Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail

[D24OHA]

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

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...

China playing the long game.....

Invest $500 - $600 million now for Billions later.

China has a technological/ manufacturing foothold in the US, but its building a financial one across the globe.

It'll be hard for South America to turn against China with part of their transportation/ economic backbone dependent upon them.

And then the Chinese Canal thats going to usurp the Panama Canal and make global trade times shorter......... they are taking full advantage of the US being in chaos and distracted by itself.

A President that's globally minded or with a moderate attention span could see what's happening and what's at stake for the future.

However, Drumpf is only concerned with himself and enriching his friends/ family as much as possible with the time he has left and the future of the US be damned if it gets in his way.

 

[blackbull1970]

Is This The ‘Deadliest’ Train In America?
October 10, 2025

According to a joint Miami Herald / WLRN investigation, the Brightline passenger train in Florida has been linked to over 180 deaths since its launch in 2017. Brightline has not been found at fault for any of the deaths on the tracks. In a statement to INSIDE EDITION, Brightline says, although tragic, all of those fatal train strikes were preventable and "the result of illegal, deliberate behavior by people putting themselves in harm’s way."

​

 

[bham_brotha]

The problem with brightline is, unlike high speed rail in Asia or Europe, they went cheap and built their line with railroad crossings. That was never a good idea. At crossings, you either need a bridge or a tunnel for the traffic or the train. They're also struggling financially so who knows if it'll even still be open by the time 2028 gets here. They were betting on making their money off of the real estate surrounding their stations from property that they own but it hasn't panned out that way. Other countries use government funding for rail for the most part and without that, a private company isn't going to take losses for long before they say damn this.

 

[D24OHA]

The problem with brightline is, unlike high speed rail in Asia or Europe, they went cheap and built their line with railroad crossings. That was never a good idea. At crossings, you either need a bridge or a tunnel for the traffic or the train. They're also struggling financially so who knows if it'll even still be open by the time 2028 gets here. They were betting on making their money off of the real estate surrounding their stations from property that they own but it hasn't panned out that way. Other countries use government funding for rail for the most part and without that, a private company isn't going to take losses for long before they say damn this.

Another problem with using existing freight rail lines, aside from the traffic and reduced speed for crossings, is the curves. Because they were designed for freight cars traveling less than 60 mph, Brightline is not ever able to reach true "High Speed" status.

HSR will never happen with Republicans in power. They'd rather give the rich bigger tax cuts and strip Medicare/ Social Security than try to make HSR a true viable 3rd option for long travel.

And that is sad because a 3rd option would benefit so many industries in addition to the "common" people.

 

[HellBoy]

 

[blackbull1970]

I would think they would have a ‘Deadman Switch’ on the throttle.

Look closely and you can see the speedometer go up when she is passed out.

San Francisco Train Operator Caught Sleeping
Tells Terrified Riders: ‘We Didn’t Crash, Relax’
November 11, 2025

Wild video shows a San Francisco train driver nodding off as it accelerates to more than 50 miles per hour. The MTA driver appears slumped over in a chair when the packed two-car train hits a turn hard and nearly hits a car — jolting the driver awake as passengers screamed in fright.

​

 

[blackbull1970]

TxDOT Unveils Plan To Expand Transit By 2050
November 10, 2025

TxDOT's new Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan 2050 proposes a transformative, statewide network of expanded transportation options to handle the projected 40% population boom by 2050, even as several major North Texas cities consider withdrawing from DART.

