Real Life Need For Speed

[Atari 5200 Guy]

I don't know how many train enthusiasts we have on these forums, but Japan has developed a very interesting train system. 500 km/h or 311 MPH.

 

 

There have been talks about using this train system in the USA. Wikipedia has more info on this new transportation technology.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_maglev_train_proposals

 

All I can say is ... Amazing!

[DegasElite]

Well, it would certainly revolutionize train travel in the US. We need higher speed rail. They have it in Europe, Japan, and China, of course. Why not the US? Re-tooling the US rail system would be expensive, granted, but it would create needed jobs, needed improvements to the infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion (at least theoretically), and, if they are electric, theoretically would also reduce pollution. In my opinion, anyway. But, it definitely would create jobs. The US rail system is over 100 years old. It needs an upgrade. At least, that is what I believe. In Minnesota, there is talk of a high-speed rail system coming up called the Northern Lights Express (NLX). It would go from Saint Paul, MN to Duluth, MN (the state's third-largest city), and then up to Two Harbors, MN. The train could go up to speeds of 120 MPH. I understand that the train system in Japan is going to be much faster. but, a bullet-like train in Minnesota? I am game, since I live near Saint Paul anyway. I would ride it, if and when it gets built. Thanks for letting me share.

[RickR]

There's similar talk of a fast train system between Vancouver, BC Canada and Sacramento, CA USA, with stops in Portland and Seattle.  The big problems are the cost, and the coordination/cooperation between several different states and countries.