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Traveling on fast trains in Europe

By The World ⋅ September 3, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
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President Obama’s stimulus plan includes $ 8 billion to help jump-start a new network of high-speed trains. But the future of rail is already here in other parts of the world, including Japan, China and as Kathleen Schalch reports, the European Union.

trainmap
Europe High Speed Rail Map source: Wikipedia

Europe High Speed Rail Map source: Wikipedia

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Discussion

6 comments for “Traveling on fast trains in Europe”

  • Robert T.

    What do you expect from a country that still hasn’t figured out the metric system?

    I am fortunate enough to live in the NE Corridor and LOVE taking the train . . . downtown to downtown, no cabs, no security, no delays.

    High-speed rail won’t immediately earn a profit. But when did they ever halt a highway project because it wouldn’t earn a profit? I grow weary of subsidizing people’s stupidity.

  • Miles

    High speed rail in the U.S. is doomed largely because of its size and population density. Most of Europe isn’t much bigger than Texas with a much denser population. Yes, many Europeans has bought into the man induced global warming scam and will bow to governmental dictates but that isn’t the nature of most Americans.

    I live in Texas and with high-speed rail, it would still take more than a day to get to California…I currently fly to my office in LA a couple of times a month in just under three hours.

  • Carl Friberg

    Your map of the U.S. is basically worthless! It does not show the city names. How do we get a better map? The map of Europe is not much because of reading difficulties, but at least the city names are there.

    • http://www.theworld.org Clark Boyd

      Carl -

      Just to be clear: it’s not our map. It’s the one provided by the United States government about its proposed high-speed rail system.

  • jody saunders

    high speed trains are great for travel, but subways provide enough transit in north America. the trouble is not how to get to work 300km away, its how to find a job.

  • Codeguy

    To MILES from Texas

    You’re right. High Speed rail makes little sense in Texas. However, it DOES make sense in highly populated areas like the North East, California and Florida, where a much larger population seperated by a much shorter distance would be able to pay far less, and use electricity rather than jet fuel. In addition, building a few high speed cross-country rail links that supported both people and Cargo would also be financially beneficial. The Cargo savings alone would amount to $300 Billion in the first decade of use and would pay for the lines while replacing foreign fuel costs with American Construction jobs. On top of that, stops along the way would become more attractive living destinations since they are now on the Nations transit system. Further, people willing to make overnight trips would sleep the entire journey. At 200 MPH, Texas is still 8 hours from California, but if the cost is similar and you get to sleep the entire way in a nice cabin, why not? I’ve done it in Europe, where you can take the train from Paris to Rome, 7 Hours $250, you leave at midnight, you arrive nicely rested at 7AM.