TrainsMag.com Reader Poll – November 24, 2003

[Bergie]

What was the biggest news story in the TRAINS News Wire during the week of November 17 through 21? Vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

I think this is the biggest story as I feel once this is a proven reliable system, we will see it here as the answer to HSR.

[brilondon]

There has got to be larger stories about rail this week. I do not feel that any of these stories are earth shattering. May be in the future the Japanese story may have ramifications. As of right now with funding for Amtrak and Via Rail kept to a bare minimum to keep the present system taped and stapled together, I cannot see either governments funding studies to research and implement any of the present HSR projects beyond any more than a passing wish among us rail fans.

[rob3ri]

Coast to coast by rail in a day (or overnight?) will remain an elusive fantasy in the U.S. for some time, if ever, but it is my dream and it CAN be done. My concern is with a number of high-speed rail proposals on the table at the state level, we'll end up with a plethora of incompatible systems much like Australia once had multiple gauges. It is time for the U.S.government to come up with a standard. I don't believe high-speed rail has a chance in the U.S. until that happens.

Thanks & let's give thanks this Thanksgiving for those whom serve. They may be volunteers, but it's no picnic.

[JoeUmp]

Railroads were once the state of the art in transportation. I think it's time they were again. Let's get High Speed Rail going here in America and just maybe Amtrak and VIA Rail can take on the airlines properly.

[Anonymous]

Who can help me !
I am a Gardenrailroader in Austria/Europe and I would like to install some lights more to my engines, but I dont know the colors and the purpose of the different lights and when they are turned on.
Marslight
Gyralight,
Ditchlight
Beaconlight
Single and Double Strobelights
Thanks for your efforts and excuse me for my bad english.
Leo

[Anonymous]

Wow...as a Japanese railfan and former TRAINS reader, I am surprised to see a bit of enthusiasm from my US counterparts over Central Japan Railway (better known here as JR Tokai for the region it serves)'s maglev achievement. It certainly is breathtaking.

But the sad reality is, JR Tokai's Shinkansen bullet train is under increasing assault from the skies. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are stealing customers from the rails by the thousands...my parents and sister included...with efficient 777's, frequent-flyer programs, steep discounts, and what not.
When I look at the website of the Japanese rail monthly "Railway Journal," I see lots of grousing about how JR Tokai is preoccupied with carrying as many people as possible, and not making its best effort to make the Shinkansen an attractive option. I happen to be one of them. Why, the Tokyo-Osaka route lost all food-service cars more than three years ago, and the cramped 5-abreast coach seating makes Shinkansen seem not too different from an MD-90. Lost too are the 100-series trainsets, with the double-decked first class cars that drew so much attention from the traveling public (old-time TRAINS readers may remember seeing those missile-nosed consists on a TRAINS cover back in 1989 or '90. Douglas Polinder did a pretty good job of introducing Japan Railways).

This might sound like a spoiled boy grousing over not getting something better, and I do not blame those who feel that way. I lived in South Carolina 1980-85, and remember those annual battles Amtrak had to fight for mere survival. But to me Amtrak seemed possessed of a fighting spirit, perhaps due in great part to the presence of a man named W. Graham Claytor, Jr. I feel a need for a Japanese Claytor, someone who dares everyone to "get your head out of the clouds." I speak from a wee bit of experience; those Amfleet II coaches I rode on the "Palmetto" back in '85 is a match for any standard-class coach in this country in terms of creature comfort.

That's why I wish Amtrak the very best of luck as it lives its 32nd year (btw, I am exactly two weeks younger than the National Railroad Passenger Corporation), and keep high hopes for the future of US passenger railroading.

[brilondon]

The problem with our culture here in North America is that we want high speed rail but because Amtrak and Via Rail are 100% reliant on Gov't $$$'s for their basic survival there will never be enough money to explore the practical side of High Speed Rail in either country.

In Canada we have a choice to fly for about half the cost as the train between Toronto and Montreal and at four times the speed. High-speed rail would be a good idea as long as it is competetive with other forms of transportation. It would be good for travel in high population density areas within 600 km, of each other as Transport 2000 has always proposed and have studies to prove. Unfortunatly there is a rather large finanacial commitment to be made and as we all know, passenger rail has to fight tooth and nail to get enough money to survive, let alone invest in new technology.

[Anonymous]

The wreck in Washington State was at the exact spot of another wreck ten years ago at the same spot that cost the lives of 8 folks +, the signal system has never been updated since it was first installed 50+ years ago and has been the seen of many "fender benders". And it appears won't be fixed for many more according to a signal tech I know.

[eastcoast]

New advances in technology is of interest.
We need new technology here in the states to stay
competitive with airlines and highways. HSR is where
we need to go to lessen rail accidents vs. automobiles.

[Anonymous]

MagLev is the next "rail" system. It has the potential to make wide spread passenger travel in North America possible again. Not to mention slashing the costs of freight.

[rrcrazy]

The biggest story of the week is the reopening of the PATH terminal at the World Trade Center. This will relieve congestion on the other New York-New Jersey area commuter routes i.e. ferry, highway, bus, as well as the other PATH line into New York.

Say what you will about WTC site development, but this cog in the wheel definitely needed to be reopened.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[BaltACD]

Don't think there has been any significant rail news this week....too much triptopan circulating.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Livehorse

The wreck in Washington State was at the exact spot of another wreck ten years ago at the same spot that cost the lives of 8 folks +, the signal system has never been updated since it was first installed 50+ years ago and has been the seen of many "fender benders". And it appears won't be fixed for many more according to a signal tech I know.

That collision took the lives of five people, not eight, and has prompted some safety upgrades. However, as you mention, the signalling system on BNSF between Portland and Seattle is still archaic.

Paul

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brilondon

The problem with our culture here in North America is that we want high speed rail but because Amtrak and Via Rail are 100% reliant on Gov't $$$'s for their basic survival there will never be enough money to explore the practical side of High Speed Rail in either country.

In Canada we have a choice to fly for about half the cost as the train between Toronto and Montreal and at four times the speed. High-speed rail would be a good idea as long as it is competetive with other forms of transportation. It would be good for travel in high population density areas within 600 km, of each other as Transport 2000 has always proposed and have studies to prove. Unfortunatly there is a rather large finanacial commitment to be made and as we all know, passenger rail has to fight tooth and nail to get enough money to survive, let alone invest in new technology.

Then let some of these murky "private entities" come out of the shadows and put their money where their mouth is. (High speed rail )

I've had it up to my neck with "undisclosed parties" testing for what level of state and local commitment they may have to work with, "Out in the open ye bushwackers!" is what II say