Florida HSR

[Anonymous]

I was hoping to start a good discussion with this thread. I have done a lot more searching and found out there are a lot of hsr projects set to be completed in the 2010 area. The maglev project on the east coast sounds like a really good system. They are still planning, but they hope to begin construction in 2005-2006. In the midwest and great lakes regions they are going to upgrade existing track to allow 110mph train speeds. This won't be true hsr, but it will greatly increase the average speed.

They will need to do something to get to the 200mph average speed. At 200mph, railroads easily compete with airlines over great distances. The east coast maglev will do just that, probably getting rid of almost all flights between the connected cities.

They do need to figure out a standard for high speed trains. At some point, all of these systems will meet. With passengers, it is much easier to have walk to the other train at a terminal, unlike freight which requires a lot of labor to switch from narrow to standard guage track. It will still be inconvenient for people to switch between the rails and maglev trains instead of riding one train all the way to their destination.

I am a big fan of all hsr projects. I will definitely ride passenger trains when they become available. Right now, the trips that I want take too long, but they are still equal or less in price compared to airlines.

Check out www.amtrak.com/about/government-hsr-index.html This site has a whole bunch of info on all of the proposed and current plans.

I don't like the jet train, but I am sure they will come up with something better. If they don't want to electrify entire networks of track they will have to. As soon as the hsr projects are completed I think there will be a large shift to rail. I hate flying. I hate having to be at the airport an hour and a half ahead of time, all of the baggage checks, and security checks (I always get pulled to the side and scanned). I hate the pressure change when flying. Once I get to my destination, I can't hear good for several days. And I hate the cost. Right now, Amtrak is about the same price as airlines on a few long distance trips. The train takes 2 days vs. 8 hours in a plane. I don't have time to take the train, but I would love to ride on the rails and see all of the scenery along the way.

buellman

[Anonymous]

If it's going to be anything like the Bombardier built high speed train that Amtrak got, you'll be sad shape! When it was being shown off in Wash., DC, some of the test technicians that I managed to speak to said it's slow to load, even as you reach a higher throttle setting. So much for Canadian and international workmanship!!

Glenn
A R E A L RAILROADER...A TRUE AMERICAN!!!

[Modelcar]

...You have to start somewhere if the agreement is to start a high speed system. And something will have to be done with Florida's transportation system before it goes into complete gridlock.

[Anonymous]

The HSR is one of the biggest turkeys ever launched in the state
for the following reasons
1:it only benfits the southern part of the state
2 the whole state will have to pay for it
3nobody has a clue where the money is comming from
4 the ammendment to the constitution was so poorly written the average
voter had no clue as to the amount of money envolved
5 this is why bush and crew are trying to kill it
WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT
BILL

[BaltACD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

However, the Republicans, IMHO, as a whole take an "extremist" view of rail transportation funding as "PORK" (John McCain made that clear with his view on Amtrak). There a few that do support Amtrak and HSR initiatives, but they're in the minority.

The GOP only considers it PORK because their financial backers are not feeding at that particular SLOP pen. When the financial movers and shakers in the Republican Party can make an obscene amout of money from HSR and other forms of rail transit and transportation, watch the monetary faucet open.

[Modelcar]

...Yes, John McCain is not a friend of rail transportation. Most of his views I go along with but not on that one. I don't understand why he dams rail transportation so much.

[Anonymous]

We need it in the Midwest

DOGGY

[AntonioFP45]

I am conservative in my values and policitcal leanings, however, I must admit wholeheartedly that as long as Jeb Bush is governor, Florida will not see high speed rail for a long time.

I do understand the point that many government funded transportation agencies are poorly managed ( I worked 15 years for a transit agency! ) and are deliberatly dressed in "Red Tape". However, the Republicans, IMHO, as a whole take an "extremist" view of rail transportation funding as "PORK" (John McCain made that clear with his view on Amtrak). There a few that do support Amtrak and HSR initiatives, but they're in the minority.

With the threat of terrorism looming, HSR would be even more expensive than ever. Hopefully Florida will eventually have a quality and safe passenger rail system.

[Modelcar]

....Yes and some time ago Mr. Bush now in office there did kill a project that was on the books for HSR.

[BaltACD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...We spent 8 years of winters down in Florida and that has been a hot topic off and on for most of those years...[Light rail too..] and I believe the high speed rail bit is taking hold now but when it will become reality....I don't believe too many people yet know.
Orlando to Tampa and Miami is in the equation too...as for the routes. Of course I would like to see it become a reality. Interstate 4 is out of control around Orlando and many miles each way especially at work traffic times, so some new form of transportation sure would be great

Florida Interstates are at near gridlock during Daylight hours throughout the state.

HSR is desperately needed, however, with the Bush boys in DC and Tallahassee trying their best to kill transportation projects there needs to be a groundswell of support for HSR to become a fact. The project was undertaken as a voted on amendment to the States constitution, so the entire project is political in the extreme.

[Modelcar]

...We spent 8 years of winters down in Florida and that has been a hot topic off and on for most of those years...[Light rail too..] and I believe the high speed rail bit is taking hold now but when it will become reality....I don't believe too many people yet know.
Orlando to Tampa and Miami is in the equation too...as for the routes. Of course I would like to see it become a reality. Interstate 4 is out of control around Orlando and many miles each way especially at work traffic times, so some new form of transportation sure would be great

[RudyRockvilleMD]

I agree with your reasons for all electric technology for high speed trains. Another reason is the all-electric technology as exemplified by TGV's, X 2000's or ICE is mature while diesel electric or turbo-electric hgh speed train technology is still under development.

[rrnut282]

Don't hold your breath, waiting to ride..

[Anonymous]

I have been looking up a lot of info on the Florida HSR. I still have a few questions.

One site I went to talked about how they are going to have all electic TGV like trains. Another site talks about Bombardier's jet train. What will they really be using?

Have they started any construction? I read they are supposed to start this year.

I am really excited about this line and the whole theory behind it. While I live in Iowa, and will probably not ride the train except on a vacation in several years, it is a great step forward for passenger transportation in the United States. It will be great when all of the shorter trips you can take by train, and then link up to air travel for the cross country flights.

I really hope they are using the electric TGV technology. The jet train looks like a problem. Also, it is not a long term solution. We will always have electricity, but fossil fuels are running out. Electricity can always be produced from coal (we have a several hundred year supply) or hopefully more nuclear power and other sources of clean power. They might save money with the jet train, but they will probably wi***hey had gone electric down the road.