China Proposes International Rail Link to USA

[Murphy Siding]

dakotafred

Murphy, remember that a lot of the riders will be for intermediate destinations, as on Amtrak. I'd ride Minot-Peking!

   Well of course!  I overlooked the financial impact of those riders going from Nome, Alaska to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, or Nowhere, Siberia.

[blue streak 1]

There will be in the future be more and more international RR traffic.  At present there are many RR systems world wide that are separate but barring unforeseen happenings many more will be connected.

Governing bodies of countries especially the EU, Russia, China, Canada, USA will need to come together now for world wide standards of interchange service.  Already there are various trials of China = Western Europe service that will just increase over time? 

The USA and Canada need to participate in writing these standards.  If this Siberian - Alaska - USA  rail link is ever built they might  be left in a lurch  ?

Other locations ------ Africa, South America, SE Asia probably would come willing or kicking and screaming ?

Australia would probably not be included barring some extreme tunneling advances ?

Another problem might be the sheer volume of traffic of this link ?  Are per mile rail rates competitive with sea rates ?  Since rail is faster ( ? ) a rail link might require 3 - 4 tracks to handle the load ?  Just look at the Southern California traffic alone to Chicago & the east coast on UP & BNSF. .

 

[chutton01]

blue streak 1

Question are the specifications of China locos rail cars the same as North Anerican?.  Buff strength, coupler strength, same knuckle system, coupler height, air brake system, MU cables, wheel profile, rail profile,  car clearances, dimensions, etc ?   

From this website (Gondola page, there are several other pages), which includes both Domestic (Chinese) products and Export model (of course), looks like the rolling stock superficially is compatible with North American standards. Each wagon pictured has specs, not quite sure off-hand if they are fully FRA compliant

[blue streak 1]

Probably a pipe dream but:

Standard gage definitely but where Russian gage ROW has the correct compass directions just add a third rail on the present track crossties.  As  traffic grows then standard gage could be added side by side of the Russian gage ?  Dual gage tracks have a long history of success in the US ( mainly D&RGW ). and other locations.

Question are the specifications of China locos rail cars the same as North Anerican?.  Buff strength, coupler strength, same knuckle system, coupler height, air brake system, MU cables, truck designs, axel loadings,  wheel profile, rail profile,  car clearances, dimensions, etc ? 

FRA and AARR compliant 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The politics in this proposal are absolutely impossible.  The proposal is probably a method of pushing China's longstanding claims to Russian territory northeast of the Amur River.

[PNWRMNM]

Northwest,

The rational solution would be standard gauge since IIRC that is what the Chicoms have.

For Russian traffic do a side by side container swap where this line crosses the Trans Siberian.

Mechanics are easy. Politics are difficult.

Mac

[henry6]

I would suggest that as time goes by the importance of an all weather transportation link between the two continents will grow to the point that it will be cost effective.  Now?  Probably not.  But sometime in the next 25-50 years it will be.  And the one there with the track laid and signals lit will be in charge of international trade from that time forth.  This is not an idea to be sneezed at and made fun of but to be studied and taken seriously.  We seem to be drifting to reliances and alliances in the Pacific Ring and away from Europe.  Think and do before it's too late.

[NKP guy]

This could be a good idea as long as the trains bypass Manhattan.  Maybe connecting trains can be used.   lol

[NorthWest]

A few points-

1. I suspect that this line would have no passenger service, being primarily for freight.

2. The gauge issue with Russia will be interesting.

3. Cost, as noted, will be astronomical, as will the time it takes to get the permits to cross the environmentally sensitive areas such as permafrost.  

[dakotafred]

Murphy, remember that a lot of the riders will be for intermediate destinations, as on Amtrak. I'd ride Minot-Peking!

[Dakguy201]

The link wasn't working this morning, but it is interesting to reflect the route would have to cross what is today Russian territory, but it is historically viewed by the Chinese as their hinterlands.  Given its mineral riches one wonders how long the current situation will prevail.

[Murphy Siding]

Looking beyond that fact that it would be darn near impossible and cost several gazillion dollars to build, wouldn't the cost for a train ticket from Beijing to New York probably cost more than a plane ticket? Who would have the money or the desire to take the train from Beijing to New York?

[matthewsaggie]

Never will happen, but I like folks that dream big.  We were good at that at one time, now all we want to know is how much will it cost, will it raise my taxes and how many frogs, bugs and flowers will it kill.  China is the US circa 1890 in attitude- anything is possible, lets try to build it. 

[samfp1943]

Looks like this idea has reared its head again... A rail Link across the Bering Straits ( Sea?) to link China via Siberia, on into Alaska, Canada and the USA...

Here is the linked article:

   @ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2014-05/08/content_17493399.htm

FTA: "... In not so distant future, people can take the train from China to the US, according to Beijing Times Thursday citing Wang Mengshu, a railway expert and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering..." 

Seems like the last time there was a proposal to Bridge the Bering Straits, not a tunnel?

 

UPDATED to New LINK on 09/29/2014 

 

OK, Sorry about the bad Linked article to the Bejing Times.

 

Went in this morning and have found a similar article but at a different site. This is the link to the Railway Technology. com  ( unfortunately, it does not have the sexy illustration of a HSR Train with it.

Linked Site is @ http://www.railway-technology.com/news/newschina-proposes-new-high-speed-railway-line-to-us-4263463

article is : "...China proposes new high-speed railway line to US..." 9 May 2014

And then this article from the Economic Times that does have a similar, ( sexy) illustration of a Chinese HSR Train. [dated 9 May 2014]

Linked @ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/china-plans-to-build-high-speed-rail-networks-to-us/articleshow/34873289.cms