Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail

[yureeka9]

The reason we don’t have high speed rails is not because of ‘politics’, it’s because the government would have to take all the land around the rails and destroy all the housing/farms on it.

It would cost billions of dollars.

In China they basically take the land and give the finger and a few pennies to the owner.

Anyone that has taken trains across states realize just how many homes are right next to the train tracks. All those homes, and those in the surrounding areas would have to be destroyed.

Given how our population expects some fairness out of government, it’s not possible.

This isn't true. The infrastructure is already in place. This country has been connected by rails for almost 200 years. High speed trains wouldn't be a land grab. It would just be a huge upgrade/enhancement project. And before you tell me how wrong I am, I work for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

 

[HellBoy]

This isn't true. The infrastructure is already in place. This country has been connected by rails for almost 200 years. High speed trains wouldn't be a land grab. It would just be a huge upgrade/enhancement project. And before you tell me how wrong I am, I work for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

According the video, in the case of Brightline (now Virgin), upgrading the rails isn't enough. For true High Speed, they'd need to build an entirely new dedicated platform for the trains to ride on. I'd propose running it along I-95 on the east coast. Eminent domain as needed.

 

[yureeka9]

According the video, in the case of Brightline (now Virgin), upgrading the rails isn't enough. For true High Speed, they'd need to build an entirely new dedicated platform for the trains to ride on. I'd propose running it along I-95 on the east coast. Eminent domain as needed.

Agreed. Integrating a high speed rail with the existing interstate system would be the best way to go. Efficient routes already in place. No need to acquire right of way from private citizens. Familiar layout. Local economic stimulation.

 

[HellBoy]

Agreed. Integrating a high speed rail with the existing interstate system would be the best way to go. Efficient routes already in place. No need to acquire right of way from private citizens. Familiar layout. Local economic stimulation.

I've been following Brightline since their inception. The hoops they had to jump through for the leg from Palm Beach to Orlando was insane. They purchased land that runs along highway 528 in Orlando for the final leg. I can't wait for this to be active. The connection terminal at Orlando Intl Airport has been done for about a year now.

My family and I rode their train from Miami to Palm Beach round trip one weekend. Kids loved it. Clean, free wifi and snacks. LOL

For those would like to know more about this "faster" train service serving Miami, read up on my favorite Miami developments site - https://www.thenextmiami.com/?s=brightline

 

[yureeka9]

I've been following Brightline since their inception. The hoops they had to jump through for the leg from Palm Beach to Orlando was insane. They purchased land that runs along highway 528 in Orlando for the final leg. I can't wait for this to be active. The connection terminal at Orlando Intl Airport has been done for about a year now.

My family and I rode their train from Miami to Palm Beach round trip one weekend. Kids loved it. Clean, free wifi and snacks. LOL

For those would like to know more about this "faster" train service serving Miami, read up on my favorite Miami developments site - https://www.thenextmiami.com/?s=brightline

This is a private venture right?

 

[HellBoy]

This is a private venture right?

Yeap. Their train stations in downtown Miami double as eateries and office towers too. Real nice buildings.

 

[yureeka9]

Yeap. Their train stations in downtown Miami double as eateries and office towers too. Real nice buildings.

Hmmmm...what do you think about these private ventures all over the country? Do you think a lack of uniform execution and oversight would be a problem if this thing was scaled up nationally? I think what you guys have is fine at the sub-regional level but I imagine if private train networks were implemented everywhere the FRA would have to become as active in the system as the FAA is at airports to keep it from coming off the rails (no pun intended).

 

[chops]

My older brother worked on Obama's first campaign and then took a high profile job with the Department of Transportation. One of his projects was working on a high speed rail for the midwest. Chicago to St Louis I believe. He said that was the one program that kept him up at night and almost drove him to start drinking.... lol America was made to be a slow moving government with lots of red tape, keeps the current machine in place and running. Change is CRAZY difficult if not damn near impossible.

 

[HellBoy]

Hmmmm...what do you think about these private ventures all over the country? Do you think a lack of uniform execution and oversight would be a problem if this thing was scaled up nationally? I think what you guys have is fine at the sub-regional level but I imagine if private train networks were implemented everywhere the FRA would have to become as active in the system as the FAA is at airports to keep it from coming off the rails (no pun intended).