​

 

[blackbull1970]

Brightline West high-speed rail could transform holiday travel between Las Vegas and California by 2028

The 218-mile high-speed rail system is expected to remove 3 million cars from roadways and reduce travel time from 5.5 hours to 2 hours when it opens in 2028

By: Geneva Zoltek
Nov 27, 2025

Brightline West high-speed rail could transform holiday travel between Las Vegas and California by 2028

Brightline West high-speed rail opening in 2028 could cut Las Vegas to Southern California travel time from 5.5 hours to 2 hours, removing 3 million cars.

www.ktnv.com

 

[blackbull1970]

Number of Americans Taking the Train at Record Levels

By Amanda Greenwood
November 20, 2025

Number of Americans taking the train at record levels

More than 34 million passengers rode an Amtrak train in the fiscal year 2025.

www.newsweek.com

A record-breaking 34.5 million people have traveled on an Amtrak train in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which is over 5 percent more than last year, which, at 32.8 million, was also a record-breaking number, according to the company—appearing to show a steady upward trend for train travel across the U.S.

In 2025, Amtrak invested $5.5 billion in infrastructure projects—a 24 percent increase over the previous year—including $1.1 billion for track, catenary, signal, and structural maintenance, as well as progress on major bridge, tunnel, and station upgrades. These improvements support jobs, strengthen local economies and enhance accessibility.

Amtrak—America’s primary provider of intercity passenger rail service—said it had set a new ridership record in FY25, carrying 34.5 million passengers across a 21,000-mile network to more than 500 station stops in 46 states, a 5.1 percent increase over FY24’s then-record of 32.8 million trips. This comes alongside other major milestones, including $2.7 billion in adjusted ticket sales and $3.9 billion in total operating revenue.

Plus, passengers logged a total of 6.9 billion miles in 2025—which is an all-time high—while on-time performance and customer service scores reached historic highs, with rave reviews about Wi-Fi coverage, food and drink, and communication, the company said in a press release on Tuesday.
Long-distance routes saw increased capacity and strong ridership, especially on the California Zephyr and Coast Starlight trains, and state-supported services like the Pacific Surfliner, Borealis, and Empire Service posted record gains.

Amtrak also introduced several new services, including the Mardi Gras route between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans—the first Gulf Coast service in nearly two decades—and launched the NextGen Acela on the Northeast Corridor, which welcomed more than 60,000 riders in its first month…

Passengers leaving an Amtrak train at Moynihan Penn Station in New York City, on July 13, 2023.​

 

[Coldchi]

TxDOT Unveils Plan To Expand Transit By 2050
November 10, 2025

TxDOT's new Texas Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan 2050 proposes a transformative, statewide network of expanded transportation options to handle the projected 40% population boom by 2050, even as several major North Texas cities consider withdrawing from DART.

​

There are tens of thousands of residents in those cities that want to withdraw that use DART.
Once the bus and train service is removed from their area.....the complaints will be far and wide.
More from people in Dallas that may work in Plano.
This shit will affect FIFA attendees real hard next year. Uber and Lyft drivers will make a killing tho.

 

[blackbull1970]

Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign high-speed rail deal to link capitals

The project, set to be completed in six years, is the first of its kind between the two Gulf nations.

By Mariamne Everett and AFP
8 Dec 2025

Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign high-speed rail deal to link capitals

The project, set to be completed in six years, is the first of its kind between the two Gulf nations.

www.aljazeera.com

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a formal agreement to construct high-speed rail connecting their capitals, the first project of its kind between the two Gulf states that were once deeply at odds.

According to a statement in official Saudi media on Monday, the “high-speed electric passenger railway” would connect Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport...

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, receives Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit in Doha on September 15, 2025​

 

[blackbull1970]

Inside China’s 600 MPH Floating Train Faster Than a Boeing 737

It's basically a Hyperloop design on steroids.

by Tibi Puiu
December 14, 2025

Inside China's 600 MPH Floating Train Faster Than a Boeing 737

It's basically a Hyperloop design on steroids.

www.zmescience.com

The T-Flight might eventually reach a speed of up to 1,243 mph (2,000 km/h), almost twice the speed of sound.​

 

[blackbull1970]

Amtrak Shoots Down "America's 250th Birthday Gift" With Stern Message To Rival For New Cross-Country Route Idea

