General Discussion

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

40. Depends on a whole lot of factors

Mon Feb 11, 2013, 01:58 PM

Feb 2013

Traveling from LA to NYC via air doesn't take a calendar day....only on paper.

Add in all the other time sinks for air travel (get to airport 2 hours early, probably have a 2+ hour layover, the hassles when you get to NYC) and you've burned an entire day.

If the actual travel is more pleasant, which would be really damn easy to do, then it would get a lot of riders. If it's cheaper than air travel, which also should be easy to do, then it would get even more riders.

With current airline schedules, I can only do 1-night business trips to the Eastern 1/3rd of the country (fly out one afternoon, have meeting the next day, fly back next evening). The western 2/3rds of the country requires 2 nights because the airlines can not get me back via afternoon/evening flights. So your hypothetical rail situation would make me lose exactly nothing.

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Highlight:

This Future Map Of The United States Is Way Cooler Than Any Current Map Of The United States [View all] Mira Feb 2013 OP

Very cool. longship Feb 2013 #1

The general population is aging, has money and time to make this a huge bonanza for the country! kelliekat44 Feb 2013 #68

poor alaska roguevalley Feb 2013 #137

***** Link to Whitehouse Petition ***** NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #83

Done mcar Feb 2013 #100

Thanks for doing this. Mira Feb 2013 #128

Done!!! Rhiannon12866 Feb 2013 #138

Another rail petition I stumbled on searching for passwords & such........ kooljerk666 Feb 2013 #150

I would travel the country on that system. Man that would be sweet! nt Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #2

Would you believe I had JUST said to someone Mira Feb 2013 #6

I believe it. I'm a bit of a public transportation nut, however. I'm constantly proselytizing Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #8

Try it zipplewrath Feb 2013 #55

I did exactly that on a trip to Belgium last October... CTyankee Feb 2013 #70

I love Bruge mikeysnot Feb 2013 #82

It has gotten a little "touristy" but I was expecting that. CTyankee Feb 2013 #87

I think I saw one that mikeysnot Feb 2013 #93

There are some Roman Catholic nuns at the one I saw. It looks like a college campus. CTyankee Feb 2013 #97

"In Bruges" -- one of the quirkiest movies ever. CrispyQ Feb 2013 #158

Do it. mikeysnot Feb 2013 #160

I would travel the country on that system. Man that would be sweet! AlbertCat Feb 2013 #96

I would love it. dotymed Feb 2013 #148

how many signatures does it have now sad-cafe Feb 2013 #3

Here's what the website says... LeftofObama Feb 2013 #46

thank you sad-cafe Feb 2013 #50

Do you have link to the petition? UnrepentantLiberal Feb 2013 #71

. NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #84

Thanks. UnrepentantLiberal Feb 2013 #89

It tool me to information on sharing the site. xxqqqzme Feb 2013 #105

I love the idea of national high-speed rail, Auggie Feb 2013 #4

It'd be nice... TDale313 Feb 2013 #177

Love this and should have been done years ago. libtodeath Feb 2013 #5

Best US map ever nt TomClash Feb 2013 #7

Travel at 220 mph is only possible on roadbeds designed for high-speed passenger service FarCenter Feb 2013 #9

It might be a pipe dream... TheProgressive Feb 2013 #11

By definition, we have never built the impossible -- but we have built the uneconomic FarCenter Feb 2013 #45

I have to disagree with your statements... TheProgressive Feb 2013 #53

I'm not totally against high-speed rail -- it should be built where economic FarCenter Feb 2013 #60

Yes, expanding our currently heavily-used lines would be the way to start. amandabeech Feb 2013 #92

You make good points so hope this isnt seen as an argument but at one time rural electrification was libtodeath Feb 2013 #118

One of FDR's great programs set up Rural Electric Co-ops. amandabeech Feb 2013 #167

It's more of an investment than a pipe dream Major Nikon Feb 2013 #154

I'm impressed with your detailed knowledge of building high speed rail Mira Feb 2013 #12

