Trains.com

World's longest fast train line opens in China

1453 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Kenosha, WI
  • 6,567 posts
World's longest fast train line opens in China
Posted by zardoz on Thursday, December 27, 2012 8:52 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/business/global/worlds-longest-high-speed-rail-line-opens-in-china.html

I'm wondering how China can afford to build this. I was under the impression that they aren't as well-off as they would like the rest of the world to believe. The article does discuss the financial aspects of the construction.

BTW, the above link has a really cool photo of the train yard.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,052 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, December 27, 2012 8:58 PM

zardoz

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/business/global/worlds-longest-high-speed-rail-line-opens-in-china.html

I'm wondering how China can afford to build this. I was under the impression that they aren't as well-off as they would like the rest of the world to believe. The article does discuss the financial aspects of the construction.

BTW, the above link has a really cool photo of the train yard.

Link give me a error.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Southeast Missouri
  • 573 posts
Posted by The Butler on Friday, December 28, 2012 3:19 AM

James


  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,052 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, December 28, 2012 12:29 PM

Lavish spending on the project has helped jump-start the Chinese economy twice: in 2009, during the global financial crisis, and again this autumn, after a brief but sharp economic slowdown over the summer.       

The hiring of as many as 100,000 workers for each line has kept a lid on unemployment as private-sector construction has slowed because of limits on real estate speculation. The national network has helped to reduce air pollution in Chinese cities and helped to curb demand for imported diesel fuel by freeing capacity on older rail lines for goods to be carried by freight trains instead of heavily polluting, costlier trucks.

No comment on how this would go over in the US.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • 3,727 posts
Posted by John WR on Friday, December 28, 2012 5:01 PM

BaltACD
No comment on how this would go over in the US.

One part would probably go quite well:  Land speculation around stations.  

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy