RedScare Posted April 9, 2007 Author Share Posted April 9, 2007 This was a pretty decent thread for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinUther Posted April 23, 2007 Share Posted April 23, 2007 I just read this thread and noticed an idea that someone else mentioned that I think would work well - trains that carry cars. Actually I was driving north on I-95 once and read billbords advertising this same concept. If the high speed trains were built with this in mind then one could drive onto the train in Houston, sit in a safe air-conditioned compartment (not in the car they drove in on) and drive off in DFW. It would put a new spin on going to watch the Cowboys/Texans game. I bet the airlines and rental car companies would hate this idea. I have traveled quite a bit and have been on trains in The UK, Japan and Continental Europe and while their system works for them, as Texans I doubt we'll ever give up our percieved freedom of private vehicular transportation. Really, a Texan will drive accross the street before being seperated from his truck (yeah truck), nobody walks anywhere. (I know, I do it too.)Actually, I ride a motorcycle just about everywhere. I can't pass up 44+ mpg. But you know it is true, we don't walk. And most people I know that come here from out of state can't help but comment on the fact that most "cars" on the road here are pick-ups and SUV's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted April 24, 2007 Share Posted April 24, 2007 The signs you saw on I-95 were probably for Amtrak's auto train, which runs from the DC area down to Florida. You can load your car on the train, then ride Amtrak to Florida, and then have your own car to get around in while on vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
102IAHexpress Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 I just read this thread and noticed an idea that someone else mentioned that I think would work well - trains that carry cars. I just read this thread as well and I also thought that would be a good idea. Perhaps it could be modeled after the Eurotunnel Shuttle. I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 Given the distance between Paris and London (215 miles), I thought this article was appropriate for this thread. Paris to London in 2 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 How about Houston to London in two seconds?http://www.webex.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moni Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 The French TGV set a new speed record of over 357 mph.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11668535/The record was still shy of the record set by a Japenese mag-lev at 360 mph. At these speeds, a commuter could leave downtown Houston and arrive in downtown Dallas 40 minutes later. No wonder Herb Kelleher used his connections to kill the Texas TGV.This article just proves that a train could travel between Dallas and Houston in approx. 40 minutes. Does anyone care?? And, both cities would have to recruit big private money to make this work and would they even try?? Since this is actually possible, it is not just a pipe dream. Great things can happen if the will is there and a profit to be made is evident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 This article just proves that a train could travel between Dallas and Houston in approx. 40 minutes. Does anyone care?? And, both cities would have to recruit big private money to make this work and would they even try?? Since this is actually possible, it is not just a pipe dream. Great things can happen if the will is there and a profit to be made is evident.Just a couple of problems: The train reached a high speed of 357.2 mph at a particular point on the test run. That is quite different than being able to make the entire run at that speed.Bigger problem: "Great things can happen if the will is there and a profit to be made is evident." There is no evident profit to be made. This cannot be done without large government assistance of one kind or another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddleman Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 large government investment? Like want the airlines get fromthe government? Government must invest in infrastructure, and then private companies can make money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 large government investment? Like want the airlines get fromthe government? Government must invest in infrastructure, and then private companies can make money.Perhaps so, and paid for through usage fees and ticket taxes, just like with the airlines... PERHAPS that could make it feasible. The point is, it cannot be done by private investment alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 The Govt. can't even contribute to highways anymore. Neither can the state.So the only way the Govt. gets involved is if they sell their share to a private concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 College Station will host a press conference on high speed rail on Nov. 6.Press Conference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moni Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 It is amazing that people are seriously considering this high speed train in Texas. And, why not, the large texas cities can use this mode of transport as well as the northeast U.S. Isn't this just the greatest idea?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojeaux131 Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 It is amazing that people are seriously considering this high speed train in Texas. And, why not, the large texas cities can use this mode of transport as well as the northeast U.S. Isn't this just the greatest idea??It is. I fully agree. I want a Texan Shinkansen. These people seem to think it'd be a good idea, and they seem awful smart.http://www.rpa.org/pdf/temp/America%202050...as_pp_21-36.pdfAnyone who wants to whine about the cost should take a look at subsidies for airlines and freeways. Greater mobility options are the bottom line. Let's get with the program here, folks. This is a great idea in so many ways that if I try to think of them all my brain will explode.Edit: After rereading the epic battle between Houston19514 and TheNiche, I will perhaps limit my statement to subsidies for freeways. I am sure (or I think I am sure) that the government still subsidizes freeways. Phew. Scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desirous Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Some people question high speed rail in Texas based on the pitiful state of public transportation. They obviously haven't thought car rental companies would clamber to open branches at the rail terminals, just as they do at airports. Downtown-to-downtown, quiet, hassle-free, delay-free transportation that spares the environment, with car rentals at the destination? I'm in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urban909 Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Some people question high speed rail in Texas based on the pitiful state of public transportation. They obviously haven't thought car rental companies would clamber to open branches at the rail terminals, just as they do at airports. Downtown-to-downtown, quiet, hassle-free, delay-free transportation that spares the environment, with car rentals at the destination? I'm in. i second that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 If anyone needs high speed rail, it's College Station.Everytime I have been there I think "what is the fastest way out of this heck hole"?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.