A new NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAIL!

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

COOL, huh? The antithesis of supply and demand. We can fill it with illegals, and send them back and forth, til they beg to return home!

[Frozen Sooner]

I certainly hope you never drive on interstates.

[GottaHavePride]

If we actually had a well-designed, convenient, and reliable high-speed rail system, I sure as hell would use it. I bet a lot of other people would, too. Really, how many people are pissed at the airlines right now? Cutting flights, delays, and charging fees to take luggage with you?

[SoonerAtKU]

If I could get to my Louisiana for less than the price of a plane ticket, and not have to drive? I'd go 3 times a year, instead of once every 2 years.

[1890MilesToNorman]

Our existing rail system costs more then flying these days? Why would I wand to spend money on that?

[SoonerAtKU]

It's not convenient is the biggest issue. It doesn't go places I want to go, on a schedule I want to use. If I wanted to visit my Mom, I'd have to take the train to Dallas and have her drive 2 hours to pick me up. Not enough savings to make up for that inconvenience.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

YES, MORE MORE!

[delhalew]

If our tax dollars pay for its constuction will I be able to ride for free.

I should say YOUR tax dollars as I am looking to make the transition from a producer to a recipient. I think my new job will be playing Xbox and eating cheetos. I am confident few of you will have any problem with that.
Would it help if I double the number of children in my home? Its too late for me to be an illegal...err...undocumented immigrant or a minority. I could go get a drug problem.

Oh well. Just spit balling.

[Stitch Face]

If our tax dollars pay for its constuction will I be able to ride for free.

I should say YOUR tax dollars as I am looking to make the transition from a producer to a recipient. I think my new job will be playing Xbox and eating cheetos. I am confident few of you will have any problem with that.
Would it help if I double the number of children in my home? Its too late for me to be an illegal...err...undocumented immigrant or a minority. I could go get a drug problem.

Oh well. Just spit balling.

Sounds good, but don't forget: if you had student loans you'll have to pay the taxpayers back 10% of your cheetos each month for a few years.

[delhalew]

Sounds good, but don't forget: if you had student loans you'll have to pay the taxpayers back 10% of your cheetos each month for a few years.

I already paid those off. My idiotic parents raised me with a sense of responsibility.
Therefore I am late to the party. :(

[ouleaf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEZjzsnPhnw

Mono-Rail!!!

[SoonerAtKU]

You didn't ask if I'd vote for it or even ask for it. I wouldn't. If it were available, I'd probably use it, though.

[LosAngelesSooner]

COOL, huh? The antithesis of supply and demand. We can fill it with illegals, and send them back and forth, til they beg to return home!


YES, MORE MORE!:rolleyes: Do you eat paste?

[LosAngelesSooner]

The rail system is a great idea that we should have done 30 years ago.

Spend a little time in Europe and then try complaining about the trains being a bad idea. They freakin' rock. The metro in Paris is A-MAZING. And the high speed rail is fantastic. And their short jumper flights are WAY cheaper than ours are over here BECAUSE of the trains competing with them.

I'd think a "republican" would be all in favor of a little competition, Rush.

[SicEmBaylor]

In all honesty, rail travel has been a real boondoggle in this country.

I've seen and read some really neat ideas concerning high-speed rail travel in this country, and it'd be great if it became popular. However, there is simply no evidence that high-speed rail would be popular enough to justify its existence. It's like Amtrak now. I'm just really not interested in subsidizing the travel of a relatively small number of people especially when it costs as much as it does.

The best thing to do is probably start off very small by connecting major cities that are located close together that has a lot of commuter traffic between the two cities.

[SicEmBaylor]

The rail system is a great idea that we should have done 30 years ago.

Spend a little time in Europe and then try complaining about the trains being a bad idea. They freakin' rock. The metro in Paris is A-MAZING. And the high speed rail is fantastic. And their short jumper flights are WAY cheaper than ours are over here BECAUSE of the trains competing with them.

I'd think a "republican" would be all in favor of a little competition, Rush.

I wouldn't call the Paris Metro "amazing."

The problem is that European travel culture is very very different than ours. A good rail system makes a lot more sense over there for any number of reasons but mostly because you're dealing with a much smaller geographical area. Getting on a train from Paris to Berlin isn't like getting on a train from D.C. to LA or even Dallas.

[fadada1]

they need one of those "mail tube" things from NYC to LA. get yourself in a capsule with a pepsi and bag of peanuts, and SWOOSH!!! you're in LA in like an hour!!!

[delhalew]

In all honesty, rail travel has been a real boondoggle in this country.

I've seen and read some really neat ideas concerning high-speed rail travel in this country, and it'd be great if it became popular. However, there is simply no evidence that high-speed rail would be popular enough to justify its existence. It's like Amtrak now. I'm just really not interested in subsidizing the travel of a relatively small number of people especially when it costs as much as it does.

The best thing to do is probably start off very small by connecting major cities that are located close together that has a lot of commuter traffic between the two cities.

My thoughts exactly. I would think some successful private business be better suited for this task if there is intrest.

I would like for someone to acknowledge that we have no funds as a nation and should be stripping away debt rather than adding to it.

[SicEmBaylor]

I would like for someone to acknowledge that we have no funds as a nation and should be stripping away debt rather than adding to it.

Yeah, now this is 110% true.

[1890MilesToNorman]

We could have gone with rail from coast to coast for what was wasted at the Big Dig in Boston!!!

Greedy Mofo's ended up lining their swimming pools with tiles destined for that project. Oh wait, it must have been on the up and up since only Union MoFo's could work on the project.

I'll pass on this scheme.

[TUSooner]

I see the point that this rail deal is gub'ment trying to force a market. And the timing doesn't seem to good for a huge and iffy venture like this.

That said. I HATE flying, and would love to be able to ride a decent, convenient, and not too expensive train. When I asked some experienced folks about riding Amtrak to a couple of places last year, they said it's neither decent nor inexpensive. And I could tell from the schedules that it wasn't convenient either.
So basically, I got nuthin!

[jaux]

Trains are good in metro areas but they usually get paid for by the folks who don't use them. ex: SEPTA in Phila and METRO in DC

[LosAngelesSooner]

I wouldn't call the Paris Metro "amazing."

The problem is that European travel culture is very very different than ours. A good rail system makes a lot more sense over there for any number of reasons but mostly because you're dealing with a much smaller geographical area. Getting on a train from Paris to Berlin isn't like getting on a train from D.C. to LA or even Dallas.I would.

The Paris and Moscow metros are arguably the best metro systems in the world. They are simply amazing to use, convenient and extremely cheap.

They make NYC and Hong Kong look like tiny in comparison.

And "culture-smulture" we could learn a lot of things from our neighbors around the world. I say cherry pick the best ideas and make the U.S. the best in the world once again.

[LosAngelesSooner]

And they are proposing to do exactly what you guys are saying, start with limited high speed trails in metro areas and high commuter areas and slowly expand. Look at the map of the proposed lines.

I can tell you that the Tulsa/OKC/Dallas/Houston metro would be used A LOT. As would the San Fran/L.A./San Diego one and the ones in the NE corridor.

