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Amtrak funding
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Yes. Amtrak could also use TGV electric engines and cars which are 40 percent lighter than American diesels and cars. Think not of today, but of tomorrow. From the TGV website: <br /> <br />Although some people might suspect that a train's weight would affect fuel consumption as much as its shape would, weight actually has little influence on that aspect of the operation of high speed trains, But a heavy train stresses the tracks more than a lighter one does and consequently increases maintenance costs. Therefore, to protect the tracks, fast trains need to weigh as little as possible. We have crafted cars from lighter material than has been incorporated into conventional trains. Use of such materials in the passenger cars has made it possible to produce double decker vehicles that weigh no more than the single deck high speed trains, even though they boast seats for 45 percent more passengers. Thanks to aerodynamic styling, they also run as fast as their one level counterparts and consume less energy. The mortors directly responsible for turning the driving wheels, the traction motors, have been lightened too without sacrificing power. Motors on the faster next generation TGVs will be 40 percent lighter than the latest TGV motors. These weight reductions have been achieved by design changes as well as by using lighter materials. On a seat per seat basis, the TGVs are among the lightest trains in the world. We have put a lot of work into the seats as well. To save a few kilograms per seat, those in the next generaton TGVs will be made of carbon fibers, magnesium and composites.
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