Regional lines would support local economies, so it may work. I mean, its a start. If successful, I'm sure other entities (and states) would follow suit. If not national, I don't see why the FRA would be involved. State level regulations would definitely be needed.

 

[yureeka9]

Regional lines would support local economies, so it may work. I mean, its a start. If successful, I'm sure other entities (and states) would follow suit. If not national, I don't see why the FRA would be involved. State level regulations would definitely be needed.

Do you work in transportation? You seem to know a lot about this shit!

 

[HellBoy]

Do you work in transportation? You seem to know a lot about this shit!

LOL, not at all. I just follow several technologies I'd work on if I had the capital to do so.

 

[HellBoy]

Construction is now underway on the Brightline/Virgin Trains Miami to Orlando rail line, with newly manufactured rail line now being delivered.

Service between Miami and Orlando is planned to begin in 2022.

Four zones are included in the project. Work already began at two zones in and around Orlando International Airport.

Another two zones, including upgrades of existing tracks from West Palm Beach to Cocoa and laying new tracks from Cocoa to Orlando will begin imminently.

Five contractors have been named for the project. They are Hubbard Construction Company, Wharton-Smith Inc., The Middlesex Corporation, Granite and HSR Constructors.

https://www.thenextmiami.com/first-...ine-as-virgin-trains-targets-2022-completion/

 

[Mo-Better]

Politicians trying to get their cut of the pie is the major reason. Resulting in the piss poor conditions of our railways today. Our trains are outdated by decades. I can't even vouch for them saying rail travel is safer than air travel and planes fly.

The trains in Japan don't even run on wheels. Imagine seeing something like that here. It'll cost billions to upgrade. Maybe it can be built if Trump wasn't so focused on (his legacy) "his wall" 17th century technology.

 

[rude_dog]

I don't think we're capable of building infrastructure for the masses anymore. There's no political will. If the 1% as access to private jets and private airports, what's the point of high speed trains?

 

[Dr. Truth]

Republikkklans called the idea stupid and wasteful so they scrapped it here. We’re supposed to have a bullet train from San Francisco to LA but all the right wingers complained. Americans are just dumb. Meanwhile Japan has them everywhere and all of Asia has Internet 100 times faster than here also cheaper.

 

[forcesteeler]

Republikkklans called the idea stupid and wasteful so they scrapped it here. We’re supposed to have a bullet train from San Francisco to LA but all the right wingers complained. Americans are just dumb. Meanwhile Japan has them everywhere and all of Asia has Internet 100 times faster than here also cheaper.

We spend all money on wars and tax cuts for the rich. Who the fuck has time to built a high speed rail?

Plus Americans are dumb, all republicans have to do is say it’s government waste and democrat socialist aka Tax and Spend liberals. The liberals love raising your taxes and spend it on government programs.

Those Rednecks will agree and eat that shut up.

 

[Mrfreddygoodbud]

see how the wealthy could weasel out of every situation,

just another example of how the wealthy are the ones holdin back this country...

they are too busy pimpin profits to give a fuck about infrastructure and america unless it can be pimped for profit.. to hell with it..

the true enemies of america but we are too divided as a nation to see it

 

[PDQ21]

It's congested everywhere in the northeast would be nice to have a better high speed train system

 

[p5ych3]

Fuck a high speed rail. Where are our flying cars!?!?!?!

 

[Dannyblueyes]

I think it has more to do with history than anything.

Most American cities reached their peak during the age of the automobile at a time when fuel was cheap. Nobody considered the environmental impact. And nobody considered that the United States could double in population over the next 70 years. Our massive highway system was built in part because the government wanted to be able to mobilize troops quickly in case of a nuclear attack.

looking back we can see how wrong those decisions were, but how do you tell that to the millions of families that sunk their life savings into a house in the suburbs and a car note they can barely afford?

Japan never had that problem because they started their massive train building efforts during a time when the economy was ruined and fuel was scarce. People couldn't afford cars in the first place so instead it made more sense to build trains.

same thing happened in China, although it's worth mentioning that the Chinese are a bunch of fascist assholes who realize that they could restrict people's freedom of movement more with public transportation then with everybody in a car.