They'd pay for themselves...and maybe change our culture enough so we could get decent metro systems in our cities, as well.

P.S. - if any of you ever have a bit of coin to drop and want a REALLY good time, take the Rocky Mountain express from the Grand Canyon, up through the Rockies to Yellowstone. Simply an AMAZING and relaxing ride.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Japan has had 'em since the sixties...

Even Britain and China are ahead of us on this one now. And China is the same size as the US.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/28/inside-obamas-plan-to-spe_n_440594.html

[Chuck Bao]

The Hong Kong system is tiny because Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories isn't very large. The train to Lantau Island and the new airport and Disney Resort is just tremendous. I love the fact that you can check your airline bags in on Hong Kong Island and don't have to lug the bags onto the train.

What they did and we can learn from is that the Hong Kong government granted the MTR and the KCR land and they built on it, making a profit in the early phases. Normally, the pay-back period on mass transit systems would be 30 years or more. But, if they make the stations larger to accommodate commercial space, afforded land to sell off to commercial developments and build large enough parking garages for park-and-ride, you can turn a mass transit system profitable much sooner.

If a newly-built mass transit system is to remain affordable and viable, it isn't about fares. It is about rent and profiting off of commuters in other ways.

[SicEmBaylor]

What they did and we can learn from is that the Hong Kong government granted the MTR and the KCR land and they built on it

This is one of my bigger concerns about laying down new rail.

[Viking Kitten]

Kiss the OKC-Tulsa corridor goodbye for now, LAS. ODOT applied for $2 billion in stimulus money to get that project going along with improvements to the Heartland Flyer line. We just found out today they got turned down.

Personally I enjoyed rail travel in Europe, especially when I took the Eurostar from Paris to London. I would use the hell out of rail if it were available here.

[SicEmBaylor]

Kiss the OKC-Tulsa corridor goodbye for now, LAS. ODOT applied for $2 billion in stimulus money to get that project going along with improvements to the Heartland Flyer line. We just found out today they got turned down.

Why should the Federal government provide money for an INTRAstate rail system between OKC-Tulsa? Stimulus money or not -- the taxpayers in other states shouldn't have to subsidize an intrastate rail line.

Now, if it were from Tulsa to Little Rock or OKC to say Denver then that's another matter entirely.

[GKeeper316]

COOL, huh? The antithesis of supply and demand. We can fill it with illegals, and send them back and forth, til they beg to return home!

back in the 50s greyhound (who already had bus trans cornered) and the airline industry started buying up large amounts of amtrac stock and then almost let the company die.

[GKeeper316]

Why should the Federal government provide money for an INTRAstate rail system between OKC-Tulsa? Stimulus money or not -- the taxpayers in other states shouldn't have to subsidize an intrastate rail line.

Now, if it were from Tulsa to Little Rock or OKC to say Denver then that's another matter entirely.

because thats what we do with federal tax dollars. some of the money you paid in taxes last year built bridges and roads in other states.

[SCOUT]

I can tell you that the Tulsa/OKC/Dallas/Houston metro would be used A LOT. As would the San Fran/L.A./San Diego one and the ones in the NE corridor.
.

It has been my opinion for a long time that a Dallas to Houston rail would be wildly successful. It would hurt Southwest Airlines, but advances often have casualties.

I have made the flight from Houston to Dallas several hundred times and the flights are almost always full. If I could hop on a train, work during the ride, and jump off in Houston, I would do that in a heartbeat instead of flying.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Kiss the OKC-Tulsa corridor goodbye for now, LAS. ODOT applied for $2 billion in stimulus money to get that project going along with improvements to the Heartland Flyer line. We just found out today they got turned down.

Personally I enjoyed rail travel in Europe, especially when I took the Eurostar from Paris to London. I would use the hell out of rail if it were available here.That sucks for you guys. But it'll hopefully happen eventually.

The one in Cali will get used like crazy...

[Chuck Bao]

This is one of my bigger concerns about laying down new rail.

Why would that be a concern? Unless there are commercial developments at the stations, it is not going to work at all. Property values around the stations go up nearly double. Why would you object to allowing that to pay off some of the cost of building the damn thing and keeping fares low? Building a mass transit system is a win/win if done right, in my opinion. Typically, there is a lot of private construction around the stations so the investment in the system is multiplied, as each station is added and traffic grows.

Okay, I have only analysed Hong Kong and Bangkok, two very densely populated areas.

[Viking Kitten]

Why should the Federal government provide money for an INTRAstate rail system between OKC-Tulsa? Stimulus money or not -- the taxpayers in other states shouldn't have to subsidize an intrastate rail line.

Now, if it were from Tulsa to Little Rock or OKC to say Denver then that's another matter entirely.

The proposed project would have immediately connected Tulsa with Fort Worth, and would have formed the basis for an eventual connection with points east.

[SCOUT]

Why would that be a concern? Unless there are commercial developments at the stations, it is not going to work at all. Property values around the stations go up nearly double. Why would you object to allowing that to pay off some of the cost of building the damn thing and keeping fares low? Building a mass transit system is a win/win if done right, in my opinion. Typically, there is a lot of private construction around the stations so the investment in the system is multiplied, as each station is added and traffic grows.

Okay, I have only analysed Hong Kong and Bangkok, two very densely populated areas.

I tend to agree with you, but your picture may be a bit too rosy. I am in favor of rail systems, but your ancillary benefits are pipe dreams for the most part. I am sure that there are places in the world where a train makes a beautiful urban area, but that is an exception. For the most part the scene from The Blues Brothers is more accurate. The L rolling past tenements is the reality of a train. People like the convenience of a train but don't want to have one near them. Contradictory I know, but I have found that to be the reality.

[SCOUT]

The proposed project would have immediately connected Tulsa with Fort Worth, and would have formed the basis for an eventual connection with points east.

I have wondered about this lately. Why Fort Worth? I recognize that there are existing rails there but if you are going to move people, why would you bypass a top city like Dallas? It is like building a rail from Ada to OKC. Sure there are some people who would use it, but wouldn't Tulsa make more sense?

[MR2-Sooner86]

I don't see what the big deal is. The average speed of a commercial airline is 500 mph and from what I hear they're already having test runs on some trains hitting close to 400 mph. You have a nuclear powered electronic train system then that's a ton of fuel you can save on airplanes.

The ONLY con I can see to this is if it goes cross country. What safety measures would be put in place? I mean a train going from New York to L.A. at 400 mph across the country sounds like a major disaster waiting to happen. Keep it underground? Build it on bridges?

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Trains are good in metro areas but they usually get paid for by the folks who don't use them. ex: SEPTA in Phila and METRO in DCThe dems jammed thru a Light Rail system here in metro Phoenix, and it's being used just like the bus system. IOW very little. Since the city and state have been hammered by the mortgage/economy crash, further plans for even more Lt rail are on hold...the state govt. has resisted printing money, so far.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

The ONLY con I can see to this is if it goes cross country. What safety measures would be put in place? I mean a train going from New York to L.A. at 400 mph across the country sounds like a major disaster waiting to happen. Keep it underground? Build it on bridges?Yes, both. We could pay for it by cuts in the military budget.

