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Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail
- Thread starter GAMETHEORY
- Start date
Brightline West prepares for construction near I-15, south Las Vegas Valley
By Justin Walker
Aug. 25, 2025
www.fox5vegas.com
As work progresses on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which aims to link Las Vegas to Southern California, workers are preparing for physical construction to begin.
That work includes testing soil and rock, checking underground utilities, and mapping and measuring the land.
The work will occur near Interstate 15, south of St. Rose Parkway near the St. Rose Parkway northern off-ramp, and will take place between Aug. 24 and 29. Workers will be on site mostly during the day, but some work will occur at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. to avoid traffic disruption.
Freeway shoulder closures are expected in the short term at some locations. Drivers are asked to slow down, watch for signs and follow detours if needed.
By Justin Walker
Aug. 25, 2025
Brightline West prepares for construction near I-15, south Las Vegas Valley
As work progresses on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which aims to link Las Vegas to Southern California, workers are preparing for physical construction to begin.
As work progresses on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which aims to link Las Vegas to Southern California, workers are preparing for physical construction to begin.
That work includes testing soil and rock, checking underground utilities, and mapping and measuring the land.
The work will occur near Interstate 15, south of St. Rose Parkway near the St. Rose Parkway northern off-ramp, and will take place between Aug. 24 and 29. Workers will be on site mostly during the day, but some work will occur at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. to avoid traffic disruption.
Freeway shoulder closures are expected in the short term at some locations. Drivers are asked to slow down, watch for signs and follow detours if needed.
Brightline West prepares for construction near I-15, south Las Vegas Valley
By Justin Walker
Aug. 25, 2025
Brightline West prepares for construction near I-15, south Las Vegas Valley
As work progresses on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which aims to link Las Vegas to Southern California, workers are preparing for physical construction to begin.
As work progresses on the Brightline West high-speed rail project, which aims to link Las Vegas to Southern California, workers are preparing for physical construction to begin.
That work includes testing soil and rock, checking underground utilities, and mapping and measuring the land.
The work will occur near Interstate 15, south of St. Rose Parkway near the St. Rose Parkway northern off-ramp, and will take place between Aug. 24 and 29. Workers will be on site mostly during the day, but some work will occur at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. to avoid traffic disruption.
Freeway shoulder closures are expected in the short term at some locations. Drivers are asked to slow down, watch for signs and follow detours if needed.
This will be a game changer. Allowing folks in Los Angeles to commute to work without paying LA rents or California taxes. Housing prices will finally drop.
A lot of those industries will come to Nevada too. Especially the film industry.
The Bay area and Central Valley could have had those benefits too if they had their shit together. Instead we have a high speed station under San Francisco abandoned for half a decade. Most don't even know it's there.
IMO this is one of our countries biggest problems.
America has the highest per capita income in the world, but most of it is wasted because were expected to spend $10,000 a year on these damn cars.
So our cities demolish tax generating businesses to put up parking lots and wonder why they're broke. We widen streets for more traffic and parking and wonder why there's a housing shortage. We fight expensive wars over oil and wonder why we don't have money for schools and hospitals.
We blame the government for cutting programs. Blame corporations for not paying enough. Because if it wasn't for them we could afford gas to go to the grocery store, work, or drop the kids off at school.
Meanwhile the rest of the world has figured out how to do these things without vehicles.
That's how they can live good lives off of 1/3 to 1/2 of what we make.
When the Vegas/Cali part is completed.
There are plans to extend to SLC, UT.
They want that part to be completed before the 2032 SLC Olympic Games.
Good!
Now we need this SF to LA train finished yesterday! It would cut the country's need for air travel in half.
I've been to China since I first posted on this topic. I gotta say, our passenger rail is complete bullshit compared to Europe and Asia. I'm talkin about, you could leave the hotel, walk a couple of blocks and there was a subway station. Go anywhere in the city. Then, the subway was connected to regional rail where you could travel between large cities and what we would consider to be the suburbs.
If that wasn't good enough and you needed to go further, both the subway and the regional rail connected to the high speed trains that could take you to the other side of the country. They had over 30,000 miles of real high speed rail and they take pride in that shit. 200+ mph and so smooth I could sit a cup filled to the brim on the tray and the liquid inside of it didn't even move.
The train stations are like being in an art museum or some shit. Better designs than most of our airports even. I went with our company and we were in a city called Chongqing. At night, one of the most beautiful skylines I've ever seen. All of the skyscrapers are linked together with lights so the whole damn skyline is a coordinated light show.
