2015 #8

Response to Agschmid (Original post)

olddots This message was self-deleted by its author.

Enrique

(27,461 posts)

2. Steve and Eydie was their first mistake

Reply to Agschmid (Original post)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 06:55 PM

Feb 2015

KansDem

(28,498 posts)

3. You can have your Supertrain, just leave me...

Reply to Agschmid (Original post)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 06:57 PM

Feb 2015

SUPERCAR!!!

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)

4. Love this!

Reply to KansDem (Reply #3)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 06:58 PM

Feb 2015

Such interesting stuff huh?

KansDem

(28,498 posts)

5. Brings back memories of lazy afternoons sitting in front of the TV in the family room...

Reply to Agschmid (Reply #4)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 07:08 PM

Feb 2015

I noticed YouTube has complete episodes! I may watch one this Saturday afternoon...

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)

6. I wasn't around when it was on, but it sure is interesting to check out the history.

Reply to KansDem (Reply #5)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 07:09 PM

Feb 2015

bananas

(27,509 posts)

7. We also had a nuclear-powered Greyhound bus in 1976

Reply to Agschmid (Original post)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 10:16 PM

Feb 2015

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074205/

The Big Bus (1976)

The ultimate disaster film parody. A nuclear powered bus is going Non-stop from New York to Denver and is plagued by disasters due to the machinations of a mysterious group allied with the Oil lobby. When the driver is injured a washed up, down on his luck, but used to be great type, who as it happens, used to be engaged to the inventor's daughter is brought in to drive the giant bus which includes a one lane swimming pool and a one lane bowling alley.

If you like movies like Airplane!, you'll like this one.

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)

9. I'm going to have to google this one!

Reply to bananas (Reply #7)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 10:46 PM

Feb 2015

Mnpaul

(3,655 posts)

8. Has anyone heard any updates on the stimulus program

Reply to Agschmid (Original post)

Wed Feb 25, 2015, 10:43 PM

Feb 2015

to build a train line from Disneyland to the Bunny Ranch? Maybe we should contact Meagan Kelly for an update.
http://thinkprogress.org/media/2009/03/02/36512/franks-lie-red-light-express/

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