[homerSimpsonsBrain]

..... I think my new job will be watching porno and eating cheetos. I am confident few of you will have any problem with that....

Make sure when you go to the doc that you dont forget to tell him about the cheetos when he asks why your tool is orange.


:D

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Make sure when you go to the doc that you dont forget to tell him about the cheetos when he asks why your tool is orange.


:DThat, and why was the power source for the high speed rail not discussed? Is it nuclear, petroleum, coal(haha), or cheetos? maybe wind...or wind-driven cheetos?

[Chuck Bao]

I tend to agree with you, but your picture may be a bit too rosy. I am in favor of rail systems, but your ancillary benefits are pipe dreams for the most part. I am sure that there are places in the world where a train makes a beautiful urban area, but that is an exception. For the most part the scene from The Blues Brothers is more accurate. The L rolling past tenements is the reality of a train. People like the convenience of a train but don't want to have one near them. Contradictory I know, but I have found that to be the reality.

You may very well be right about the US. In Bangkok, they are building large condo projects around the skytrain system. It is a blight in that the large concrete station platforms are built over the roads and auto exhaust fumes are pretty unbearable underneath them. But, the new electric trains are pretty quiet and I live a city block away from a station. The new skytrain and subway systems have been remarkable successes in my opinion. Everyone benefits by easing traffic congestion, the ability to get from one side of Bangkok to the other side relatively quickly and lower imports on oil.

[LosAngelesSooner]

That, and why was the power source for the high speed rail not discussed? Is it nuclear, petroleum, coal(haha), or cheetos? maybe wind...or wind-driven cheetos?
So, are the Cheetos why you're full of hot air? :pop:

[Ardmore_Sooner]

So, are the Cheetos why you're full of hot air? :pop:

Noob. That's only flaming hot cheetos. ;)

[LosAngelesSooner]

Noob? :rolleyes:

[delhalew]

Imminent domain...woohoo!

[Stitch Face]

Noob? :rolleyes:

Touchy tonight, or is your sarcasm meter in the shop?

[Frozen Sooner]

Imminent domain...woohoo!

Psst. Eminent. :D

[LosAngelesSooner]

Touchy tonight, or is your sarcasm meter in the shop?Touchy? :rolleyes:

[delhalew]

Psst. Eminent. :D
Lol:D
I'm boned without spellcheck.

[Crucifax Autumn]

Spellcheck wouldn't have saved you there anyway.

[delhalew]

Spellcheck wouldn't have saved you there anyway.

I'm not that bad. I just get in a hurry. I like how the software tells you you're wrong. Then after a little thought, I can figure it out. When I'm on the blackberry I screw up basic words. I've never been a texter and I have meaty fingers.

[Frozen Sooner]

Yeah, you and me both. What he was getting at was imminent is a real word, so spell check wouldn't have caught it. I don't know why, but homonyms bug me.

[Crucifax Autumn]

All I meant is that spellcheck doesn't help if your misspelling makes it another word.

[Veritas]

Who gives a **** if it's a good idea or not? Where in the holy **** are we going to get the money? This ******* is already trying to convene panels to deal with the ****load of debt he's stacked on and now he wants to borrow more to build a magic train?

[delhalew]

Who gives a **** if it's a good idea or not? Where in the holy **** are we going to get the money? This ******* is already trying to convene panels to deal with the ****load of debt he's stacked on and now he wants to borrow more to build a magic train?

B-I-N-G-O

[Crucifax Autumn]

Dude...If it's a magic train I'm all for it. That would be even cooler than a Soul Train!

[1890MilesToNorman]

All I meant is that spellcheck doesn't help if your misspelling makes it another word.

Why you so mean Crux? Dang

A for affort

[SoonerKnight]

If our tax dollars pay for its constuction will I be able to ride for free.

I should say YOUR tax dollars as I am looking to make the transition from a producer to a recipient. I think my new job will be playing Xbox and eating cheetos. I am confident few of you will have any problem with that.
Would it help if I double the number of children in my home? Its too late for me to be an illegal...err...undocumented immigrant or a minority. I could go get a drug problem.

Oh well. Just spit balling.

Perhaps, you need a history lesson! Tax dollars paid for the rail system that was built in the 1800's and if we want to improve on it we will have to spend tax dollars again. I think it would be a good idea. Man imagine being able to go somewhere other than Dallas on a train! What a concept. The reason passenger rail is not popular is because it cannot compete with air travel but a efficient high speed rail system could!!

[Crucifax Autumn]

Everytime I take a train anywhere people call me a hobo.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Yeah, you and me both. What he was getting at was imminent is a real word, so spell check wouldn't have caught it. I don't know why, but homonyms bug me.

Homonymphobe.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Who gives a **** if it's a good idea or not? Where in the holy **** are we going to get the money? This ******* is already trying to convene panels to deal with the ****load of debt he's stacked on and now he wants to borrow more to build a magic train?

What's the old business saying? You've gotta spend money to make money? This project would create a **** ton of jobs, generate a ton of money and help both the environment and our economy. It's a no brainer that should have happened 30 years ago.

[Crucifax Autumn]

This dude here really likes him some high speed rail:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/donnelly13/man-snorting-cocaine-2.jpg

[Veritas]

It's a no brainer that should have happened 30 years ago.
Yeah, well YOU'RE a no-brainer than happened 30 or so years ago.

BOOYAH!!!!11

;)

[LosAngelesSooner]

Yeah, well YOU'RE a no-brainer than happened 35 or so years ago.

BOOYAH!!!!11

;)Fixed.

:D

[Frozen Sooner]

Yeah, well YOU'RE a no-brainer than happened 30 or so years ago.

BOOYAH!!!!11

;)

SO'S YOUR FACE!

[jkjsooner]

My thoughts exactly. I would think some successful private business be better suited for this task if there is intrest.


Private businesses typically have a very short timeline to achieve profitability. They don't deal well with huge expenditures that may take decades to pay for themselves. That seems to be more true every year as our companies continue to look for even more immediate gratification. (Just look at the financial crisis and you'll see many companies ignore long term health for short term profit.)

IMO, these are areas where government can play a role. It worked well for the rural areas when they received water and electricity.

I'm not endorsing this plan; I am simply arguing that sometimes government can play a role.

[jkjsooner]

When I asked some experienced folks about riding Amtrak to a couple of places last year, they said it's neither decent nor inexpensive. And I could tell from the schedules that it wasn't convenient either.

That may be true where you are but in the northeast the Amtrak line is extremely popular and convenient. It's more expensive than flying but much more convenient

[jkjsooner]

The ONLY con I can see to this is if it goes cross country. What safety measures would be put in place? I mean a train going from New York to L.A. at 400 mph across the country sounds like a major disaster waiting to happen. Keep it underground? Build it on bridges?

This would seem to be a major concern. It would seem to be a terrorist's dream.

We don't have to put nearly the effort into securing our current rail systems because they are relatively slow. It doesn't take much to kill everyone on a plane. On a lower speed train, even if you cause a derailment it's generally not nearly as destructive as a plane crash.