I don't think I've ever felt as safe as I did over there. No shootings, no robberies, no car jackings. The laws are strict as fuck but it was also cheap as fuck. In the mornings, I could get a big ass breakfast for like $3. Not gonna lie, if Asia wasn't so anti weed I would have some serious ass thoughts about moving over there. I didn't have to spend much and everything is interconnected without the necessity of a car. And their cities are big as FUCK. That city had over 30 million people but it didn't feel congested at all because their transit is so good.
If that wasn't good enough and you needed to go further, both the subway and the regional rail connected to the high speed trains that could take you to the other side of the country. They had over 30,000 miles of real high speed rail and they take pride in that shit. 200+ mph and so smooth I could sit a cup filled to the brim on the tray and the liquid inside of it didn't even move.
The train stations are like being in an art museum or some shit. Better designs than most of our airports even. I went with our company and we were in a city called Chongqing. At night, one of the most beautiful skylines I've ever seen. All of the skyscrapers are linked together with lights so the whole damn skyline is a coordinated light show.
I don't think I've ever felt as safe as I did over there. No shootings, no robberies, no car jackings. The laws are strict as fuck but it was also cheap as fuck. In the mornings, I could get a big ass breakfast for like $3. Not gonna lie, if Asia wasn't so anti weed I would have some serious ass thoughts about moving over there. I didn't have to spend much and everything is interconnected without the necessity of a car. And their cities are big as FUCK. That city had over 30 million people but it didn't feel congested at all because their transit is so good.
US Close to High-Speed Rail Breakthrough
At present there aren't any high-speed rail networks—defined by the International Union of Railways (UIC) as operating at a minimum of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) along specially built tracks—that are operational in the U.S. This compares unfavorably with the likes of Spain, Japan and France, which have around 2,460 miles, 1,830 miles and 1,740 miles of track respectively currently in use.
By James Bickerton
June 7, 2025
www.newsweek.com
Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted the first high-speed rail line in the U.S. will be "wildly popular."
At present there aren't any high-speed rail networks—defined by the International Union of Railways (UIC) as operating at a minimum of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) along specially built tracks—that are operational in the U.S. This compares unfavorably with the likes of Spain, Japan and France, which have around 2,460 miles, 1,830 miles and 1,740 miles of track respectively currently in use.
By James Bickerton
June 7, 2025
US close to high-speed rail breakthrough
The U.S. doesn't currently have any operating high-speed rail lines.
www.newsweek.com
Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted the first high-speed rail line in the U.S. will be "wildly popular."
India's First Bullet Train Reaches Major Milestone
India's Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project reached a major breakthrough after completing more than 300 kilometers of viaducts were completed.
By Theo Burman
June 6, 2025
www.newsweek.com
…The MAHSR bullet train is India's largest transportation infrastructure project and would reduce travel time from up to seven hours to just two hours between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, two of the most important cities in the Indian economy. India's success in high-speed rail, if completed, could indicate increasing competitiveness and adoption of green mobility in large emerging economies.…
A "shinkansen" E5 series, or high speed bullet train, which will be used on the Indian rail network, is pictured at Tokyo Station in Tokyo on October 22, 2020.
India's Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project reached a major breakthrough after completing more than 300 kilometers of viaducts were completed.
By Theo Burman
June 6, 2025
India's first bullet train reaches major milestone
The MAHSR corridor will connect two of India's most important cities once completed.
www.newsweek.com
…The MAHSR bullet train is India's largest transportation infrastructure project and would reduce travel time from up to seven hours to just two hours between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, two of the most important cities in the Indian economy. India's success in high-speed rail, if completed, could indicate increasing competitiveness and adoption of green mobility in large emerging economies.…
A "shinkansen" E5 series, or high speed bullet train, which will be used on the Indian rail network, is pictured at Tokyo Station in Tokyo on October 22, 2020.
Transportation Secretary Freezes Funding for High-Speed Rail
The Transportation Secretary gave California rail officials 30 days to present a new plan or lose $4 billion in federal funding, following years of delays and mismanagement.
Railway Supply
June 10, 2025
Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Drew Feeley
The Transportation Secretary gave California rail officials 30 days to present a new plan or lose $4 billion in federal funding, following years of delays and mismanagement.
Railway Supply
June 10, 2025
Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Drew Feeley
US Close to High-Speed Rail Breakthrough
At present there aren't any high-speed rail networks—defined by the International Union of Railways (UIC) as operating at a minimum of 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles per hour) along specially built tracks—that are operational in the U.S. This compares unfavorably with the likes of Spain, Japan and France, which have around 2,460 miles, 1,830 miles and 1,740 miles of track respectively currently in use.
