Biden: We Will Spark the Second Great Railroad Revolution (tweet with ad)

[highplainsdem]

Last edited Thu Dec 5, 2019, 12:54 AM - Edit history (1)

Tweeted minutes ago:

Link to tweet

Editing to add -- before any more people foolishly attack Biden's plans for our rail system as old-fashioned -- that this is similar to part of the Green New Deal:


https://www.vox.com/2019/2/8/18215774/green-new-deal-high-speed-train-air-travel

[TwilightZone]

1. The responses will be predictable.

Many won't understand that he's talking about public transportation and high-speed rail and will undoubtedly make references to steam engines and the like.

Looks like it's already started in the tweet comments....

[highplainsdem]

6. Many will understand. Biden's reaching out to the rational electorate, not the Biden bashers.

[pangaia]

67. better 'public' rail transportation is great.

So, actually is high speed rail.. But, high speed rail, unfortunately, will be almost impossible in this country, perhaps with the exception of a few areas.. brooklynite explains several reasons below...

[TheRealNorth]

79. We need high speed rail to make it an attractive option

Otherwise, why would I take a train when I can drive in about the same time and have the convenience of having a car when I reach the destination (although I suppose in some large cities a car may not be convenient)

My biggest problem with the Green Line in MSP is that it is too slow because they built it above ground at street level.

[Sanity Claws]

2. Biden should fire his communications manager

Malarky?
Railroad revolution?

Come on. I could do better than that. Joe, hire me.

[George II]

3. Why?

[TwilightZone]

4. You might want to actually watch the video.

He's talking about public transportation and high-speed rail. He's not talking about steam engines.

[JoeOtterbein]

9. Then it is a misleading headline if you are correct.

[George II]

16. No it's not.

[TwilightZone]

25. No.

Are you being intentionally obtuse?

[TidalWave46]

48. This isn't Politico. The headline goes with the op. NT

[LanternWaste]

50. Hanging your hat on literalism is on you... no one else.

[myohmy2]

84. +1

...

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. Lol. Wat?

[George II]

18. Watch the video.

[highplainsdem]

27. See reply 21. Also this article:

https://www.vox.com/2019/2/8/18215774/green-new-deal-high-speed-train-air-travel

[TidalWave46]

49. What is it that is confusing you? NT

[LanternWaste]

51. I ask the same when I see Bernie's downward spiral in the poll.

I really thought he'd do a better campaign than he is... more professional, engaging and with less pandering than he's actually doing.

I feel ya, buddy. It's a tough ol' world.

[JoeOtterbein]

7. Or maybe horses in our large cities instead of cars?

We can use the results to grow crops in our backyards. Maybe?

[Cha]

12. Ride trains instead of driving all those cars.

[JoeOtterbein]

14. Horses can take us where a train, or car, cannot in the city and elsewhere.

And maybe farmers can use livestock to plow. Maybe we are onto something new(ish)!

[Cha]

19. Then ride your horse.

[BannonsLiver]

29. Bernie's for high speed rail

Do you even know the positions of your candidate? Sure as hell doesn’t seem like it.

[LanternWaste]

54. Asses and mules can do the same. And cheaper. You should get on an ass.

Or maybe get off your ass.

Your choice.

(this post was written by this poster)

[highplainsdem]

21. Wow, Joe, you'd better tell Bernie he's wrong about high speed rail. Tweet from him:

Link to tweet

[peggysue2]

40. Oops!

Complainers ought to check their candidate's position.



As for high speed rail? I was astonished at how advanced the trains were in Paris. In the mid 1990s, for God's sake. Reducing the number of gas-guzzling cars is a huge step in reducing our carbon footprint.

What's not to like?

[applegrove]

30. In Japan they have rail everywhere. Biden should have used the word "rail".

[The Valley Below]

33. Perhaps you prefer heating American homes with wood stoves?

[LanternWaste]

53. When lacking anything substantial, you unfailingly go to the reductio ad absurdum fallacy.

I question why people call consistency the hobgoblin of little minds. Other times, I don't.

[brooklynite]

8. As a transportation professional, let me throw some water on this...

It sounds great and we definitely should.....but we won't.

As far as intercity rail, Amtrak only owns the tracks between Boston and Washington. Every long distance train operates on tracks of a private railroad, which gives priority to freight services. So the only way you can expand and speed up long distance service is to nationalize the private companies (which definitely won't happen) or force them to accept more passenger trains through legislation (which likely wouldn't be Constitutional).

As far as high speed rail, to get the kind of system they have in Europe and Asia, you have to establish a completely new right of way with banks and curves designed for 300 mph trains. That means acquiring private property all along the route -- eminent domain is incredible expensive and time consuming. When you get to the citifies, it's even worse; you'll need to tunnel, which adds to the cost.

[JoeOtterbein]

10. +1 nt

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. How do they get stuff done in Europe that we can't?

[BeyondGeography]

17. Because we stink

[Demsrule86]

36. So what your saying is the green new deal is bullshit? That has trains as well.

[Lancero]

20. They put people before money.

In the US, it's money before people.

It's far more noticeable in some aspects than others.