Now you add in 400 mph trains and any small incident could be catastrophic. If we would have to go through airport type security every time we board one of these trains then much of the benefit of travelling by rail would be lost. Plus, as you said you now have to secure not only the train but all of the rails.

[bluedogok]

It has been my opinion for a long time that a Dallas to Houston rail would be wildly successful. It would hurt Southwest Airlines, but advances often have casualties.

I have made the flight from Houston to Dallas several hundred times and the flights are almost always full. If I could hop on a train, work during the ride, and jump off in Houston, I would do that in a heartbeat instead of flying.
The Texas based airlines (Southwest, America & Continental) effectively killed the Texas TGV that was proposed in the early 90's.

We we travel in the northeast we never rent a car, we take the subways/trains to get everywhere and it is nice. We took Amtrak from Boston to Mystic once for a day trip, we thought it was a great way to travel.

[Scott D]

Some of you should look into the information about the conspiracy to destroy mass transit in this country decades ago, and the minor slaps on the wrist the government gave to the entities responsible. Their goal was to destroy mass transit to the degree that America would be forced to rely on the automobile.

I'm pretty sure the main entity in that endeavor not only took bailout money last year, but is now on it's 3rd CEO since taking that money.

[olevetonahill]

If this includes a High Speed Drunky Train Im all for it.:D

[Crucifax Autumn]

Heh...The whole posse would be standing in the aisle and jumping straight up seeing if they land further back.

[olevetonahill]

Heh...The whole posse would be standing in the aisle and jumping straight up seeing if they land further back.
Amongst other acts of drunkeness and debauchery :D

[Crucifax Autumn]

I wonder how fast the cops would arrive if every member was in the same place at the same time with a truckload of booze...

[LosAngelesSooner]

This would seem to be a major concern. It would seem to be a terrorist's dream.

We don't have to put nearly the effort into securing our current rail systems because they are relatively slow. It doesn't take much to kill everyone on a plane. On a lower speed train, even if you cause a derailment it's generally not nearly as destructive as a plane crash.

Now you add in 400 mph trains and any small incident could be catastrophic. If we would have to go through airport type security every time we board one of these trains then much of the benefit of travelling by rail would be lost. Plus, as you said you now have to secure not only the train but all of the rails.BOY that's a lot of fear mongering, don't you think? I mean...terrorists hit other countries too, ones with high speed rail...and they haven't blowed up one of the High Speed trains yet. :pop:

[LosAngelesSooner]

I think they should build it...and then play Crazy Train every time the train leaves a station...

[olevetonahill]

BOY that's a lot of fear mongering, don't you think? I mean...terrorists hit other countries too, ones with high speed rail...and they haven't blowed up one of the High Speed trains yet. :pop:

True , But dint they spread some kinda ANTHRAX er somepun on the Jap train ?

[LosAngelesSooner]

You mean the Tokyo subway attack in 1995?

That was SARIN GAS dispersed in the closed in Tokyo subway stations and only 12 people died. 50 people were hurt. It was 5 separate attacks, all coordinated to get the maximum effect, and it still wasn't anything close to what my peers in Hollywood would have you believe a Sarin Gas attack would do if Jack Bauer didn't stop it.

[Scott D]

well there you go, the problem is that Japan doesn't have it's own Jack Bauer. Sonny Chiba isn't getting any younger, and Toshiro Mifune has been dead for 12 years. And Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa just looks slightly too evil.

[sooner_born_1960]

If it's such a great idea, why hasn't a commercial entity stepped up and built this thing?

[jkjsooner]

BOY that's a lot of fear mongering, don't you think? I mean...terrorists hit other countries too, ones with high speed rail...and they haven't blowed up one of the High Speed trains yet. :pop:

I think you need to re-read my post. I wasn't trying to spread fear. I was just bringing up concerns for the sake of discussion. I think I've done my share of supporting rail systems and government support of infrastructure projects in this thread.

The fact is, I would be concerned in trying to secure a rail system that approached 400 mph. Also, to my knowledge, today's high speed trains do not approach that speed except for a few test systems - one of which failed miserably in Germany a few years ago.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

If it's such a great idea, why hasn't a commercial entity stepped up and built this thing?HEY! this is a GUBMIT thread, bubba. Capitalism is on the way out...

[Viking Kitten]

The fact is, I would be concerned in trying to secure a rail system that approached 400 mph. Also, to my knowledge, today's high speed trains do not approach that speed except for a few test systems - one of which failed miserably in Germany a few years ago.

I think the maglev trains are capable of getting that speed, however, we aren't likely to get those here because it be too costly to essentially completely rebuild all the rail infrastructure in the country. What we would have are conventional electric high-speed trains, and those average around 150 mph, I believe.

[C&CDean]

Count me out. Mass transit is for lemmings and losers. The only place it's remotely feasible in this country is large metro areas, and they've all got their versions of a "train."

The most depressing 3 years of my life were the ones spent detailing in the Washington, DC area. Joining all the other lifeless souls on the Metro every morning and afternoon being squeezed in like sardines day after day living my life like a ****ing bat in a cave.

I had an apartment in Crystal City and worked in L'Enfant Plaza. It was dark when I walked over to the Metro stop in the Marriott basement, and dark when I got off work and rode it back. It did go above ground to cross the Potomac, but it was always dark during the winter months. I had to just go outside on the weekends and walk so I could absorb some sunshine and air. Hated it.

Okies are way too independent to ever have something like this work. Yes, we've got our liberals and lazy folks who just wanna sit and let somebody else do the driving, but most Okies prefer the independence that comes with jumping in your car or truck and going where you want, when you want. It was always so refreshing when that plane touched down at Will Rogers, and I walked to the parking garage and got into my truck and started driving towards home. I was FREE! No longer a hostage in a grimy train with thousands of women wearing dresses and tennis shoes.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Okies are way too independent to ever have something like this work. Yes, we've got our liberals and lazy folks who just wanna sit and let somebody else do the driving, but most Okies prefer the independence that comes with jumping in your car or truck and going where you want, when you want. It was always so refreshing when that plane touched down at Will Rogers, and I walked to the parking garage and got into my truck and started driving towards home. I was FREE! No longer a hostage in a grimy train with thousands of women wearing dresses and tennis shoes.

Amen.

When I go somewhere, I want to go there on MY terms, at MY expense, with MY hands on the wheel. If I want to stop and take a dump, buy a collectible spoon at Love's, or get another pack of beef jerky, I can do it. If I want to pull over and bask in purple mountain majesty or the glow of the fruited plain, I can do it. And when I get to where I'm going, I'm pleased with the fact that I can punch out any time I want.

As you turn the key, rub the dashboard for luck, and coax your baby out onto the street, there's nothing between you and the world but flat, black asphalt. Inviting you. Daring you. Begging you to come taste a little slice of freedom with a side of discovery.

[C&CDean]

I'm ..... all...... verklempt.....

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Amen.

When I go somewhere, I want to go there on MY terms, at MY expense, with MY hands on the wheel. If I want to stop and take a dump, buy a collectible spoon at Love's, or get another pack of beef jerky, I can do it. If I want to pull over and bask in purple mountain majesty or the glow of the fruited plain, I can do it. And when I get to where I'm going, I'm pleased with the fact that I can punch out any time I want.

