Trains are coming back in style!

Might I add that recent advances have led to aerodynamic designs to reduce drag, lift, and noise. And that's what it's about: advances. I'm sure that once the ball gets rolling, the outstanding technology of Japan coupled with the brainiacs we have here in the US can lead to some amazing results in a new era of transportation.

"MornRail," Nice the way you put it, but in your picture you are showing something very different. It is great to fantasize about things but we should look the reality of our crazy part of our government that have been lobbied to death with an acoustic policy that favors noise, more noise. Here in San Francisco we are in the hands of an acoustic psychopath working for the government orchestrating the new urban acoustic transportation invasion happening for over 7 (seven) years right under everyones eyes and ears. Maybe you can point to me a mistake done to the early and last rail road track here in the United States. You see these guys are engineers and they suppose to know better. That just prove that there are no academic rankings that will save us from their mistakes and acoustic chaos. Maybe we should have an office in the Government called:
"Government Office of Eternal Mistakes"

Oh, it will seem like a good idea. Until some terrorists hijack a train and crash it into... oh... wait, never mind.

Go trains!

I suppose I forgot to bring it up as I've grown up around trains in my neighborhood. I've also spent time in Chicago with my grandmother with a home very close to the "L". I guess they ran like lullabies in the night for me.

However, I understand that noise pollution is just as important to keep under control especially for those who don't find it as pleasing as me. There can also be issues of homes going down in value. I don't think this article is just about bringing back old-school technology or dinosaur technology. It's about the innovation to make these trains run smoother and more efficient. It's looking at a whole new way of passenger travel and that might not include ALL the mechanics of yesteryear.

You use the words "dinosaur" and "old", stopnoise. But I think this is about a "new" era of travel. A "new" era of transportation and I believe a lot of thought will go into that.

It'd be interesting for those who commented about the rail systems in Europe and Japan to tell us how they feel about them and what makes them great by their first-hand knowledge. Hell, it'd be great for Current European or Japanese users to tell us their experience riding their rail systems and possibly shed light on not only the pros, but the cons. Anyone?

No one here mentioned the nightmare of living near trains and how they acoustically affect lives with their notorious 1-3 miles range horn. I receive lots of emails from people all over US complaing about train noise. Evidently no one here lives near a rail road track and Thanks to the Reagan Administration now we have a generation willing to deny noise as a health and environmental issue. I am for the best technology we can get but I am not willing to support an USA dinosaur technology of old rail road trains.

I hope trains get more popularity. Otherwise, they'll fade out, and then become more expensive, and then fade out even more...an endless cycle.

i agree completely. not only will it make travel easier for those using it, but also the ones who need to drive only a few minutes or perhaps a little longer. it would reduce emissions and encourage other forms of mass-transit like busses too and from the train station, all of which will help travel time and make traveling less of an annoyance!

I've wondered for years why the train systems in the USA are in such trouble. Friends of ours have switched to train travel for vacations - no long lines, no overbooked seats, no fear of flying. It does take longer to get where you're going, but once you consider having to arrive at the airport two hours hearly, lengthy drives to the airport and delayed flights - not so much.

With fuel prices like they are, I think a train system is one of the best ideas to save energy and efficiency in transportation.

Amtrak: America's Way to Carry Weed
---Tina Fey

solar/electric cars, trains, & boats are definitely the waves of the future if we intend to continue life here on earth.
mass transit is super important & with all of the airlines merging & going out of business i can very easily see a dystopian future where only the wealthy & well connected are able to afford air travel.

Solar Powered Trains! Electric Cars! The technology is here, can we honestly stop holding on to hold bad habits! Make a change, and save our earth?

When I visited Japan many years ago their Bullet trains and subway systems were great!
Easy fast and luxurious

I agree MornRail, this country needs to get on the ball with a national transportation system that would be most cost efferent over cars and planes. With airline companies going bankrupt by the bunches again and fuel prices through the roof I don't know why Amtrak hasn't been heavily improved upon. It's system is in disarray right now and needs reform.

So true KosterK7, and when we get our light rail system in 2009 it'll be all the better.

MM, that's a really interesting point you brought up about small towns. I've never really thought about how it could help the economy for them.

It sort of reminded me of the movie "Cars" where Radiator Springs starting failing once the interstate highway was built. Silly thing to refer to but yeah. If we had these railways running through small communities and towns maybe we'll finally take the time to appreciate and contribute to them. I definitely see myself spending a good 30 minutes buying weird niknacks while on my way to my destination.

diode, I totally hear what you're saying. However, we had so many rails (abandoned and still working) that I feel that all would be needed is to fix them up and get them going. I think there are a lot of lonely railways just waiting to be used. My knowledge on it isn't very much so it'd be interesting to how that works or how it doesn't work.

I live in Seattle and LOVE taking the train down to Portland... It's the best way to go!! Really, let's get the trains going again!! I'M FOR IT!

This is great! The European train system is great. HAving one of our own would be AWESOME!

:) Thanks for the post. you rock!

the only problem with a rail system is that our infrastructure has basically already been built and it would be very hard to make a railway feasible. maybe in the future metropolises if it was incorporated into the building plans would it be plausible

And here's to hoping you guys get that bond passed! That was a really great video you shared, digitrash. I looked at the site and it was interesting to read that the California High Speed Rail Authority has been planning high-speed rail for almost a decade. It'd be great to see it get started and possibly inspire other states to make the move as well.

AngelicEnforcer, that was a very good point you brought up. I'm hoping that the train operators will still be paid well and hopefully with more benefits as well. I think there could be chance that with the influx of people getting in on this business, that more incentives will be brought to the table. I guess I'm a bit optimistic but I see it happening.

Train operators or drivers get paid very well in the states because they're isn't much of a need for them like there use to be. But now that going to change.

I've been waiting for this! I always love the high-speed trains in Europe, and it's so disappointing that we don't have any here in the US. It would be such a nice way to travel, and likely cheaper than most flights. I'm crossing my fingers for new railroad infrastructure!

My thoughts exactly MornRail. I believe a big public works project for a fast rail system should be implemented as soon as the next President takes office. We need it, and the environment needs it and it needs started immediately. That would certainly boost the sagging economy and bring back some failing towns.

What do you think? Will it actually work? Will our government shell out for this endeavor? Do you think there will be a significant change in how we get around and our environment?