[brooklynite]

24. A stronger central government, weaker property laws and a less litigious population

[BannonsLiver]

26. That's the good old fashioned American determination and grit that got our boys to the moon.

[pangaia]

32. As sorry as I am to have to say it. Thank you...

It is an unfortunate truth.

In some areas, yeah maybe it can work.. east coast. no way..

[honest.abe]

38. It's doable.

The Purple Line in Maryland goes through major urban areas which required acquiring land all along the route. It was complicated and expensive but it was done. Of course this is smaller scale (16 miles) than something like DC to New York but it demonstrates it can done if we really want it.

[brooklynite]

73. ...and the Purple Line has been in planning since I worked on it in 1988.....

...AND its largely built around an existing abandoned rail line.

[honest.abe]

77. My wife is a design engineer on the project now and the abandoned rail line is just a part of it.

Most of it runs through new territory from New Carrollton to Silver Spring then from SS to Bethesda is the old rail line. They had to buy up a bunch of properties along the way and utilize roadways to make it work. It was an immense challenge but they pushed it through. There were also NIMBY lawsuits from the rich folks in Bethesda who didnt want a train in their backyard. That delayed things about 1 year. The point it its doable with enough money and desire to get it done.

Here's a map:
https://www.purplelinemd.com/component/jdownloads/send/16-maps/360-pl-transit-map

[brooklynite]

80. Now, scale up from a 16 mile transit line to...

Kansas City -- Houston (240 miles)
Los Angeles -- Denver (350 miles)
New York -- Chicago (800 miles)

[honest.abe]

81. Of course those will be much more complicated & expensive and likely wont get built in our lifetimes

I think the focus will be more on the local inter-city and inter-county rail which is already happening in many parts of the country. LA has huge plans with over 50 billion dedicated to new trans projects with much of it going to rail.

I think Joe is on the right track! (no pun intended!)

[honest.abe]

44. There are also tunneling proposals out there -- eg Elon Musk's Loop

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s initial proposal for a high-speed, 35-mile “Loop” tunnel between Baltimore and Washington took a step forward in the process toward government approval with the release of a environmental assessment by federal regulators.

But the “Loop” in the draft environmental impact statement released last week is a far cry from the “Hyperloop” Musk initially described. And some in the community question whether the costly project makes any sense and will ever get built.

While the twin tunnels would be designed to be able to accommodate Musk’s proposed 700 mph Hyperloop vacuum-tube pods in the future, it first would use autonomous electric vehicles — battery-powered, driverless cars with a top speed of 150 mph, allowing the trip to be completed in about 15 minutes.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-loop-by-the-numbers-20190422-story.html

[brooklynite]

76. I've worked on one of Musk's proposals and I've been briefed on another...

The ONLY project that he's moved ahead on is in Las Vegas, where all the property is owned by the company that hired him. His tunneling technology may be innovative, but he still hits the same Eminent Domain problems as any conventional project.

[honest.abe]

78. Yeah its a bit far fetched and will be incredibly expensive but its possible.

[Scurrilous]

71. In Florida's case a private company (FEC) is the one building the line.

It's the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail service in the US.

[brooklynite]

75. Intercity, yes. High speed, no.

Virgin Trains (ne Brightline) is designed as a "higher" speed rail line, but not something that will travel at 200+ mph. And it's success is based on the population density of a lot of the right of way; not a lot big market opportunities elsewhere in the US.

[Cha]

11. Sounds like the ultimate worthy goal!

Thanks, hpd!

[Cha]

15. LOL@the mockers! Joe Biden Train Rider..

After 8,200 round-trip train rides, Joe Biden heads home

https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/politics/biden-train-ride-trnd/index.html

[oasis]

22. Joe is energized. He'll get it done.

[pangaia]

34. Joe is mabe energized but who is going to force

land owners off their land, and pay for it, for starters?

You can not run high speed rail all over the place for the reasons that brooklynite explains above..

It's a shame but true..

[Demsrule86]

37. We have thousands of miles of unused rail that could be turned into a railroad system.

Last edited Thu Dec 5, 2019, 02:28 PM - Edit history (1)

We can work with what we have...some (who support other candidates) say this because it is Biden's idea...the Green new deal also calls for this...and I sure didn't hear some on this thread bash those who advanced the new deal...nope just another attack on Biden from some who support other candidates. It is a shame really as he is at this point the likely nominee...don't want to give the GOP ammunition against us in the general.

[pangaia]

64. "you all just say this because it is Biden's idea." How DARE you say that to me...

Stop with the false accusations.
And BTW WHO is "YOU ALL?"

[Demsrule86]

68. The fact is that many here put down any ideas that Biden has and in this case it is part of the

green new deal...which I have seen some here (not saying you) support without reservations...how about I change it to 'some', but the point remains...there are Biden haters who have been in agreement with some of his ideas when advance by others in and out of the primary that sneered and ridiculed such ideas when they came from Biden. Such outrage over a simple comment but didn't really answer the comment. I will change 'you' to 'some'. Have a nice day.

[pangaia]

82. "The fact is that many here put down any ideas that Biden has..."