As you turn the key, rub the dashboard for luck, and coax your baby out onto the street, there's nothing between you and the world but flat, black asphalt. Inviting you. Daring you. Begging you to come taste a little slice of freedom with a side of discovery.ASTONISHING!(who wrote the above?)

[1890MilesToNorman]

The only train I wanna get on is going to the Shady Rest Hotel, I'm tired of paying all this money fer **** I don't need or use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd9WJNy7B9s

[LosAngelesSooner]

Dean...Dean...Dean (and Fireman). Sounds like you're confusing a ****ty job with a ride on the Metro, to me.

You could easily have said, "Joining all the other lifeless souls on the gridlocked highway every morning and afternoon being squeezed in like sardines day after day in stop and go traffic living my life like a ****ing cow in a chute."

And it's also funny that you have huge problems with someone "driving for you," but felt "free" when you were on an AIRPLANE. Unless you were Captain Deany Deanoburger on Southwest Flight "Freedom from DC," then you're full of it. ;)

Trains are great. You can sit down and eat, check the Internet, get some work done, read a book take a nap, EFF Mrs. Deano in the bathroom, etc, while you journey. If you SEE "Purple Mountain's Majesty," guess what? YOU GET OFF THE TRAIN...buy some beef jerky at the Lowe's Train Station, bask like a mofo in the glory of the mountains or the glow of the "Fruited Plain" and then get on the next damn train.

You freakin' people...so scared of a little damn change, even when it makes sense.

Besides, it's not like anybody would be making you turn in your damn F-350s...and the price of gasoline would go DOWN so you could drive around even more in bigger trucks that get even worse gas mileage.

Sounds like a redneck's dream. :D

[StoopTroup]

Pd9WJNy7B9s

[1890MilesToNorman]

You freakin' people...so scared of a little damn change, even when it makes sense.

We freakin people want to live within our means, even when it makes sense.

[StoopTroup]

I thought we wanted to be able to start our own businesses without the fear of being driven out of business due to slip and falls.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Joo vill buy ze train and joo vill LIKE EET!

[LosAngelesSooner]

We freakin people want to live within our means, even when it makes sense.Nobody is asking you not to.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

DON'T FORCE YOUR COMMIE TRAIN ON ME

[LosAngelesSooner]

JRbPWcLode0

[Tulsa_Fireman]

kK1wshMPIso

[C&CDean]

Dean...Dean...Dean (and Fireman). Sounds like you're confusing a ****ty job with a ride on the Metro, to me.

You could easily have said, "Joining all the other lifeless souls on the gridlocked highway every morning and afternoon being squeezed in like sardines day after day in stop and go traffic living my life like a ****ing cow in a chute."

And it's also funny that you have huge problems with someone "driving for you," but felt "free" when you were on an AIRPLANE. Unless you were Captain Deany Deanoburger on Southwest Flight "Freedom from DC," then you're full of it. ;)

Trains are great. You can sit down and eat, check the Internet, get some work done, read a book take a nap, EFF Mrs. Deano in the bathroom, etc, while you journey. If you SEE "Purple Mountain's Majesty," guess what? YOU GET OFF THE TRAIN...buy some beef jerky at the Lowe's Train Station, bask like a mofo in the glory of the mountains or the glow of the "Fruited Plain" and then get on the next damn train.

You freakin' people...so scared of a little damn change, even when it makes sense.

Besides, it's not like anybody would be making you turn in your damn F-350s...and the price of gasoline would go DOWN so you could drive around even more in bigger trucks that get even worse gas mileage.

Sounds like a redneck's dream. :D

You are so wrong on so many counts I can't count them. First, I ****ing hate airline travel. Love flying, hate airlines. I only do it because I don't have the time to drive to DC, Boston, Miami, etc. every week.

I ride the Metro when I'm in God-forsaken places like DC, NY, etc. because it's much easier to get around. When I'm in Baltimore, LA, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, KC, St. Louis, Chicago though, it's a rental. Why? Cause I work in Columbia and I ain't waiting for a bus with all the other non-English speaking hotel maids and handy-men. I will say that while in Chicago I usually do park my rental at the hotel and walk or catch a cab when I'm working downtown.

You choose to live in a place with grid-locked highways. I don't. I've got three 4-way stopsigns between work and my house, it's 35 miles, and I drive it every day there ain't ice in about 30-minutes. I couldn't even drive somewhere, park the truck, and catch a train in 30-minutes.

I'll say it again. Riding a train every day is for lemmings and losers or people who are stuck in big cities. A commuter train in OK will NEVER work.

[LosAngelesSooner]

"Lemmings and losers." *sigh* Dean...Dean...Dean... Just because some of us like a little excitement in our lives instead of the highest extent of change on the morning commute being "Hey, Bessie's looking a little sick. I'd better call Farmer Al when I get home" doesn't make any of us "Godforsaken city-folk" lemmings or losers. You didn't hear me passing judgment or acting superior regarding YOUR lifestyle choice, did you? Different strokes. And as far as LA goes, we're in the middle of building a new train that goes to the beach and LAX...and I PROMISE you it'll be paid off in 5-10 years. Thing is gonna get used until worn down to the axles.

[C&CDean]

So, which one are you?

[LosAngelesSooner]

Oh, Dean...

[Tulsa_Fireman]

The base logistics of mass commuter rail doesn't jive in these parts.

The inflexibility of the system and urban sprawl, both commercial and residential, doesn't allow for the cost-effectiveness of the system in a population such as Tulsa, for example. Mass transit fails as it is with bussing in my neck of the woods, and the sheer flexibility of routes for coverage allows you to cover the most trafficked areas of the city. So why does it fail? Why are busses empty?

To do everything else they need to do, the population needs PERSONAL transportation. To take the kids to daycare. To buy groceries. Et cetera. In a more densely populated region, this may not be a concern. But for this region, mass transit fails because of these inflexibilities compared to having a personal means of transportation.

[C&CDean]

You ride your train. I'll drive my truck. We'll see who gets there first, and how much it costs. Yes, you can pone Mrs. LAS in the nasty ****house with schmeg drippings all over the floor from the last two dudes who did a butt-plunge in there all you want. Mrs. Dean will just be giving me some nice highway relief at 85 mph.

I like my situation better. Sorry.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Well of course. Why are you confusing the proposed high speed rail systems with urban Metro systems? Nobody is saying "Tulsa needs a subway." Duh. (though, if Tulsa ever plans on growing up and becoming a big city like Chicago, it wouldn't hurt to be AHEAD of the curve instead of behind it). This convo is about high speed rail linking cities together. So you could jump on a train in LA and be in Vegas in 1.5 hours...drunk as a skunk...and back home the same night to pass out in your own bed. Sounds good to me! :D

[LosAngelesSooner]

You ride your train. I'll drive my truck. We'll see who gets there first, and how much it costs. Yes, you can pone Mrs. LAS in the nasty ****house with schmeg drippings all over the floor from the last two dudes who did a butt-plunge in there all you want. Mrs. Dean will just be giving me some nice highway relief at 85 mph.