Most European cities came of age before cars were even invented. Their High-Speed rail systems are just upgrades on their existing infrastructures.

 

[Mrfreddygoodbud]

I think it has more to do with history than anything.

Most American cities reached their peak during the age of the automobile at a time when fuel was cheap. Nobody considered the environmental impact. And nobody considered that the United States could double in population over the next 70 years. Our massive highway system was built in part because the government wanted to be able to mobilize troops quickly in case of a nuclear attack.

looking back we can see how wrong those decisions were, but how do you tell that to the millions of families that sunk their life savings into a house in the suburbs and a car note they can barely afford?

Japan never had that problem because they started their massive train building efforts during a time when the economy was ruined and fuel was scarce. People couldn't afford cars in the first place so instead it made more sense to build trains.

same thing happened in China, although it's worth mentioning that the Chinese are a bunch of fascist assholes who realize that they could restrict people's freedom of movement more with public transportation then with everybody in a car.

Most European cities came of age before cars were even invented. Their High-Speed rail systems are just upgrades on their existing infrastructures.

nah its the super wealthy they want everybody gassed up

on this go america usa usa usa bullshit meanwhile they buying and selling everything off, they dont give a fuck about moving into the 21 century which is why its guys like
musk in the private industry coming out the woodwork...

and shitting all over the standard way of doing things, its the old money that is not ready for change..

thats why shit like crypto has them shitting bricks, they claim they want a new world order, truth is they just want more control of the same ol order

and that gluttony is what is holding america back, places like singapore makes america look like its going back to the horse and pony days...

 

[mangobob79]

the black tried it and the white floridian skelletor gutted it ! but hey ! both sides!

 

[ansatsusha_gouki]

Just skip to 2:30 mark,the guy there explained it nicely...

 

[tpotda]

What about Germany and the Autobahn they have then?

I think it has more to do with history than anything.

Most American cities reached their peak during the age of the automobile at a time when fuel was cheap. Nobody considered the environmental impact. And nobody considered that the United States could double in population over the next 70 years. Our massive highway system was built in part because the government wanted to be able to mobilize troops quickly in case of a nuclear attack.

looking back we can see how wrong those decisions were, but how do you tell that to the millions of families that sunk their life savings into a house in the suburbs and a car note they can barely afford?

Japan never had that problem because they started their massive train building efforts during a time when the economy was ruined and fuel was scarce. People couldn't afford cars in the first place so instead it made more sense to build trains.

same thing happened in China, although it's worth mentioning that the Chinese are a bunch of fascist assholes who realize that they could restrict people's freedom of movement more with public transportation then with everybody in a car.

Most European cities came of age before cars were even invented. Their High-Speed rail systems are just upgrades on their existing infrastructures.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

What about Germany and the Autobahn they have then?

They also have one of the best high speed rail lines in the world.

nah its the super wealthy they want everybody gassed up

on this go america usa usa usa bullshit meanwhile they buying and selling everything off, they dont give a fuck about moving into the 21 century which is why its guys like
musk in the private industry coming out the woodwork...

and shitting all over the standard way of doing things, its the old money that is not ready for change..

thats why shit like crypto has them shitting bricks, they claim they want a new world order, truth is they just want more control of the same ol order

and that gluttony is what is holding america back, places like singapore makes america look like its going back to the horse and pony days...

IMO It's more because the USA is the 3rd largest country in the world and Singapore is a tiny city state. Smaller countries with fewer people can adapt more quickly than larger ones even if there's less money to do it with.

 

[HellBoy]

https://www.bgol.us/forum/threads/why-the-us-has-no-high-speed-rail.1049482/

 

[Mrfreddygoodbud]

They also have one of the best high speed rail lines in the world.



IMO It's more because the USA is the 3rd largest country in the world and Singapore is a tiny city state. Smaller countries with fewer people can adapt more quickly than larger ones even if there's less money to do it with.

hogwash,

singapore is filled with big money and that big money invest in itself....way more than the big money in this whore we call amerikkka..

singapores airport shits on every airport in the u.s...

there is gluttony all over the world, just much less of it in places like singapore..

 

[Dannyblueyes]

hogwash,

singapore is filled with big money and that big money invest in itself....way more than the big money in this whore we call amerikkka..

singapores airport shits on every airport in the u.s...

there is gluttony all over the world, just much less of it in places like singapore..

