Canada tried high-speed rail in 1968 but gave up in the face of challenges. France persevered through challenges (including gas turbines). Japan persevered. We gave up. Imagine where we could be today! 19 hours on trains today has me lamenting that missed opportunity! #trains #HSR - ThreadSky

pspindloe.bsky.social • 37 days ago

Canada tried high-speed rail in 1968 but gave up in the face of challenges. France persevered through challenges (including gas turbines). Japan persevered. We gave up. Imagine where we could be today! 19 hours on trains today has me lamenting that missed opportunity! #trains #HSR

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blau06.bsky.social•37 days ago

It boils down to money. Not sure where. You 19 hours were but if you were on shared track.. acquiring dedicated ROW is a big expense..then water crossing, no grade crossing, and then the fun could begin if there is any money left.

pspindloe.bsky.social•37 days ago

Plus, a lot of highway ROW was acquired in that time.

blau06.bsky.social•37 days ago

There is a slight difference.. ROW in heavily populated areas for tracks is expensive and much of your comparison is not “apples to apples”HS” does not need circumferential, short segments, and access ramps… so do more research..

pspindloe.bsky.social•37 days ago

Yes, lots of shared track. NY to Toronto and then a few hours farther. 1968 to now would have been a long time to chip away at it. A few key corridors to start and then expand. I’m glad I could make the journey at all - I’ve wanted to take this trip for a while, but it leaves a lot of time to dream.

blau06.bsky.social•37 days ago

Research the costs and requirements of making a dedicated ROW on NEC to replace current path.. btw it has better ridership projections than your suggested NYC to Toronto.. even a dedicated route like your dream will be hard to financially justify before planning…

pspindloe.bsky.social•37 days ago

I’m not suggesting NY to Toronto, that just happened to be where I was. The NEC, Toronto to Montreal, Edmonton to Calgary, etc. would have all been easier if we had started small in the 1960’s and grown from there.

blau06.bsky.social•36 days ago

ROW and costs were something I was “tangentially associated “ with about 30 years ago..and today’s HSR has grade and curvature specs that would have issues with even 1960 ROW and costs .. even some of the HSR currently under way are downsizing as prices rise and some proposed use drops..

lesleyewing.bsky.social•37 days ago

Preceded by the Rapido, if I recall correctly
Toronto to Montreal

pspindloe.bsky.social•37 days ago

You are correct: the display covered The Rapido as well. The Turbo stuck out to me as the turning point though. The display at Union Station (in the VIA train hall) was quite good.

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