I like my situation better. Sorry.

Uhm...if TEXTING while driving is illegal now...:D

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Why?

You want competition with air travel that already competes with itself that the government subsidizes? How's that working for Amtrak again?

Think giant whirlpool that eats tax money, just like every other incarnation of this earhumpingly crappy idea. Just because you want to go to Vegas drunk.

Wow.

[yermom]

where is BRJ when you need him? :D

i wouldn't want to commute on a train, but a line from Norman to OKC to Tulsa to KC would be cool

actually, commuting on a train would probably be fine for me at the moment, since i only live 5 minutes from the office, but in DC or Chicago, riding that thing for an hour or more every day both ways would blow

[C&CDean]

Uhm...if TEXTING while driving is illegal now...:D

You mean like the half-dozen or so train drivers who've killed a ****pot of people crashing their trains while texting?

Anyhow, why would I want to text Mrs. Dean and distract her from her highway pleasure duties?

[LosAngelesSooner]

You mean like the half-dozen or so train drivers who've killed a ****pot of people crashing their trains while texting?

Anyhow, why would I want to text Mrs. Dean and distract her from her highway pleasure duties?

Please linky me to the half-dozen or so train drivers who have killed a ****pot of people by crashing their trains while texting. Thanks.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Why?

You want competition with air travel that already competes with itself that the government subsidizes? How's that working for Amtrak again?

Think giant whirlpool that eats tax money, just like every other incarnation of this earhumpingly crappy idea. Just because you want to go to Vegas drunk.

Wow.

Yeah...it's all about me wanting to go to Vegas drunk. Way to mistake the joke for the argument. Besides...I thought you were for capitalism? What's wrong with a little competition? Do you enjoy long security checks and extra baggage fees along with airports that are 45 minutes outside of the city? :rolleyes:

[1890MilesToNorman]

If capitalist thought it was worth while they would have done it already.

[sooner_born_1960]

Yeah...it's all about me wanting to go to Vegas drunk. Way to mistake the joke for the argument. Besides...I thought you were for capitalism? What's wrong with a little competition? Do you enjoy long security checks and extra baggage fees along with airports that are 45 minutes outside of the city? :rolleyes:
Capitalism? So, a company is going to build this thing. I wish them good luck.

[NormanPride]

Any rail system developed now would have to be done on unoccupied land or risk massive cost increases/delays from buying land inside the middle of the city. Then, assuming all this is done, security would be just as tight on trains as it is on airplanes. All it would be is an airplane on the ground and slower with tons of maintenance costs and power requirements. I mean, California already has brownouts in the summer, do they really want to power mag-lev trains as well?

Of course, this is all for the city-connecting type of mass transit. I'm sure there are different issues if local transit is involved.

[yermom]

i don't think you can drive a train into a building or redirect it to Cuba :D

there isn't really any security on AmTrak... other than for tickets

[Condescending Sooner]

Kiss the OKC-Tulsa corridor goodbye for now, LAS. ODOT applied for $2 billion in stimulus money to get that project going along with improvements to the Heartland Flyer line. We just found out today they got turned down.

Personally I enjoyed rail travel in Europe, especially when I took the Eurostar from Paris to London. I would use the hell out of rail if it were available here.

Do you take the train every time you go to Dallas? If not, you are not being truthful about using the system. People need to realize that just because something works in Europe, doesn't mean it is feasible here. Our geography, lifestyles, highway system, and vehicle ownership are vastly different.

[Half a Hundred]

If capitalist thought it was worth while they would have done it already.

No transportation network has started in this country (and pretty much the world) without a massive government subsidy backing it up, from post roads, to the transcontinental railroad, to our airlines, all the way to the Interstate Highway System.

Private companies simply cannot afford the massive initial capital costs associated with creating a means of transportation.

[Crucifax Autumn]

Do you take the train every time you go to Dallas? If not, you are not being truthful about using the system. People need to realize that just because something works in Europe, doesn't mean it is feasible here. Our geography, lifestyles, highway system, and vehicle ownership are vastly different.

You'd think in many ways it would be simpler without having to go through a multitude of different countries.

[NormanPride]

i don't think you can drive a train into a building or redirect it to Cuba :D

there isn't really any security on AmTrak... other than for tickets

No, but you can take it hostage or blow it up. :)

[LosAngelesSooner]

No transportation network has started in this country (and pretty much the world) without a massive government subsidy backing it up, from post roads, to the transcontinental railroad, to our airlines, all the way to the Interstate Highway System.

Private companies simply cannot afford the massive initial capital costs associated with creating a means of transportation.

No ****. LOL Half these guys probably think that private companies built all the airports and runways and air traffic control systems. Knee jerk reactions without being informed, guys...you're blindly falling for the party line...yet again.

[yermom]

You'd think in many ways it would be simpler without having to go through a multitude of different countries.

the other thing is that gas, cars and parking are cheaper here... we are also more spread out

and the train to Dallas really goes to Ft. Worth, which kinda blows. i've never taken it, but partially because i'd have to take a train to Dallas and then i'd have to get to Carrollton or Plano, or somewhere else once i get there.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Any rail system developed now would have to be done on unoccupied land or risk massive cost increases/delays from buying land inside the middle of the city. Then, assuming all this is done, security would be just as tight on trains as it is on airplanes. All it would be is an airplane on the ground and slower with tons of maintenance costs and power requirements. I mean, California already has brownouts in the summer, do they really want to power mag-lev trains as well?

Of course, this is all for the city-connecting type of mass transit. I'm sure there are different issues if local transit is involved.

We had one summer of Brown Outs under Grey Davis...and none since then. And the proposal would include solar power, among other green power sources, being built in order to help power the trains. This IS gonna happen in Cali and in the NE Corridor, folks. I'd "jump on the train" while you've got the chance. ;)

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

the other thing is that gas, cars and parking are cheaper here... we are also more spread out

and the train to Dallas really goes to Ft. Worth, which kinda blows. i've never taken it, but partially because i'd have to take a train to Dallas and then i'd have to get to Carrollton or Plano, or somewhere else once i get there.You orta just stay in Ft Worth. It would be so much easier.(nice national "investment", eh?...snicker)

[NormanPride]

We had one summer of Brown Outs under Grey Davis...and none since then. And the proposal would include solar power, among other green power sources, being built in order to help power the trains. This IS gonna happen in Cali and in the NE Corridor, folks. I'd "jump on the train" while you've got the chance. ;)

It's much more feasible where there's a higher population density. Oklahoma isn't known for that. :)

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

It's much more feasible where there's a higher population density. Oklahoma isn't known for that. :)Oklahoma could be given back to the Native Americans. That would be fair and just, and would save money by not having to build the NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAIL into such a podunk, redneck, red-state place, anyways.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Oklahoma could be given back to the Native Americans. That would be fair and just, and would save money by not having to build the NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAIL into such a podunk, redneck, red-state place, anyways.

Do you HATE America? Seriously, man...you're so anti-America it curdles milk in the next room.

