Rail would get us more transport bang for buck

[theHandpuppet]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070815/EDIT01/708150312/1090
Rail would get us more transport bang for buck
BY DAVID E. PUTHOFF

Whether we admire or disdain the French, they undoubtedly have one of the safest transportation systems in the world, largely independent of oil supplies. For the past 25 years French electric TGV trains have routinely traveled at 186 mph with zero fatalities.

Earlier generations were able to travel to Dayton and beyond at 80 mph, using 1930s electric trains. Present-day TGV trains slow down to 100 mph while crossing under the English Channel. We are now studying replacing the Brent Spence Bridge to enable us to drive across a river at 55 mph, at a cost of $3 billion! How many miles of TGV track or light rail could $3 billion build?

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With so much of our economy connected to cars and trucks, politicians blindly accept 110 U.S. traffic deaths every day in favor of status-quo economic benefits, and ignore a far safer and faster mode.

Rail transport continues to be the most energy-efficient mode - 17 percent less energy used than airplanes, 21 percent less than automobiles (per passenger-mile), according to a recent U.S. Department of Energy study....

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[tomreedtoon]

1. I'm from Florida and like California's rails.

My friend, who couldn't drive, met me in San Diego (yes, for Comic-Con International) after riding the "Coaster" train, which ran straight from Los Angeles. And San Diego has trolleys - very much like local light rail - which made the six mile ride from San Diego to our hotel room a lot easier.

Meanwhile, in Florida, Governor "Jesus" Crist has dragged his feet about the high-speed rail line that voters have approved - twice. This continues the record of Jeb Bush, the former Governor Duuuuh.\

[Papagoose]

2. Don't forget freight trains

I work in logistics, for a company that specializes in finding cargo that is currently moving by truck and converting it to rail. Freight trains may not be the cleanest machines out there, but by consolidating many truckloads into one trainload, we're reducing pollution and energy consumption. The freight rail system is not in good shape in this country though - investment in infrastructure is badly needed!

[theHandpuppet]

5. Totally agree, Papagoose!

When we talk about repairing/upgrading/renewing our nation's infrastructure too often the rail system is left out of the dialogue. It was to the advantage of big oil to see the abandonment of passenger rail service in this country and no doubt the influence of big oil is still holding back its revitalization.

My father was a Supt for the Norfolks & Western (now known as Norfolk Southern) and I don't think the vast majority of Americans realize just how many goods can be transported by one train! Not to mention that railroads provide well-paying UNION jobs for America's workers. I used to take the train regularly when the N&W still had passenger rail out of Union Terminal in Cincinnati. Loved it.

[Yael]

3. My favorite part of living in NYC

was the trains. 40 minutes from home (midtown manhattan) to work (Brooklyn) and back. I felt more relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the day when I got to work. No traffic problems, no having to watch not only my car but the dozens of people around me and no parking issues.

Now that I am in PA, I take the train often, but we just don't have enough tracks to enough cities to make it practical to a lot of places.

[Mnemosyne]

4. I'm in rural NW PA and there was a trolley years ago from

5 miles east of me to Erie, PA - about 40 miles one way. My Nana, Mom, great-aunt and great-grandmother always took it to the 'city'.

The way traffic has exploded around here it sounds like a great idea to start it back up. I hate driving, but have no other way to get anywhere when living in a rural area. Many in our area are driving 40 miles to barely above minimum wage jobs. Many would be able to find work again if they had transportation, but minimum wage barely covers gas to get to the job.

I would love a national rail system like France. We need something soon!