Hopefully not these people. though FrodosPet Feb 2013 #22

Thank you for the article and link. nt siligut Feb 2013 #59

We'd want new rail lines anyway jeff47 Feb 2013 #35

Correct, passenger only roadbeds reduce the end-to-end crush resistance requirements FarCenter Feb 2013 #48

You make an important point about the need SheilaT Feb 2013 #41

Actually, depending on the specific speed restriction Freight travels closer to 70. Amtrak at 80. Gore1FL Feb 2013 #75

70 mph would be for container and refrigerated freight trains on the best quality track. FarCenter Feb 2013 #86

Yes, the speeds I mentioned were for hotshots. Gore1FL Feb 2013 #134

They said that about the interstate highway system, but they built it. yardwork Feb 2013 #124

I'm a railroad buff, and I'm not quite as certain about the 'pipe dream' aspect ColesCountyDem Feb 2013 #144

Interstates have minimum radius of 1500 feet and max grades of 4-6% FarCenter Feb 2013 #163

When on long road trips I have often envisioned both renewable energy infrastructure ChisolmTrailDem Feb 2013 #175

Amtrak's Sunset Limited was popular - Miami to Los Angeles csziggy Feb 2013 #164

The more practical route across the south would be from Atlanta to Dallas along I-20 FarCenter Feb 2013 #165

That route would be much more expensive csziggy Feb 2013 #166

Things we gained as a nation with the CCC works program were a pipe dream too. ChisolmTrailDem Feb 2013 #174

Our stupid governor (worst ever) vetoed high speed rail after the citizens voted for it... Sancho Feb 2013 #10

And of course, he joins our stupid governor Lifelong Protester Feb 2013 #13

I'm with you. loudsue Feb 2013 #28

We in California Thank Your Stupid Governor for the Extra High Speed Rail Funds AndyTiedye Feb 2013 #51

yea...you're welcome (sort of)... Sancho Feb 2013 #95

It would be powered by electricity, not oil. That's a big deal. hunter Feb 2013 #14

And increase our coal use Recursion Feb 2013 #21

Probably not jeff47 Feb 2013 #36

Check the EIA. Coal is still King. n/t amandabeech Feb 2013 #169

Only because it was king before jeff47 Feb 2013 #183

all trains, other than locomotives are electric. DeadEyeDyck Feb 2013 #52

I was thinking the overhead line sort, not gas turbine- or diesel-electric. hunter Feb 2013 #98

I get you DeadEyeDyck Feb 2013 #122

Exactly. Electricity, the ultimate "flex fuel"... NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #102

I hate to be a spoilsport, but this is a silly idea on its face. Dreamer Tatum Feb 2013 #15

Thank goodness President Eisenhower didn't feel this way. Just sayin'..... snappyturtle Feb 2013 #31

Air travel is oil intensive, and for trips of less than 600 miles, rail is more economical Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #38

Depends on a whole lot of factors jeff47 Feb 2013 #40

Not this canard again... ArtiChoke Feb 2013 #47

The point has eluded you. Dreamer Tatum Feb 2013 #49

How do the Europeans afford it then? n/t ArtiChoke Feb 2013 #74

They run deficits OnlinePoker Feb 2013 #147

yes...it is worth it noiretextatique Feb 2013 #117

Belin to Seville is about 1400 miles, while Boston to Dallas is 1570 -- And Spain is uneconomic FarCenter Feb 2013 #56

Texas is still not 1400 miles across... ArtiChoke Feb 2013 #78

Port Arthur to El Paso is 833 miles -- mostly nothing between San Antonio and El Paso. FarCenter Feb 2013 #88

Nobody would go from NYC to LA. Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #65

I would! RudynJack Feb 2013 #107

ever spent a couple of days on a train? Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #108