If you want to talk about investment the lax-sfo route is the most widely use flight path in the United States. If it were replaced by an express high-speed rail line the trip would be faster and cheaper for people to make, especially when you account for security checks and planes delayed by bad weather. Whoever runs this line would make money hand over fist.

For that matter, a high-speed rail line with stops along the way that would make even more money. Not for the train itself, but for the real estate developers in the Central Valley. Imagine if you own an apartment building or an office park in Fresno and all of a sudden somebody comes along with the form of transportation that could take your residents to San Jose and under 30 minutes. you could easily double or triple your rent overnight and still provide a bargain for all the Silicon Valley hopefuls banging at your door with applications.

The proposed train line is a huge opportunity that could make California look like the Eastern seaboard and less than a century. So no, I don't think it's delayed by a lack of money or fear of change

 

[Mrfreddygoodbud]

If you want to talk about investment the lax-sfo route is the most widely use flight path in the United States. If it were replaced by an express high-speed rail line the trip would be faster and cheaper for people to make, especially when you account for security checks and planes delayed by bad weather. Whoever runs this line would make money hand over fist.

For that matter, a high-speed rail line with stops along the way that would make even more money. Not for the train itself, but for the real estate developers in the Central Valley. Imagine if you own an apartment building or an office park in Fresno and all of a sudden somebody comes along with the form of transportation that could take your residents to San Jose and under 30 minutes. you could easily double or triple your rent overnight and still provide a bargain for all the Silicon Valley hopefuls banging at your door with applications.

The proposed train line is a huge opportunity that could make California look like the Eastern seaboard and less than a century. So no, I don't think it's delayed by a lack of money or fear of change

uh this one is a no brainer...

its gluttony in its finest form

when you blow away the smoke

all you will see is

everybody with their fuckin hand out wanting a piece of the pie...

 

[bham_brotha]

You truly dont realize how shitty it is until you visit Europe or Asia and then look at the fact that the only option that we have is shitty ass Amtrak. It's all about lobbying in the US though. As long as the airlines make far more money and are able to lobby to keep high speed rail out, that's the way it'll be.Even though it's not considered high speed, some states like Florida are building their own city to city rail.

https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/travel-ideas/brightline-rail-service-south-florida.html

When they're done with this it'll likely connect all of the major cities in Florida. Have stations that connect to local city transit and you have yourself a nice transit system. Airports, train stations, bus stations, commuter rail and light rail all connected. Wish the people running the state of Georgia weren't as ass backwards as they are when it comes to things like this. We can't even get a damn decent rail system for Atlanta.

 

[PDQ21]

I'm from Jersey City once they built the Light Rail going thru the city we already knew the rent was gonna go up

That shit skyrocketed

I moved to the burbs shortly after so.....never affected me

This alot different but it's a great thing

 

[HellBoy]

Progress made in 2019 for California's high speed rail

 

[ronmch20]

It's not happening because of profit, or the lack thereof, and a Congress that couldn't care less.

 

[rude_dog]

My older brother worked on Obama's first campaign and then took a high profile job with the Department of Transportation. One of his projects was working on a high speed rail for the midwest. Chicago to St Louis I believe. He said that was the one program that kept him up at night and almost drove him to start drinking.... lol America was made to be a slow moving government with lots of red tape, keeps the current machine in place and running. Change is CRAZY difficult if not damn near impossible.

I don't think America is capable of any large projects like this anymore. Another by-product of racism. The current pandemic has pulled back the silk curtains and exposed the decaying facade. When we admitted we weren't able to ramp up construction and manufacturing like China did in combating COVID-19 should be a wake up call for the nation but it won't. It hurts to hear that we're no longer capable of doing things. America is like the guy at the guy who only works his biceps.

"Vetocracy is a dysfunctional variant of the imperiled political system of checks and balances, when the executive branch and the legislature fail to reach basic policy consensus, and the governing group as a whole sees their shared rationality and will to cooperate unravel. "

 

[Kaotic]

If they did build it here, you couldn't pay me to ride that shit.... The government will use the cheapest private contractor they can find to build the infrastructure that passengers would traverse, while in a vehicle traveling at 200+ MPH... Nuff said.