By Gia Marcos
December 30, 2025

Amtrak Shoots Down "America's 250th Birthday Gift" With Stern Message To Rival For New Cross-Country Route Idea

Amtrak turned down a proposed route that could "prevent its chronic delays," and passengers are pleased.

www.thetravel.com

Traveling between New York City and Los Angeles via Amtrak takes approximately three days and involves two separate train rides. So, it had Amtrak passengers talking when the private company, AmeriStarRail (ASR), proposed a continuous cross-country route with only a single train. But after months of keeping quiet on the ambitious proposal set to improve the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak finally turned down AmeriStarRail's offer with a stern message.

AmeriStarRail's Chief Operating Officer Scott Spencer made this pitch in an open letter, claiming this "Transcontinental Chief" route could be operational by May 10, 2026, just in time for America's 250th birthday and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But although it promises a more convenient coast-to-coast service, even Amtrak passengers are happy that the proposed route was rejected. Here's why...

 

[blackbull1970]

Brightline West High Speed Rail Project Now On Track For Late 2029
January 14, 2026

The Brightline West high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas to Southern California is now scheduled for completion by late 2029, the company told FOX5.

​

 

[darth frosty]

 

[blackbull1970]

Building Brightline West - Las Vegas Station Site 2025 Progess
January 15, 2026

Brightline West began work on the site of our future Las Vegas station in 2025. Get up to speed on our progress with this look at our mass grading, utility works, and start of the first structure on the site, the station's parking garage.

​

 

[blackbull1970]

Zürich To Paris At 320km/h On The Amazing High Speed TGV Lyria In First Class
January 26, 2026

The TGV Lyria has been providing high speed rail links between France and Switzerland for over 30 years and is by far the best way to travel between both countries. In this video I travel in first class between Switzerland and France's two largest cities to show you why this is the way to go... even if it isn't perfect. Enjoy the video!

​

 

[Z MONSTER]

Because Cac's in the US are destructive and would try to bomb or derail a train. Oh yeah, Obama suggested backing it.

 

[blackbull1970]

China unveils the fastest bullet train ever built, reaching speeds of 450 km/h in tests and leaving Japan and Germany behind in the global race for the future of transportation

By Adrian Villellas
February 18, 2026

China unveils the fastest bullet train ever built, reaching speeds of 450 km/h in tests and leaving Japan and Germany behind in the global race for the future of transportation

China’s CR450 bullet train hits 450 km/h in tests—set to crush high-speed rail records and reshape travel

www.ecoticias.com

China has unveiled prototypes of a new CR450 bullet train that could soon become the fastest passenger train on rails. In tests, the sleek electric train has reached 450 kilometers per hour, and railway officials say the goal is to run it at 400 kilometers per hour in normal service, well ahead of today’s Japanese and European high-speed trains. If those numbers hold in real-world operations, they would mark a major shift in how quickly people and goods can move across the country…

 

[blackbull1970]

Brightline West High Speed Train Roadwork this Week on I-15

Staff Writer
February 23, 2026

Brightline West High Speed Train Roadwork this Week on I-15 - Pain In The Pass

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> Brightline West announces more updates to field investigation work in Southern California within the proposed rail corridor within Interstate 15 right-of-way. Field work has started already for the Brightline West that will connect Las Vegas and...

paininthepass.info

Brightline West announces more updates to field investigation work in Southern California within the proposed rail corridor within Interstate 15 right-of-way. Field work has started already for the Brightline West that will connect Las Vegas and Southern California with America’s first true high-speed rail system.

Field investigation work includes geotechnical borings and samplings, utility potholing and land surveying. Work will take place primarily during daytime hours, with some work at night to minimize disruption to traffic. In some instances, short term closures of freeway shoulders will be required. All work will be done in compliance with applicable environmental regulations and in coordination with Caltrans and the Nevada Department of Transportation…

 

[code_pirahna]

Because the US spends $75 on ICE then on infrastructure and future technologies

 

[blackbull1970]

I paid $2,200 for a bedroom on a 53-hour Amtrak train. The 50-square-foot space with a full bathroom was worth the price.