It wouldn't be straight through. RudynJack Feb 2013 #109

at 220 mph, la-nyc = 13 hours. HiPointDem Feb 2013 #111

No stops? None? Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #126

You can go from Tokyo to Fukuoka (680 miles) in 5 hours, including stops. HiPointDem Feb 2013 #142

Reasonable, but you need to add in time for going over the Rockies. Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #156

Travel with a rail pass gives ya time you need..... kooljerk666 Feb 2013 #189

But NYC to Cleveland? Cleveland to Chicago? Chicago to St. Louis? Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #113

My point exactly. Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #127

Better service between Detroit and Chicago would be nice. amandabeech Feb 2013 #170

Detroit's new light rail system could be expanded to the high speed rail station Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #173

Perhaps that light rail could connect with another route going NW. amandabeech Feb 2013 #179

I would take my whole family and they would most likely have fun...America is beutiful uponit7771 Feb 2013 #140

Faster than driving, and cheaper than air Hugabear Feb 2013 #85

Currently, air is a little cheaper FarCenter Feb 2013 #90

Except for the piddling hundreds of billions it would cost to build. nt Dreamer Tatum Feb 2013 #94

I fly in Europe constantly, Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #185

Great idea! loudsue Feb 2013 #16

Mag-Lev or Bust derby378 Feb 2013 #17

Pneumatic tubes would be faster. yellowcanine Feb 2013 #18

High speed rail is not a truck Johonny Feb 2013 #19

I thought that was the internets. ;) Fantastic Anarchist Feb 2013 #99

Yes. Faster, cheaper, safer. GreenStormCloud Feb 2013 #44

K&R midnight Feb 2013 #20

It needs the Empire Builder leg from Seattle to Minneapolis and Morning Dew Feb 2013 #23

Better yet, monorail. colorado_ufo Feb 2013 #24

exactly the right idea. loudsue Feb 2013 #33

Not any cheaper than what Japan does in snowy regions Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #39

I could travel by rail...that be cool nadinbrzezinski Feb 2013 #25

Really cool, but... GoCubsGo Feb 2013 #26

High speed rail stops being easier between 500-1000 miles. tinrobot Feb 2013 #27

That's the problem, the "deciders" always opt for the plan that dooms the idea. Egalitarian Thug Feb 2013 #64

This would be a great New New Deal project, it'd be grand!! nc4bo Feb 2013 #29

There needs to be a link between Kansas City, Des Moines and Minneapolis. RC Feb 2013 #30

Thanks for posting....signed the petition...easy to do...hope many will. snappyturtle Feb 2013 #32

Awesome lovuian Feb 2013 #34

Gov. Kasich of Ohio opted out No Vested Interest Feb 2013 #37

I think that would be great. but what if. zeemike Feb 2013 #42

Don't know if it's true nationally... ewagner Feb 2013 #43

If I read the map right... Johnny Noshoes Feb 2013 #54

That America Tien1985 Feb 2013 #61

Yes, using and expanding existing rights of way is the way to do this. NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #103

The Interstate system right of ways have curves too sharp and grades too steep FarCenter Feb 2013 #116

great idea shireen Feb 2013 #57

I already live in a place like that DFW Feb 2013 #58

That would be so cool tavalon Feb 2013 #62

The problem I have with all the plans like this that I see Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #63

That loop through the UP of Michigan and down through northern lower Michigan amandabeech Feb 2013 #171

a rail bridge wouldn't be that big a deal, and it would be a boom for tourism Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #172

It would be great for UP tourism, although it is so beautiful in northern lower Michigan amandabeech Feb 2013 #178

one or two rail lines would not really impact that expanse of wilderness Motown_Johnny Feb 2013 #180

What I wanted to say was that the area is so beautiful that passengers might want the amandabeech Feb 2013 #182

There have been 3000 signatures since midnight tavalon Feb 2013 #66

Okay - as a professional transportation planner, let me say this map is misleading. brooklynite Feb 2013 #67

