Passenger

Dakguy201:

Paul Milenkovic:

Now we are talking about a New, New Deal.  Only this New Deal is not about he-man power, it is not the Socialism of resolute women and men putting their shoulder to getting things done, it is wimpy quiche-eating sissy Socialism of solar and wind power plants, of which no one knows if they can be built on anywhere the required scale and if they can, if they will come anywhere near meeting the requirement of electricity when it is needed.

I just about fell out of my chair laughing at that one!

Funny stuff!

But, it's even worse.  We only want renewables if they have near zero impact on anything and everything.  Wind power is good, but be sure to turn it off when the birds fly by.  Bio is OK, just don't let any fertilizer into the watershed or pump the aquifers dry. TIdal?  And wreak unforseen havoc on tidal wetlands?   Nuclear is not OK - ever.  Just look at France!  (Wait. It works OK in France? Shhhh!)

Progress is nearly always "two steps forward, one step back".  Seems we are becoming deathly afraid of "one step back".

The Cal HSR is a joke -- through the Mojave @ 220mph on a 110 Degree day...  When the rail is say 140 Degrees...  Fat chance...  A waste of taxpayer money.....

Cordorn/Dakguy/Paul Milenkovic:

Guys!  The connection with HSR to your recent comments is......? [1] Well, anyway, don't be dissing woman or quiche eaters.  I made the mistake of going off on a rant and I had to take my lumps.  Don't make the same mistake I made.

[2] Nuke energy in its present form is worse than burning coal for energy.  Current Nuke power plants operate on the principles of fission, not fusion.  The fission process creates spent nuke fuel that creates all kinds of problems; {1} the spent fuel is deadly to all animal and plant life on Earth for 8,000 to 10,000 years, {2} the spent fuel must be stored and GUARDED, {3} look at the trouble the US Gov is having trying to open Yucca Mtn, which will be a global nuke spent fuel depository, {4} a show of hands please, how many want a nuke waste dump down the street from their house?  In their county?

[3] Nuke energy is not safe, cheap, or plentyfull, and is not the way to go for HSR/IRSA.  North America cannot afford to electrify all rail lines.  A portable fuel must be developed to allow for pollution free train travel.  Like fuel cell technology.  Using solar, wind, geothermal energy to create a hydrogen gas supply...this will power the fuel cell locomotives of the future.

One reason to follow a more direct and faster alignment in the I-5 Corridor. 

Then again, temperatures in the Mohave don't get down to 30-below.

I can understand political needs.  The Palmdale routing also would facilitate a branch to Las Vegas.

Some writings on the California HSR system refer to a need for sharing use of existing rail facilities.  In contrast, Excutive Director Emeritus Rod Diridon said after the Midwest HSRA meeting the whole route from LA to SF would have separate tracks including a new through staion for HSR at LAUPT.  This also contradicts a plan for using an upgraded 110 mph San Jose-San Francisco Caltrain line.  Sounds to me that some issues still are in dispute.

HarveyK400:

One reason to follow a more direct and faster alignment in the I-5 Corridor. 

Then again, temperatures in the Mohave don't get down to 30-below.

I can understand political needs.  The Palmdale routing also would facilitate a branch to Las Vegas.

Some writings on the California HSR system refer to a need for sharing use of existing rail facilities.  In contrast, Excutive Director Emeritus Rod Diridon said after the Midwest HSRA meeting the whole route from LA to SF would have separate tracks including a new through staion for HSR at LAUPT.  This also contradicts a plan for using an upgraded 110 mph San Jose-San Francisco Caltrain line.  Sounds to me that some issues still are in dispute.

Major problems I have with the proposed system are numerous.

First when did Anahiem become the center of the universe in Southern California. The last time I looked Disney has made no offer to pay for the HSR system from Los Angeles to Anahiem so why should the California taxpayers. I only see the Anahiem station as a direct benefit to Disneyland.

Second California is unable to even get any interest in the first 10 billion of bonds that are on sale now. And now is the time to be buying the ROW. Originally it was estimated that the ROW would be around 16 billion, latest estimates place it closer to 8 billion with the states downturn in real estate values.  

Third looking at the progress that has been made in Mag-Lev I have become convinced that a 300 mph system is doable and makes far more sense than a steel wheel on steel rail system with a maximum speed of 220 mph. 

Fourth a Mag-lev system should draw no more power than the proposed HSR from what I have been able to learn.

Fifth where the power for any system will come from has not been anywhere near fully addressed as yet. And nowhere does it state where the additional power needs are going to come from. Wind farms are facing a soon to be day in court by bird groups who say thousands of migrating birds are being killed by the wind turbines. If they should win then the Wind Turbines will be out of service for six weeks each spring for the birds to migrate north and six weeks each fall for the southward migration. And speaking of the fifth I don't mind if I pour myself a wee bit of Crown Royal from the one in front of me.

Six is Mag-Lev more expensive yes!. But for the additional speed gain well worth any difference which should not be that great.

In the meantime I am going to take a stand against conventional HSR. And I really don't think it is to late since they have been unable to sell any bonds yet. 

Al - in - Stockton

I can understand the gripe about Disneyland not stepping up; but Annaheim also has a major pro sports stadium.  Transporting fans to sports events also entails reserve capacity for irregular services.

As for maglev, it is essentially dead.  The German developer is bankrupt from lack of commercial success and the deadly test track incident; and the test track in Bremen is being dismantled.  The Shanghi line that was built has not been commercially successful; and one of the two cars malfunctioned and burned damaging the track and will not be replaced.  Ride it now if you can.

Only the Chinese can afford a mistake like maglev in these times.

• Power consumption and cost were significantly greater than expected or tollerated.
• Construction was extremely costly with many synchronized magnets like crossties along the track.
• Capacity appears limited.. 
  

P.A.Talbot:

The fission process creates spent nuke fuel that creates all kinds of problems; {1} the spent fuel is deadly to all animal and plant life on Earth for 8,000 to 10,000 years, {2} the spent fuel must be stored and GUARDED, {3} look at the trouble the US Gov is having trying to open Yucca Mtn, which will be a global nuke spent fuel depository, {4} a show of hands please, how many want a nuke waste dump down the street from their house?  In their county?

The "trouble" the government is experiencing opening Yucca Mountain is political trouble.  Somehow, it seems strange that opponents of the project can point to difficulties caused by themselves as a valid reason for not proceeding.

The Yucca Mountain site was chosen precisely for its remote location and natural stability.  It is not down the street from anybody. 

Yes, the waste is dangerous and will be for a considerable period of time.  Putting it in a central place with a well designed containment system is vastly preferable to leaving it at dozens of locations across the country guarded by a bunch of rent-a-cops.

Unfortunately the Obama Administration apparently has sided with the Luddities and suspended the effort to get rail service to the site.           

HarveyK400:

I can understand the gripe about Disneyland not stepping up; but Annaheim also has a major pro sports stadium.  Transporting fans to sports events also entails reserve capacity for irregular services.

As for maglev, it is essentially dead.  The German developer is bankrupt from lack of commercial success and the deadly test track incident; and the test track in Bremen is being dismantled.  The Shanghi line that was built has not been commercially successful; and one of the two cars malfunctioned and burned damaging the track and will not be replaced.  Ride it now if you can.

Only the Chinese can afford a mistake like maglev in these times.

• Power consumption and cost were significantly greater than expected or tollerated.
• Construction was extremely costly with many synchronized magnets like crossties along the track.
• Capacity appears limited.. 
  

Al - in - Stockton