Yeah, I still don't see it happening......
https://www.newsweek.com/texas-poised-first-bullet-train-line-us-1888433?fbclid=IwAR0vX_WkPYeV0-qGdxEk1oQurm9Ty5GrPJv3wHkSO7vMKw7cc2qBWyxg4Rc
What really attracted me to TC was the thought that Japan wanted to export their tech and system knowhow. That we could have a superbly run operation here. That the green tsunami wants to move in is of little interest to me. I'll follow the Britepeople because they are trying to serve customers.
Surely a Brit like Aleks Phillips, who is an Oxbridge graduate, is able to understand the FRA speed classes well enough to comprehend that "200mph operation" and "grade crossings" could not possibly coexist in the United States. That lack of research integrity might compromise other elements of the story.
Note that nowhere is any participation by Fortress or a Brightline 'subsidiary' mentioned at all. This is touted as a Biden incentive, presumably implemented as a Government priority, perhaps to use Amtrak as an operating entity even though the route is entirely intrastate. I see in this another attempt to make Buttegieg look competent and active, to improve his perceived credentials for the Presidential election in 2028, rather than actually achieve HSR on this route in reasonable timeframe 'on its merits' or improve our relations with Japan, but that may just be paranoia.
An important point to remember is that, as we've already been told regarding CAHSR, the actual track capacity that gets built on a "200mph-capable" subgrade does not need to support full 200mph operation. It would provide many of the 'benefits' of HSR to have the initial service on the line no faster than 125mph peak, easily achieved with vastly lower-cost equipment and power requirements, and then increase service speeds (as I am now seeing the Chinese higher-speed proposals being rolled out) as demand for the faster speed, and willingness to pay its costs, develops.
GrampWhat really attracted me to TC was the thought that Japan wanted to export their tech and system knowhow. That we could have a superbly run operation here. That the green tsunami wants to move in is of little interest to me. I'll follow the Britepeople because they are trying to serve customers.
The issue in Texas is not necessarily that the state is anti-rail. The state has been repeatedly disappointed over and over again by government projects both inside and outside the area of high speed rail that have failed. So much so that there is now a home grown opposition to them. So if this was Brightline I would be cheering. Because it is Amtrak and the Federal Government I am groaning and wondering how long this newest form of torture is going to last for the State and more importantly, how much state taxpayers will be called upon to pay for the clean-up or project shut down costs when it becomes another fiasco.
As for the green industry, surprise there but Texas seems to be leading most of the United States in that sphere and apparently will be making money on it via sale of carbon offsets and new alternate sources of power. ERCOT has this convoluted strategy to use Bitcoin mining operations to build surge capacity (very cheaply) to cover for when alternate power sources reduce. So far it seems to be working.
This is what I'm talking about. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/5JS1ZajZMnUng4EG/?mibextid=UalRPS
Ten seconds of noise by the way. (Not the constant roar of an interstate).
GrampTen seconds of noise by the way. (Not the constant roar of an interstate).
Ohhhh, the train. Yes, of course.
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