The Core

Why We Are Here => Water Cooler => Topic started by: Brad on June 29, 2024, 10:35:24 AM

Title: Passenger Rail and the Midwest
Post by: Brad on June 29, 2024, 10:35:24 AM
Overlaying Spanish Rail Network on Midwest, imagine Chicago to Detroit in 2 hours, or Chicago to Minneapolis in 3.5 hours.

https://www.reddit.com/r/fuckcars/comments/1dqqc6t/imagine_that/

The two areas are roughly comparable.  No pesky mountains in the Midwest.
Title: Re: Passenger Rail and the Midwest
Post by: rcjordan on June 29, 2024, 03:15:02 PM
Dream on.
Title: Re: Passenger Rail and the Midwest
Post by: Brad on June 29, 2024, 07:24:17 PM
Quote from: rcjordan on June 29, 2024, 03:15:02 PM
Dream on.

Yeah the game is pretty well rigged against it.
Title: Re: Passenger Rail and the Midwest
Post by: ergophobe on June 29, 2024, 09:33:44 PM
One comment claims that the population in that area is greater than Spain's too
Title: Re: Passenger Rail and the Midwest
Post by: Brad on June 29, 2024, 10:52:05 PM
If you were going to scratch-build a HSR network separate from existing freight rail the Midwest is the place to do it.  Of course that would make the Midwest a powerhouse, long term, which would threaten The Coasts so it won't happen. 

Even a regular (under 110 mph) passenger rail network is in doubt as long as it shares tracks with freight. You need frequent, on time service and you can't do that with the freight rail controlling the tracks.