By James Bickerton
June 7, 2025
US close to high-speed rail breakthrough
The U.S. doesn't currently have any operating high-speed rail lines.
Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted the first high-speed rail line in the U.S. will be "wildly popular."
Skeptical
Without full governmental $$$upport, regulation and enforcement, we'll never truly have high speed rail or come close to whats already widely available in other countries.
Also, having one administration support it for X years, it barely breaks ground and then a new administration comes in and shelves it..... (wether nationwide or statewide, like Ohio)
Part of the problem is also that auto, airline and metro transit lobbyist fight so hard against high speed rail.
You don't need to rip up old lines, current trains aren't compatible with HS rails and HS trains aren't compatible with current rails. The best HS systems are in cities that built completely new rail lines that avoid traffic, either above current roadways or completely away from them.
Yes there will be some inconvenience to the public, but other countries have gotten roadwork, rail line laying down to a fucking T...... its disgusting to see that these mfkrs will set up a temporary highway bridge 2 to 4 lanes wide so that they can do actual roadwork and not inconvenience the public..... no 2 - 3 lane closures for weeks/months......
We've got shit ass backwards in a lot of ways
SF has a high speed rail station already built in the basement of the Salesforce Transit Center so I don't think metro transit is the problem. If anything HSR encourages people to use public transit even more because it's a seamless transition.
As for the auto industry, Japan and South Korea are auto manufacturing giants but also have some of the best public and high-speed rail transit in the world.
I Believe the real problem for America is a lack of political willpower and a desire to stretch people beyond their means. It's not just the auto industry, It's the oil industry, personal finance industry, in a million other vultures that succeed off our poverty.
Read about the toll outage in Japan. Our country is just garbage!
So the way we're setup the old rails are all around higher populated areas. Putting up a whole new infrastructure, where would that go IN these higher populated areas? Other countries were able to do it because they built up other cities that didn't have anything. A city of 1500 becomes a city of 20000 overnight when you start putting infrastructure to it. Putting a High Speed rail in downtown Chicago...where would that go? They already got two train stations down here, you're gonna put a third up? Does New York have the room? You can make the argument that you can make the room. Tear shyt down that isn't in use, but then comes the cost. It is cheaper for the lobbyist you mentioned to pay politicians NOT to help it. Versus the money it would take or that they would lose if High Speed Rail came to this country.
Are you comparing the US auto industry to those of Japan and S. Korea?
The US auto industry repeatedly acts in their best interest and against the interests of the public and society in whole.
The us auto industry created the modern electric car and then shelved it. They created rapid charging technology and the new batteries needed for it. Neither of which is available in US EV vehicles, yet the Chinese and S Korean people are seeing their advantages.
I would tie HSR and Electrical Grid upgrades into a new infrastructure and modernization bill.
I don't have all the financials worked out, but AI companies, data center owner/operators, possibly car companies and etc will have to pay an added tax towards infrastructure upgrades.
A newer grid would benefit everyone and would allow energy to be more cost effective and efficient for all parties.
China Moves Forward on Next-Generation High-Speed Rail
China operates the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, with more than 24,855 miles of operational lines, according to a 2023 report from the International Union of Railways. The arrival of the CR450 could further enhance the country's reputation as the world leader in high-speed rail technology, promising faster, safer, and more energy-efficient transportation options. China alone accounts for nearly double the combined length of the rest of the world's high-speed rail systems.
By Theo Burman
Jun 13, 2025
www.newsweek.com
The CR450AF bullet train in Beijing on December 29, 2024
China operates the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, with more than 24,855 miles of operational lines, according to a 2023 report from the International Union of Railways. The arrival of the CR450 could further enhance the country's reputation as the world leader in high-speed rail technology, promising faster, safer, and more energy-efficient transportation options. China alone accounts for nearly double the combined length of the rest of the world's high-speed rail systems.
By Theo Burman
Jun 13, 2025
China moves forward on next-generation high-speed rail
Testing on the CR450 prototype began today in the Hubei province of central China.
www.newsweek.com
The CR450AF bullet train in Beijing on December 29, 2024
Video Shows Alternative High Speed Rail Concept for US
HSR America proposes using tracks suspended above street level along existing roads and railways, with maglev-based transport pods rather than traditional trains.
By Theo Burman
June 29, 2025
Video shows alternative high speed rail concept for US
The technology uses autonomous capsules on a suspended maglev circuit to transport both people and cargo.
www.newsweek.com
A rendering of a potential high-speed rail system suspended alongside a road.
Coast-to-Coast High-Speed Rail Route Proposed Between Los Angeles and New York
AmeriStarRail, a startup specializing in high-speed and intermodal passenger rail, pitched a partnership with Amtrak to launch the "Transcontinental Chief," a high-speed rail route that would run between Los Angeles and New York in under 72 hours.