Well, perhaps that is the case... ---
Of course there are many here that constantly criticize Sanders, Warren, Yang, etc etc...
And there are the supporters of a few who seem to just sit and wait for some one to criticize their candidate and them they pounce.. not referring to you at all. I have no idea.. But I am sure you have seen it happen...

BUT, you replied to ,me specifically in this case.
I do not go around putting down Biden's ideas.
I am not -'many, some, all, whatever,' -may do that.. but.I am just me...
So thank you for changing "you" to "some" because it surely isn't me.

I don't support or dislike any of the candidates in particular.... I will support whomever wins the primary...

[Demsrule86]

69. Please note I say 'you all' ...not directed at you in particular...but will update.

[pangaia]

83. Thank you for updating.. but if you think about it,,

at least if I think about it.. "you all" is directly putting ME in a category with some group or other.

That is mostly what bothers.. to assume that I am something I am not..
Happens here all too often...

Anyway, may the best person win and then totally embarrass trump

[Demsrule86]

85. I see what you thought...I had no idea why you were so upset...sorry. It was not my intention to

group you in any way...I make no assumptions like that. I want to Trumps face to turn from orange to a permanent red he is embarrassed so badly...I will vote for whoever the nominee is and I know you will to...

[pangaia]

86. all is good...

[BannonsLiver]

39. Plenty of room for improvement regardless

Doesn’t have to be cross country anyway. I’ve been all over the world, our rail system is a god damn embarrassment. A disgrace. Across every facet.

[treestar]

60. how did the other countries do it?

Another thing we can't do?

[pangaia]

65. "how did the other countries do it?' Several answers are scattered throughout this thread...

Plus a little research will quickly answer how the USA is different from those "other countries."

[treestar]

66. Gee it's too bad we are so unable

to go with the future.

[Iggo]

23. I got jokes...

...but I better not.

[JoeOtterbein]

28. Hhahahaaaaa! +1

[highplainsdem]

31. Have you got jokes about the Green New Deal, too, and those plans for our rail system?

https://www.vox.com/2019/2/8/18215774/green-new-deal-high-speed-train-air-travel

[Iggo]

46. And that right there is why.

DU Primaries is humorless place.

[underthematrix]

35. I watched the video and what he's talking about is combining three plans

green infrastructure, green public transportation and reduced dependence on oil. This is something President Obama did a speech during his first or second year in office.

RAILROAD and rail have very different meanings. Vice President Biden was talking about rail and light rail systems to et people around an urban area and also connect suburban areas to urban centers. We have light rail in northern CA.

[honest.abe]

41. He should have used the term rail instead of railroad but..

I understood what he meant even before watching the video. Others will insist he is out of touch grasping on the term railroad.. sigh.

[phleshdef]

43. Nah, I think more than anything, it reminds people that he is "Amtrak Joe", which is a strength.

[underthematrix]

56. He used rail and light rail. He did not use

railroad.

[honest.abe]

57. I was basing my comment on the title of the post.

I actually didnt watch the vid. Thanks for the correction!

[honest.abe]

61. Not to nitpick but his tweet used the term "railroad".

My administration will spark the second great railroad revolution to propel our nation's infrastructure into the future and help solve the climate emergency.

I see in the vid he used the term "rail".

[underthematrix]

62. Nitpicking is good.

I think the phrase "railroad revolution" is both nostalgic and forward thinking which is why his team sent out a tweet combining the two. Very clever.

[honest.abe]

63. Yes, I get that. Agreed.

[Scurrilous]

42. New railroad station under construction in downtown Miami.

Doesn't look old fashioned to me...

[honest.abe]

45. And the Purple Line under construction in Maryland looks cool too!

https://www.purplelinemd.com/

[Scurrilous]

70. Nice!

Miami's was originally called Brightline but they've rebranded as Virgin Trains USA.

Sir Richard Branson Debuts Virgin MiamiCentral Station And Virgin Trains USA

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lealane/2019/04/04/sir-richard-branson-debuts-virgin-miamicentral-station-and-virgin-trains-usa/#10c1dc303daf

[katmondoo]

47. I love the trains, if we had updated trains more people would love them too.

[TidalWave46]

52. It really is a bit shocking....

How ignorant Bidens opposition becomes when he does just about anything. They have to be against it even if they are for it. They will go against their own candidates platform, against things they have always believed in, just to satisfy their irrational and very personal hatred.

It really makes me like Biden even more.

[Peacetrain]

55. Sometimes I think people truly do not want to win the Presidency

they just want to bitch.. and that covers both sides of the aisle..

[Demsrule86]

74. Some put way more importance in the primary and their chosen candidate than they should...

a primary is merely a way to pick the best candidate to run in and win the general. some who are all in for one candidate or the other have difficulty in moving on and voting for the nominee it seems...let's vote blue no matter who. I love Biden but will vote for any nominee.

[LongtimeAZDem]

58. Biden understands not only Global Warming, but Peak Oil as well

[treestar]

59. And he's already got a station named after him!

The Wilmington, DE station.

[Act_of_Reparation]

72. I've been saying this for years.

It's a good idea. I hope he can sell it.