[Viking Kitten]

Do you take the train every time you go to Dallas? If not, you are not being truthful about using the system. People need to realize that just because something works in Europe, doesn't mean it is feasible here. Our geography, lifestyles, highway system, and vehicle ownership are vastly different.

Since you don't know jack s**t about my traveling habits I'd say you're ill-prepared to make any kind of assessment about what I may or may not be being "truthful" about. As it happens, I frequently travel to NYC and Baltimore/DC because I have family in both cities. I have no need for a car when in either of those cities, so I would love to get there by rail were that an option.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Jesus H. Christ, people.

Have you NOT seen Under Siege II!?

TRAINS WILL KILL US ALL!

[sooner_born_1960]

I'd love to travel by riverboat. Maybe someone should get to work on a canal connecting all the cities I might want to travel to.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

But because it can't be done with investment capital, we'll need some government intervention to pay for the giant ditch we'll have to dig.

[sooner_born_1960]

Did you miss the part where I said I love to travel that way? That's all that really matters.

[NormanPride]

I'd love to travel by riverboat. Maybe someone should get to work on a canal connecting all the cities I might want to travel to.

Hardcore environmentalists would bitch because the boats would impact the ecosystems of the water fart salamander in the canals we made.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Jesus H. Christ, people.

Have you NOT seen: The Car Duel Trucks Maximum Overdrive Christine Black Cadillac The Wraith The Hearse and Monster Man!?

CARS WILL KILL US ALL!

Fixed. ;)

[sooner_born_1960]

But, I'd love to travel by riverboat.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Did you miss the part where I said I love to travel that way? That's all that really matters.

Wow. NEVER enter an archery contest.

[C&CDean]

Wait. Now LAS has turned this into a partisan issue? You don't want a rail system in OK and you're a right-wing weirdo? Please.

It ain't about left or right. It's about what makes sense. Building a mega-rail system in Oklahoma makes about as much sense as bringing back the pony express. You simply do not have enough people to support it. Yes, it'd be nice to jump a train in Norman on Friday afternoon (as long as it has a bar) and shoot up to Tulsa for dinner and some more drinks, then shoot back to Norman (as long as the bar is still open). However, it ain't happening. For all the reasons people listed ($$, feasibility, etc.). It's OK to wish and dream, but calling people against it partisan hacks is Tuba stupid.

[sooner_born_1960]

Really. I thought the point was that a lot (maybe even hundreds) of people would like to travel by rail. Thus, it wouldn't require tax payer subsidies.

[NormanPride]

Hundreds of people paying with welfare checks. :D

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Hundreds of people paying with welfare checks. :DBut...not ENOUGH tax dollars(welfare checks) to pay for the govt. subsidy that is the NATIONAL HIGH-SPEED RAIL. What a shame...LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!

[LosAngelesSooner]

Wait. Now LAS has turned this into a partisan issue? You don't want a rail system in OK and you're a right-wing weirdo? Please.

It ain't about left or right. It's about what makes sense. Building a mega-rail system in Oklahoma makes about as much sense as bringing back the pony express. You simply do not have enough people to support it. Yes, it'd be nice to jump a train in Norman on Friday afternoon (as long as it has a bar) and shoot up to Tulsa for dinner and some more drinks, then shoot back to Norman (as long as the bar is still open). However, it ain't happening. For all the reasons people listed ($$, feasibility, etc.). It's OK to wish and dream, but calling people against it partisan hacks is Tuba stupid.

I...I turned this into a partisan issue?!?! LMFAO. May I direct your attention to the first post in this thread?! LOL :D

[LosAngelesSooner]

And by the way, I'm the one saying I understand why OK was passed over on this round in favor of Cali and the NE Corridor. HOWEVER, a high speed rail system that links Chicago to St. Louis to OKC to D/FW to Houston to New Orleans would be a wonderful thing and would generate a LOT of money for all the states involved.

[Veritas]

Trains in highly populous areas aren't an awful idea. If I could hop a high speed train from Dallas to Houston/San Antonio/Austin than deal with the cluster**** of commercial airline travel I'd be fine with my taxes going to help pay for it.

Like I said a few pages back though, I want tax dollars used, not money from the ChiComs.

[C&CDean]

Please linky me to the half-dozen or so train drivers who have killed a ****pot of people by crashing their trains while texting. Thanks.

OK. Here's one that talks about 3 separate incidents. I only spent 5-seconds searching though. There's probably more. And ~35 stiffs = a ****pot to me.

http://www.berryfocused.com/washing-dc-train-wreck-was-conductor-texting-while-driving/index.html

[Crucifax Autumn]

Yeah, but with where those train wrecks happened the victims were likely just a bunch of Godless liberals, so they don't count.

[jkjsooner]

OK. Here's one that talks about 3 separate incidents. I only spent 5-seconds searching though. There's probably more. And ~35 stiffs = a ****pot to me.

http://www.berryfocused.com/washing-dc-train-wreck-was-conductor-texting-while-driving/index.html

The investigators concluded that the train operator in D.C. was not texting. It was an automatic systems failure and by the time the operator could have detected the stopped train it would have been too late.

It's very unfortunate for the family that everyone jumped the gun in their speculation when there was no evidence that that was the case.

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1702179&nid=25

[Crucifax Autumn]

The smartest thing LAS has said in this thread is pointing out that High Speed Rail and Public Transit are two totally different things.

[Clever Trevor]

I guess this is Pobama's way of placating the tree huggers.

[MamaMia]

I don't care what state gets a high speed rail system. I just don't believe that people from other states should have to pay for it.

[Condescending Sooner]

Since you don't know jack s**t about my traveling habits I'd say you're ill-prepared to make any kind of assessment about what I may or may not be being "truthful" about. As it happens, I frequently travel to NYC and Baltimore/DC because I have family in both cities. I have no need for a car when in either of those cities, so I would love to get there by rail were that an option.

You said if it was available you would use it a lot. Well it is available to Dallas, and judging from your over reaction to my statement, it doesn't appear you use it very much at all. No need to get your panties in a wad.

Taking an inner city train a few blocks is vastly different than taking one across several states.

[Viking Kitten]

And as I have already stated in this thread, I have taken trains across several countries and am quite familiar with how the big choo-choos work. But if it's more fun for you to pretend like you know me and my travel habits, knock yourself out, my friend.

[49r]

You said if it was available you would use it a lot. Well it is available to Dallas, and judging from your over reaction to my statement, it doesn't appear you use it very much at all. No need to get your panties in a wad.

Taking an inner city train a few blocks is vastly different than taking one across several states.


I don't think VK is the one getting wadded up panties here.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that what she meant was in regards to a high-speed rail option being available to her to use when traveling to destinations she would normally travel to here in the US by car or airplane.

Since the Heartland Flyer is not what one would consider a high speed rail line, your assertion that she is somehow a liar is well, patently false.

[Chuck Bao]

I don't care what state gets a high speed rail system. I just don't believe that people from other states should have to pay for it.

If you don't like progress, well get the **** out of the way. You can be selfish and think that the world revolves around you and your ability to burn up as much fuel as you want and the US can import enough Middle East oil to supply your truck or SUV. Sadly, it is not turning out that way. Mass transit systems built anywhere in America helps all Americans.