By Theo Burman
July 2, 2025
www.newsweek.com
A map of the proposed coast-to-coast high-speed rail route from New York to Los Angeles.
AmeriStarRail, a startup specializing in high-speed and intermodal passenger rail, pitched a partnership with Amtrak to launch the "Transcontinental Chief," a high-speed rail route that would run between Los Angeles and New York in under 72 hours.
By Theo Burman
July 2, 2025
High-Speed rail route proposed between Los Angeles and New York
The route, pitched by AmeriStarRail, would see Amtrak team up with private investors.
www.newsweek.com
A map of the proposed coast-to-coast high-speed rail route from New York to Los Angeles.
Amtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
Tom Sanders
Aug. 28 2025
www.thedailybeast.com
Amtrak’s brand new, state-of-the-art high-speed trains officially launched, but there’s a catch—they don’t actually run any faster than the old ones yet. Two of the five next-generation Acela trains deployed on the Washington-Boston corridor will actually run slower than the older models for the foreseeable future.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the new trains will take at least seven hours and five minutes to complete the trip, which is around 10 minutes slower than the current journey time. Amtrak has blamed the corridor’s aging tracks, power systems, and signals for preventing the new models from safely reaching their top speed of 160 mph, highlighting a disparity between American railways and the modern, high-speed tracks found in Europe and Asia.
The company has since stated that schedules will be adjusted based on real-world performance and that future infrastructure upgrades are planned to help the new trains reach their full potential. Amtrak plans to add 28 new trains to its fleet over the next two years as part of a $2.45 billion investment project.
Tom Sanders
Aug. 28 2025
Amtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
It will take longer to travel from Washington to Boston in the new trains than in the old ones.
Amtrak’s brand new, state-of-the-art high-speed trains officially launched, but there’s a catch—they don’t actually run any faster than the old ones yet. Two of the five next-generation Acela trains deployed on the Washington-Boston corridor will actually run slower than the older models for the foreseeable future.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the new trains will take at least seven hours and five minutes to complete the trip, which is around 10 minutes slower than the current journey time. Amtrak has blamed the corridor’s aging tracks, power systems, and signals for preventing the new models from safely reaching their top speed of 160 mph, highlighting a disparity between American railways and the modern, high-speed tracks found in Europe and Asia.
The company has since stated that schedules will be adjusted based on real-world performance and that future infrastructure upgrades are planned to help the new trains reach their full potential. Amtrak plans to add 28 new trains to its fleet over the next two years as part of a $2.45 billion investment project.
SMHAmtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
Tom Sanders
Aug. 28 2025
Amtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
It will take longer to travel from Washington to Boston in the new trains than in the old ones.
Amtrak’s brand new, state-of-the-art high-speed trains officially launched, but there’s a catch—they don’t actually run any faster than the old ones yet. Two of the five next-generation Acela trains deployed on the Washington-Boston corridor will actually run slower than the older models for the foreseeable future.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the new trains will take at least seven hours and five minutes to complete the trip, which is around 10 minutes slower than the current journey time. Amtrak has blamed the corridor’s aging tracks, power systems, and signals for preventing the new models from safely reaching their top speed of 160 mph, highlighting a disparity between American railways and the modern, high-speed tracks found in Europe and Asia.
The company has since stated that schedules will be adjusted based on real-world performance and that future infrastructure upgrades are planned to help the new trains reach their full potential. Amtrak plans to add 28 new trains to its fleet over the next two years as part of a $2.45 billion investment project.
The vibrant future of US Trains....I can't wait!!!!!!!
We gonna be Ballin'!!!!!
We gonna be Ballin'!!!!!
Amtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
Tom Sanders
Aug. 28 2025
Amtrak Rolls Out New High-Speed Trains Running Slower Than the Old Ones
It will take longer to travel from Washington to Boston in the new trains than in the old ones.
Amtrak’s brand new, state-of-the-art high-speed trains officially launched, but there’s a catch—they don’t actually run any faster than the old ones yet. Two of the five next-generation Acela trains deployed on the Washington-Boston corridor will actually run slower than the older models for the foreseeable future.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the new trains will take at least seven hours and five minutes to complete the trip, which is around 10 minutes slower than the current journey time. Amtrak has blamed the corridor’s aging tracks, power systems, and signals for preventing the new models from safely reaching their top speed of 160 mph, highlighting a disparity between American railways and the modern, high-speed tracks found in Europe and Asia.
