Just a thought... If the Federal Government is interested in promoting HSR in this country, then perhaps the President could use the rails for some of his travels. A good example would be today's trip to New York City. The Amtrak timing could be competitive with Air Force One since Ground Zero is much closer to NYP than to any airport in the area. I realize there would be plenty of security issues involved. I guess I'm thinking that "do as I do" speaks loud and clear.
I would think the Secret Service would require a full trainset and no civilian passengers. Then there is the problem of securing the entire line from Washington D.C. to New York City.
Could you imagine the public's paranoia if people suddenly saw the military guarding that rail line?
James
Unfortunately, New York Pennsylvania Station is a horrible, glorified basement. In many places you can touch the ceiling. There's no logistical way to secure that rat hole for the President.
There's a little article in this month's Trains Magazine Q&A column about presidents traveling by train. The long and short of it, is that the secret service says it's safer to fly the president around. After reading all that is involved in the president traveling by train, I wonder if it isn't isn't cheaper as well. Not meaning to get political here, but I'd be happy if the president- no matter who he or she is- would stop all the traveling around and go to work at the office for a change.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
When the President travels, he is first transported from the White House to Andrews using 3 identical multi million dollar helicopters that leapfrog in formation so that you cannot tell which one he is in during the flight. In addition to AF1, they use multiple C-17s to bring along three identical armored limousines and the ambulance that follows him everywhere. No one is allowed in the airspace around AF1, and the airport is closed to all other traffic during his arrival and departure. Then to get him from the airport to his destination they use those 3 identical limousines with the dark windows so you cannot tell which one he is in to travel over totally closed roads from which they have towed any parked vehicles protected by a police officer on every overpass, often with a helicopter checking the road ahead of him.
What do you think the chances are that they are going to put him on a train?
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Murphy Siding Not meaning to get political here, but I'd be happy if the president- no matter who he or she is- would stop all the traveling around and go to work at the office for a change.
Not meaning to get political here, but I'd be happy if the president- no matter who he or she is- would stop all the traveling around and go to work at the office for a change.
In this day of electronic communication the President can probably get more done aboard Air Force One than he can in the Oval Office. Fewer distractions. Wasn't the renewal of the Patriot Act signed at some overseas location a few days ago?
I can't help wondering if the security rigamarole surrounding presidential travel isn't somewhat overdone. Was every member of that crowd that was glad-handing the President and First Lady pre-screened and background checked? Even in a place where everyone WAS security cleared and background checked (maintenance shops of an Air Force Base), the Secret Service insisted on locking every door with their own locks!
I can't help wondering if the scheme to have nuclear tipped missiles on trains was derailed by Secret Service concern over security...
Chuck
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