The 50-square-foot space had a couch, a seat, a table, two beds, and a full bathroom. It was worth the price for my 53-hour train ride on the California Zephyr.

By Joey Hadden
Feb 23, 2026

I paid $2,200 for a bedroom on a 53-hour Amtrak train. The 50-square-foot space with a full bathroom was worth the price.

I traveled comfortably on Amtrak's California Zephyr in a private bedroom for $2,200. It was worth the price for the longest train ride in the US.

www.businessinsider.com

Business Insider's reporter spent 53 hours on Amtrak's California Zephyr train in a bedroom accommodation.​

 

[blackbull1970]

Australia has been waiting more than 40 years for a high-speed train

The then head of the CSIRO floated the idea of high-speed rail for Australia in the 1980s. A series of state and federal governments have since investigated, then shelved, the idea.

Bruce MacKenzie
February 23, 2026

Australia's long wait for a high-speed train

It has been more than 40 years since the idea of high-speed rail was first floated in Australia, but is it finally about to become a reality?

www.abc.net.au

The Albanese Government has now committed an extra $230 million for the development phase of a high-speed rail line linking Sydney and Newcastle.

An artist's impression of a section of the proposed high-speed rail link between Sydney and Newcastle.​

 

[blackbull1970]

Amtrak ends plans for new bi-level cars

By David Lassen
February 26, 2026

Amtrak ends plans for new bi-level cars - Trains

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is scrapping plans for a new generation of bi-level passenger equipment to replace its aging Superliner fleet, announcing that it will instead move ahead with developing a single-level fleet for use across its system. The company said in a press release that the move reflects...

www.trains.com

Amtrak is scrapping plans for a new generation of bi-level passenger equipment to replace its aging Superliner fleet, announcing that it will instead move ahead with developing a single-level fleet for use across its system.

The company said in a press release that the move reflects “extensive analysis of the challenges associated with operating a hybrid fleet;” industry feedback from its prior proposals on new bi-level cars; and findings from a joint review by Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration.

At its Jan. 28 meeting, the Amtrak board of directors ordered management to pursue single-level equipment for the long-distance network, based on a recommendation from the Department of Transportation, sources told Trains.

“This new approach will deliver a more consistent and accessible customer experience across the Amtrak network while maintaining our commitment to introduce the first new long-distance cars in the early 2030s,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a press release today (Feb. 26). “Thanks to support from FRA Administrator David Fink and the entire Federal Railroad Administration team, Amtrak’s long-distance fleet replacement is moving forward more effectively and efficiently than originally planned.”…

Workers at Amtrak’s Beech Grove (Ind.) Heavy Maintenance Facility rebuild a Superliner dining car in 2016. Amtrak is dropping plans to seek bi-level replacements for the Superliners, instead moving toward development of single-level equipment for long-distance trains across its system. ​

 

[blackbull1970]

Brightline West still waiting on federal loan as Vegas-to-SoCal high-speed rail project stalls

Construction funding unresolved as local trade union warns of growing work shortage

By Kim Passoth
Mar. 5, 2026

Brightline West still waiting on federal loan as Vegas-to-SoCal high-speed rail project stalls

Brightline West has confirmed to FOX5 that it is still waiting on a $6 billion federal loan needed to fund construction of its planned high-speed rail line.

www.fox5vegas.com

Brightline West has confirmed to FOX5 that it is still waiting on a $6 billion federal loan needed to fund construction of its planned high-speed rail line connecting Las Vegas to Southern California.

The company told investors it is simultaneously pursuing a $4 billion loan from a banking consortium. Brightline says surveying work has been completed along the entire route. Brightline did not provide additional updates on construction progress or a timeline when contacted by FOX5...

 

[HellBoy]

Round and round we go.