The company has since stated that schedules will be adjusted based on real-world performance and that future infrastructure upgrades are planned to help the new trains reach their full potential. Amtrak plans to add 28 new trains to its fleet over the next two years as part of a $2.45 billion investment project.
How is it a high speed rail when it's slower than the old ones.... It makes no sense at all...
They mind as well scrap this bullshit.
As,much I want to ride on a true high speed rail;I gave up a long time ago....This country will never get it's act together when it comes to this bullshit.
This should have been done in the 80's or 90's....
Most Americans see public transit like food stamps. A form of charity for the poor unfortunate souls who couldn't pull themselves up enough to buy a car.
Canada has about the same infrastructure, but when I moved from Vancouver to Oakland my bill was three times higher. In Canada power companies are run by the state. In Northern California it's run by a publicly traded monopoly. A company so corrupt it got a 1 hour special on American Greed.
I've never been to either country, but based on what I've read I doubt the automobile industry is any more benevolent in Japan or South Korea than it is in the United States. The difference is their government doesn't give them the same domestic leeway we give our automobile industry. They're essentially like the wife who says "do what you want outside but don't bring that shit home."
America has a model for that with the coal industry. We don't allow PETcoal to be burned anywhere in the country, but its one of our biggest exports. We need to apply that principle to cars as well.
They're not gonna be able to speed up the trains in the Northeast for one simple reason. The way the tracks were designed initially, there are far too many twists and turns in the tracks. Upgrading the rail alone isn't the problem. The problem is, when those rails were originally built, the routes were far too early to take high speed rail into consideration. And at this point, the Northeast is far too compact for them to be able to straighten the tracks out. They'd have to buy a ton of property around the tracks and 1) Many will refuse to sell 2) Amtrak wouldn't be able to afford it even if they did. Those HSR trains in China move in a straight line to their next destination, that's what allows them to be able to reach true high speed. Twisting between Boston, NYC and DC just isn't going to allow that.
.....
But number one in killing. We do not have the money to investigate anything, even weather we are passing on white lies mixed with truth.
The vibrant future of US Trains....I can't wait!!!!!!!
We gonna be Ballin'!!!!!
Even Thomas is thinking "y'all on some bullshit."
China To Build $500 Million South American Rail Line
The deal, awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), includes a 38-mile freight and passenger rail line connecting Santiago and Melipilla. Chilean officials said the project, once completed, would transport up to 60 million passengers annually and reduce commute times to just 25 minutes between the two cities. It is expected to be completed within six years.
By Theo Burman
September 15, 2025
www.newsweek.com
…The $500 million railway contract, won by CRCC subsidiary China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, marks the latest chapter in China's Belt and Road Initiative strategy to invest in infrastructure across developing nations.
It also reflects the deepening economic relationship between China and South America, particularly as Chinese companies seek to diversify trade routes and secure access to commodities such as copper and lithium...
The deal, awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), includes a 38-mile freight and passenger rail line connecting Santiago and Melipilla. Chilean officials said the project, once completed, would transport up to 60 million passengers annually and reduce commute times to just 25 minutes between the two cities. It is expected to be completed within six years.
By Theo Burman
September 15, 2025
China to build $500 million South American rail line
The project's contract includes the development of nine stations, a maintenance center, 12 viaducts, and seven pedestrian crossings.
www.newsweek.com
…The $500 million railway contract, won by CRCC subsidiary China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, marks the latest chapter in China's Belt and Road Initiative strategy to invest in infrastructure across developing nations.
It also reflects the deepening economic relationship between China and South America, particularly as Chinese companies seek to diversify trade routes and secure access to commodities such as copper and lithium...
Brightline West seeks $6 billion federal loan as construction costs rise
Project now estimated to cost $21.05 billion, up from $16 billion
By Trains Staff
October 6, 2025
www.trains.com
The median of Interstate 15, shown in a view looking west near the California-Nevada state line at Yates Well Road on Jan. 18, 2025, is planned to provide the right-of-way for most of the Brightline West route. Construction costs for the Las Vegas-Southern California route have risen considerably.
Project now estimated to cost $21.05 billion, up from $16 billion
By Trains Staff
October 6, 2025
Brightline West seeks $6 billion federal loan as construction costs rise - Trains
WASHINGTON — Brightline West is seeking a $6 billion government loan to address increased construction costs for its planned route between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev. A Department of Transportation document indicates the company behind the project, DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC...
www.trains.com
The median of Interstate 15, shown in a view looking west near the California-Nevada state line at Yates Well Road on Jan. 18, 2025, is planned to provide the right-of-way for most of the Brightline West route. Construction costs for the Las Vegas-Southern California route have risen considerably.
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