I know the distinction is being made about high-speed regional links and local mass transit projects. I am thinking more that the local mass transit projects make the high-speed links possible, rather than the other way round.

Technology has changed a lot from just 20 years ago. It is far easirer to build a mass trasnit system under the current road system.

[LosAngelesSooner]

The smartest thing LAS has said in this thread is pointing out that High Speed Rail and Public Transit are two totally different things.

The sad thing is that I HAD to say it...and that so basic of a statement is considered "smart" around here. :D

[LosAngelesSooner]

I don't care what state gets a high speed rail system. I just don't believe that people from other states should have to pay for it.

Your taxes pay for highways and railroads and canals in other states already. But you are only whining about this because Obama proposed it. If Dubya had proposed it you'd be behind it 100%.

[olevetonahill]

The sad thing is that I HAD to say it...and that so basic of a statement is considered "smart" around here. :D

Dint say nuthin about it Bein smart
he said it was the SMARTEST thing you've said in this thread.

Pay Tention.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Stop talking. Keep drinking. Stick to what you're good at.

[olevetonahill]

Im pretty dayum good at Comprehension . You,Not so much.:P

[Crucifax Autumn]

Actually ,it's about the smartest thing anyone has said in this thread honestly. And yes, that is indeed sad.

[LosAngelesSooner]

Im pretty dayum good at Comprehension . You,Not so much.:PAh...the "I'm Rubber, You're Glue" comeback.

A timeless CLASSIC.

Go drink, Drunky. ;)

[49r]

U.S. gov't awards $2.4 billion for high-speed rail (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20021677-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20)


In addition to the tracks being laid, funds have also been allocated to study the feasibility of building high-speed railroads between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Las Vegas and Phoenix, Kansas City and Oklahoma City, and Atlanta and Charlotte, to name a few.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20021677-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20#ixzz14KLdXYxW

Good to see it. Someday I'd like to see us achieve something like this here in the US:

jJfDWtbioEM

[NormanPride]

$3.50 on a cup of coffee later:

"Well, Bill, I don't think this Oklahoma railway will work. Too many cows."

[GDC]

I was offered drugs on the Paris Metro and saw a guy commit suicide by jumping in front of a train.

[tommieharris91]

I was offered drugs on the Paris Metro and saw a guy commit suicide by jumping in front of a train.

The NYC subway system probably has that beat.

[SoonerLVZ]

I think a High Speed Rail system would be great, but I understand why it may not work in the current America society (we are not dependent upon cars) and why is it successful in China/Japan/Europe (where cars are not the norm)

What I don't understand is why there hasn't been a private firm/company (instead of the government) step up and propose something in Texas, connecting Houston/Austin/San Antonio/DFW. Smaller area then trying to go across the whole country, it would connect 3 of the largest cities in America (Dallas, Houston San Antonio) and another major city (Austin, at 1 million plus) together. I am sure Southwest would hate this, but why hasn't Boone stepped up to propose this, run the thing on his natural gas plan. I think for a billion dollars and GOOD private company running this, it could get done.

You could easily add in several other markets, New Orleans, OKC, Tulsa, ABQ, within a decade, and then branch out if it is successful.

The only issue is not having a vechile when you arrive at your location. The technology is there (hell is China can do it, why can't we).

[TUSooner]

I think a High Speed Rail system would be great, but I understand why it may not work in the current America society (we are not dependent upon cars) and why is it successful in China/Japan/Europe (where cars are not the norm)

What I don't understand is why there hasn't been a private firm/company (instead of the government) step up and propose something in Texas, connecting Houston/Austin/San Antonio/DFW. Smaller area then trying to go across the whole country, it would connect 3 of the largest cities in America (Dallas, Houston San Antonio) and another major city (Austin, at 1 million plus) together. I am sure Southwest would hate this, but why hasn't Boone stepped up to propose this, run the thing on his natural gas plan. I think for a billion dollars and GOOD private company running this, it could get done.

You could easily add in several other markets, New Orleans, OKC, Tulsa, ABQ, within a decade, and then branch out if it is successful.

The only issue is not having a vehicle when you arrive at your location. The technology is there (hell is China can do it, why can't we).

Trains are big, how about the option of taking your car with you?

[Caboose]

I think a High Speed Rail system would be great, but I understand why it may not work in the current America society (we are not dependent upon cars) and why is it successful in China/Japan/Europe (where cars are not the norm)

What I don't understand is why there hasn't been a private firm/company (instead of the government) step up and propose something in Texas, connecting Houston/Austin/San Antonio/DFW. Smaller area then trying to go across the whole country, it would connect 3 of the largest cities in America (Dallas, Houston San Antonio) and another major city (Austin, at 1 million plus) together. I am sure Southwest would hate this, but why hasn't Boone stepped up to propose this, run the thing on his natural gas plan. I think for a billion dollars and GOOD private company running this, it could get done.

You could easily add in several other markets, New Orleans, OKC, Tulsa, ABQ, within a decade, and then branch out if it is successful.

The only issue is not having a vechile when you arrive at your location. The technology is there (hell is China can do it, why can't we).

Hasn't exactly that happened? I thought I read that about a year ago that this was in the works or being looked at by a private company. Am I delusional?

[LosAngelesSooner]

Southwest Airlines, and some of the other smaller carriers, are the primary reason we DON'T have passenger railways between cities in the U.S. They killed them deliberately because they wanted the money.

And people wonder why I have such a high level of distrust in ALL big businesses.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Why?

Seriously, if you're in business to make money and there's an alternative gaining steam that would cut into your bottom line, why would you NOT bend over backwards to squelch the idea?

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[LosAngelesSooner]

I do.

And all too often big business has done what is best for big business at the expense of the American people.

That's why I think it's silly to decry unions and government as evil and then claim that unchecked capitalism and big businesses are wonderful.

They all kinda suck unless you keep 'em in check.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

They all kinda suck unless you keep 'em in check.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.

[Cornfed]

Which is why the railways if done by private companies would do much better than the govt doing it... oh but it won't make money here so we need US to pay for it to be reality.

[StoopTroup]

I do.

And all too often big business has done what is best for big business at the expense of the American people.

That's why I think it's silly to decry unions and government as evil and then claim that unchecked capitalism and big businesses are wonderful.

They all kinda suck unless you keep 'em in check.

Bingo.

The Companies that have gotten turnpikes built in the direction of their businesses here in this state are a good example. It's cool they got everyone else to build nice roads for the trucks they needed to supply them to tear up and then get the upkeep taken care of with the fees. God forbid they have to pay into it.

The Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa....193rd and I-44. They were smart enough to throw some dough into the kitty to get the access to their Casino repaired. Given it was a small kick...it got the job done good enough to keep the traffic flowing.

[SoonerLVZ]

Hasn't exactly that happened? I thought I read that about a year ago that this was in the works or being looked at by a private company. Am I delusional?


I guess if I used google before I posted comments I would look smarter?

It looks like there is a plan for Texas..

http://www.thsrtc.com/