This is a great idea... 1620rock Feb 2013 #69

Intercity Bus and Rail Ridership Up as Car and Air Travel Remains Flat FarCenter Feb 2013 #76

You should put a link to the White House petition in the OP. UnrepentantLiberal Feb 2013 #72

Regional high speed rail MIGHT be possible but it'll never replace cross country transportation... cbdo2007 Feb 2013 #73

Who would want to go to Cleveland anyway? Fuddnik Feb 2013 #77

me, family lives there nadinbrzezinski Feb 2013 #91

This is all cool in theory, but SmittynMo Feb 2013 #79

How much would it cost? A LOT less than the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, and Lydia Leftcoast Feb 2013 #112

Wow, I was just showing that map to a professor friend, and here it is on DU! NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #80

Looks like they ran a line through Louisville! Bake Feb 2013 #81

Wonderful idea. oldandhappy Feb 2013 #101

I would so much rather take the train than fly Hamlette Feb 2013 #104

See that lonely line from El Paso to southern Wyoming? Warpy Feb 2013 #106

Would Love this! But, I would also love to have BUSES running in my area! DearHeart Feb 2013 #110

Ah. Rail travel. Excellent. Buzz Clik Feb 2013 #114

The rail link east of Pittsburgh is about to be shut down JPZenger Feb 2013 #115

Philadelphia to Washington DC, then to Chicago via Pittsburgh JVS Feb 2013 #136

The trip Philly to Chicago is not changed much.... kooljerk666 Feb 2013 #151

That would be so awesome Marrah_G Feb 2013 #119

Gotta also have a direct zentrum Feb 2013 #120

I'd like to see more focus on regional high speed rail ghurley Feb 2013 #121

"It can become a reality though, if you sign the official White House petition." NoPasaran Feb 2013 #123

Is Scott Walker's dead body under the part that goes through Wisconsin? undeterred Feb 2013 #125

A girl can dream.... PeaceNikki Feb 2013 #146

KICK patrice Feb 2013 #129

There is a HUGE GAP in this!!!!! citizen blues Feb 2013 #130

Nothing through my part of Virginia south, either. phylny Feb 2013 #143

I see pale gray lines on the map going through VA. beac Feb 2013 #152

Well, you are right! phylny Feb 2013 #181

It would. beac Feb 2013 #187

I would travel all over the damn place. Sigh. nt RedCappedBandit Feb 2013 #131

This will never happen because there isnt enough easy money in it rhett o rick Feb 2013 #132

That *would be* cool. Like the map, too. Kick, Rec. apocalypsehow Feb 2013 #133

Connect Kansas City to Denver and you got a deal. tridim Feb 2013 #135

done alfredo Feb 2013 #139

With the House still in a Republican majority, forget about it. We'd better get that .. YOHABLO Feb 2013 #141

Scott Walker killed the line from MKE to MSP...nt Evasporque Feb 2013 #145

K&R and signed the whitehouse.gov petition! beac Feb 2013 #149

Signed, that's an excellent idea life long demo Feb 2013 #153

I agree that the idea is both wonderful and essential, but I dislike the routing 1-Old-Man Feb 2013 #155

North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho and Montana left out....again. WeRQ4U Feb 2013 #157

Aren't those areas already heavily serviced by freight lines? 1-Old-Man Feb 2013 #162

That we don't already have this, speaks volumes to the power of the oil & auto industries. CrispyQ Feb 2013 #159

Kick! CrispyQ Feb 2013 #161

Anyone who complains that this is not possible or impractical, forfeits the right to ever complain.. Yavin4 Feb 2013 #168

I would be a regular on the Blue Line liberal N proud Feb 2013 #176

There will never be rail fast enough for most of those routes to make sense. Sen. Walter Sobchak Feb 2013 #184

Chicago could make a ton of money in this Hayabusa Feb 2013 #186

Petition still needs 63K+ signatures by March 7th! beac Feb 2013 #188

Petition still needs help! n/t beac Feb 2013 #190