High-speed rail will move America forward

Of course there is a chicken-egg problem with popularity, which brings in necessary funds to run such a system. The German railroad runs about two billion passenger trips a year, while Amtrak did about 29 million. It makes a net profit.

Another issue which needs to be considered is relative size and population density.

Germany is about the size of Illinois? or perhaps Illinois and Indiana? Yet has more people crammed into that space. I think the only comparable area would be the Northeast. Where local rail lines (and almost anything in Germany would have to be considered "local" over here) might be making a profit.

Then you have to add the personal space difference. In Germany interpersonal space is about 12". In the US it's more like 18" or 24". (I went to college with a guy who was German. Every time we talked he'd end up chasing me around the room. He'd step in to his normal space and I'd step back to restore my norrmal space). So Germans are more comfortable being crammed in like sardines than we are.

Churches here normally stop growing when they reach 80% of their capacity. Why? because people don't like being crammed together. they'd rather go somewhere else than be forced to sit next to someone.

We would see the same thing on a train. Especially a train that took longer than 30 minutes to reach it's destination. People would rather drive because the train is just too crowded.

Yet the train cannot make money if it's only at 50% ridership.

So we have the immovable object of train profitability depending on full trains versus the irresistable force of people not wanting to sit next to strangers for long periods of time. The end result? Passenger rail CANNOT make enough money to be self-supporting in this country.

Airline travel faces the same hurdles (people don't want to sit next to others) but usually the travel times are short enough, or the trip is important enough, that people will put up with it.

Example: From Indy to San Diego is about 6 hour flying time (Normally I have a connection though which brekas my trip up into tolerable sections). HS rail would take about 24 hours (at absolute best). Driving takes about 3 days. So for the long hauls there really is no other option than air.

How long did it take you to get to the station? Were there tolls or other costs? What did it cost in gas to get to and from the station? What about parking costs? When you got to Hannover, how did you get around and what did it cost? What were your waiting times in between the station and getting to where ever.

20 minutes, about the same amount of time it takes to get out of town and on the open highway. Pennies for gas, nothing for parking. In Hannover got around on a free shuttle bus. If I'd been doing something else, it would have been a few dollars for bus tickets. Very little waiting anywhere. It's all timed pretty well.

However, the return trip was once delayed by a malfunctioning train. That's rare, and I equate it to your car breaking down on the trip, which is much more of a hassle than waiting 30 minutes for a new train to get to you.

Oh, and let's not forget safety. Here are the death rates in deaths per billion km traveled:

Planes: 0.4
Trains: 0.2
Automobiles: 6
Motorcycles: 45
Bicycles: 30
Walking: 38

I'm not saying it could work anywhere in the US. As I've said before, the public transport systems of the cities must be up to par so you can get around in those cities once you're there.

As far as time, trains are best with short hauls. Airports have a big overhead, parking is harder, time to the gate is longer, security’s a pain, then there’s the wait for takeoff, and all in reverse when you get there. That 4-hour Stuttgart-Hannover train takes about an hour by plane non-stop, but what do you think the average overhead in time is for that plane flight, and what is the PITA factor as opposed to simply stepping on a train and relaxing for four hours? Airplanes are also delayed far more often than trains.

So I’d say anything for an hour plane flight and under is a good candidate for train, at least with the 150mph ICE. Other trains are faster, changing the calculation. You of course need the passenger base to support it.

Could be. My airport is brand spanking new. Parking is a snap. Entry is right off the freeway. Time from car to gate averages about 40 minutes including security. On the other end rental car is normally right in the airport and parking in most cities I've been in is pretty easy to find. (Of course I avoid New York and most of the Northeast like the plague. Too many liberals there.)

So I’d say anything for an hour plane flight and under is a good candidate for train, at least with the 150mph ICE.

(If I'm travelling alone on business) Under an hour plane flight and I'd probably drive. Far more convenient and relaxing. But then again I'm American. We like our cars and hate getting crammed in with strangers. A 4 hour drive is far more relaxing than a 1 hour train ride. Plus I have my car with me on the other end. It's a win-win.

(If I'm taking the family) Under 2 days driving time and I'll probably drive. Far, Far, Far cheaper and more convenient. Over 2 days driving time depends on how long I'm staying. If I'm out for 2 weeks I'll drive three days. From my home I can get almost anywhere in the USA in three days.

Other trains are faster, changing the calculation. You of course need the passenger base to support it.

And there's the rub. We can never build the passenger base here because people don't like getting crammed in with other people and we don't like being forced into someone else's schedule (and train schedules are even more inonvenient than airline schedules). Driving puts us in control and allows us to insulate ourselves from undesirables.

So, seeing as the nature of Americans is greatly resistant to being forced into cattle cars, and the huge expenditures that would have to be laid out to build suitable road beds, and the fact that no passenger rail service in the US is making money (thus requiring huge subsidies), I can safely say that passenger rail service will not work in these United States. Ever.

A 4 hour drive is far more relaxing than a 1 hour train ride.

Not in my experience. I once took that route by car, never again. Between traffic and parking at the end, I was NOT relaxed when I arrived. I always relaxed on the trains, which not as crowded as coach on an airline. The best is when you're traveling with a few associates you can get a private compartment just for you at no extra cost.

For open seating this is first class:

This is second class:

First class doesn't cost too much more (not like the difference on airlines), and in fact is right now about the same price due to a special they're running. And of course don't forget about the advantage of being able to go relax in the dining car for a good portion of your trip, no matter what class you're in. Can you sit back and have a beer while you're driving?

(and train schedules are even more inonvenient than airline schedules).

Over there, trains came quite often. That route I described has a train leaving about every half hour in that direction on the average work day, many of them ICE. There's a lot of turnover -- the Frankfurt main station for example has 360,000 people a day going through it, which is about double O'Hare airport in Chicago, still 50% more than Atlanta, the busiest airport in the world.

And of course don't forget about the advantage of being able to go relax in the dining car for a good portion of your trip, no matter what class you're in. Can you sit back and have a beer while you're driving?

Never drink and drive. (You might spill your drink!)

I can get up and go to the restaurant any time I want. I'm on no one's schedule but my own. I can play whatever music I want, and even sing along. I don't have to put up with anyone else's BO or those who choose to marinate in perfume/cologne. I don't have to listen to anyone talking if I don't want to and I never have some fat person overflowing into my seat

Driving for 4 hours is far more relaxing (no matter what the traffic conditions) than being crammed into a cattle car with a bunch of strangers

Over there, trains came quite often. That route I described has a train leaving about every half hour in that direction on the average work day, many of them ICE.

But you can't get the schedule unless you have the ridership and you can't get the ridership without having the schedule.

It really is a cultural difference. The Germans don't mind being cattle carred. They live in a small country almost one right on top of another. (12" personal space). We live in a large country spread out all over. Passenger rail will not work in these United States unless the very nature of the people here changes. And although the kenyan and his anti-American cohorts are trying their best to destroy our way of life, I wouldn't bet on them succeeding

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