[snakeoil]

California has just broken ground on the United States first high speed rail system.

http://inhabitat.com/california-just-br ... peed-rail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This from Wiki:

High-speed rail is a type of rail transport that operates significantly faster than traditional rail traffic, using an integrated system of specialized rolling stock and dedicated tracks. The first such system began operations in Japan in 1964 and was widely known as the bullet train. High-speed trains normally operate on standard gauge tracks of continuously welded rail on grade-separated right-of-way that incorporates a large turning radius in its design.

Many countries have developed high-speed rail to connect major cities, including Austria, Belgium, Britain, China (PRC), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan (ROC), Turkey, the United States and Uzbekistan.

While high-speed rail is usually designed for passenger travel, some high-speed systems also offer freight service. For instance, the French mail service La Poste owns a few special TGV trains for carrying postal freight.

[snakeoil]

Could it possibly be that the extreme politics we have today is relegating the United States into an also ran status in the business world. Maybe it's time to abandon the "my way or the highway" mentality that our political leaders have and start to work together.

[Clownkicker]

But to build a rail system like that you would have to...to...to....I can hardly even say it....raise the taxes. :o

It would mean the end of the world.

Is a 21st century train system really worth that?

[sillydaddy]

I believe the countries that developed high speed rail do so out of necessity because they lack one or all of the following: adequate highway system, auto industry, oil industry or good economy as a whole.

[johnforbes]

Clownhacker's posts give new meaning to the label "narrow gauge."

[Clownkicker]

johnfecalith's posts bring new meaning to the label "fucking stupid."