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Snake Alchemist

(3,318 posts) Sat Apr 28, 2012, 08:25 AM Apr 2012

I just can't get excited about High Speed Rail in the US. [View all]

I've ridden high speed rail in Europe and Japan and it was amazing. Talk about a comfortable way to travel. One thing I will say is it was not cheap though. A ticket from Tokyo to Hiroshima is comparable to a plane ticket in price. Oddly enough it is cheaper for tourists if you have a rail pass.

What I absolutely loved about HSR was the convenience. You showed up at the station, bought your ticket, walked to the train platform, stepped in your car, and you were off. No security, no pat-downs, no interrogation, no seemingly endless lines of people waiting and arguing. And the best part was the trains were ALWAYS on time to the minute. A delay would have been unheard of.

I have no doubt that the US would ruin everything good about HSR with TSA gropers, xray devices, long delays, etc so I can never get too excited about the prospect of HSR in the US.

25 replies

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I just can't get excited about High Speed Rail in the US. [View all] Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 OP

So, there's just no reason to even try... Keep all those individual cars trudging glowing Apr 2012 #1

The Tampa to Orlando line was one of the stupidest ideas I have ever heard. Nye Bevan Apr 2012 #3

The Tampa to Orlando line was to be the start of a much larger network Not Me Apr 2012 #4

In FL it makes a lot of sense tabbycat31 Apr 2012 #5

Gramps isn't going to take a taxi to the train station, buy a high-speed rail ticket, Nye Bevan Apr 2012 #23

HSR is something that should be done for jobs and the environment. libtodeath Apr 2012 #2

+1, and just because we're 40 years late Ron Green Apr 2012 #7

I'll second that derby378 Apr 2012 #25

It depends on the route mainer Apr 2012 #6

Well when all is said and done, it is a pipe dream for us to think we will get anything like it at Safetykitten Apr 2012 #8

america should demand it. spanone Apr 2012 #9

Would it matter if America demanded it?........ socialist_n_TN Apr 2012 #14

Don't worry BeyondGeography Apr 2012 #10

I was hoping for HSR rail along/nearby highway 41 in Wisconsin Nikia Apr 2012 #11

They should implement HSR in the Boston Washington corridor first FarCenter Apr 2012 #12

And then the Texas Triangle... Comrade Grumpy Apr 2012 #18

Dallas to San Antonio may make sense -- there are small metros between them. FarCenter Apr 2012 #19

Yes, please: Raleigh! WorseBeforeBetter Apr 2012 #24

I guess we will see L.A to Las Vegas before there is a AsahinaKimi Apr 2012 #13

You've obviously never taken Amtrak across country prior to the recession. shcrane71 Apr 2012 #15

We can dream LASlibinSC Apr 2012 #16

How possible is it to do this without the Federal Govt., do we think? Volaris Apr 2012 #17

The problem is the lack of population centers between Jacksonville and Atlanta or Charlotte FarCenter Apr 2012 #20

I see two main problems with that 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #21

Maybe this will generate some excitement waddirum Apr 2012 #22