WEEKLY WHINE

See the USA from your sleeping bay

You will no doubt recall that last week, we presented a variety of recommendations on how to get high speed railways moving in the United States. But now that we have sparked your interest, you are surely wondering just how our plan would work and what the connection map would look like.

Well, allow us to show you. We are pleased to present the GoobNet Highly Effective Accelerated Railway Transit for Accessing National Destinations with a Special Opportunity to Unify Locations plan. Here we propose constructing high speed railway lines, which support a top speed of 250 km/h or more, all across the lower 48 states of the United States of America. The lines are constructed in phases, beginning with the corridors that are expected to have the greatest demand. We then proceed onward in logical steps toward the ultimate goal of serving all major population centres throughout the United States.

PHASE 1

In this first phase, we concentrate on establishing a basic high speed rail network linking major population centres in three areas. Lines 95 [replacement for the Acela], 70, and 80 join the Northeast and Midwest. Line 10 connects the Gulf coast and three major urban areas in Texas, and Line 5 makes it possible to traverse the entire Pacific coast in one day.

Shown here are the segments that are to be laid down in phase 1 along with their estimated distances. Intermediate stops are not shown here, although we expect up to three in each segment. For example, Line 95 will include the same stops that the Acela currently makes, including Wilmington, DE and Providence, RI.

Note that the line numbers are borrowed from existing interstate highways that follow similar paths. In fact, we recommend making use of the interstates’ rights of way where possible. The tracks, for instance, could be laid down in the median or along the shoulder of the highway.

At this point, we have laid down more than eight thousand kilometres of track, and we have provided coverage to 22 states and the District of Columbia. We have a few major transfer points established already: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St Louis, and Houston.

PHASE 2

This second phase sees the routes extended to other large population centres that are close to, but not on, the original routes. Places like Las Vegas and Atlanta receive coverage here. Families across the Southeast will also be excited to see a connection to Orlando. We also begin making international links as we connect to Tijuana, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal.

We have now reached a total of about 17,000 km of track that together service 31 US states, one Mexican state, three Canadian provinces, and DC. With this phase, New Orleans, Memphis, Los Angeles, San Francisco/​Oakland, and Toledo have become major transfer points.

PHASE 3

In this third phase, the dream of travelling from coast to coast in the comfort of a high speed train finally becomes a reality. Both Lines 10 and 80 have their eastern and western branches joined. The Shallow South is also connected with the Northeast and the Deep South with the completion of Line 20.

With the completion of this phase, we have nearly 23,000 km of high speed railways. 39 US states now have service.

PHASE 4

The previous three phases have seen a revolution in the way Americans travel. But to date, only the large cities have had a chance to play. Here in the fourth phase, we begin the long process of linking up the entire nation. Places that had been too far out of the way, like the Tampa Bay region, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone get their chance now. The completion of Line 95 also means easy travel up and down the east coast, plus the long awaited Spring Break Express with stops like the Norfolk/​Virginia Beach area and Myrtle Beach.

We have now completed the basic framework for the high speed railway network that the United States so desperately needs. It is equipped with more than 33,000 km of track that services 44 states: only Alaska, Hawai‘i, North Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine have not yet experienced the joy of high speed trains.

We are also establishing more transfer points. Richmond, Jackson, and Jacksonville are becoming important hubs in the east. Out west, Salt Lake City has quietly become a major hub for those wishing to visit Las Vegas or Yellowstone.

SUMMARY

We have here presented a proposal for a high speed railway network across the United States. Our incremental approach means that the nation can build what it can afford, when it can afford it. The completion of each phase adds new capabilities to the system: basic links for major cities in phase 1, international links in phase 2, nationwide transit in phase 3, and fully developed coverage in phase 4.

As this network develops, we can expect to see demand for air travel decrease. Why would you fly from Los Angeles to Seattle when you can just hop on a train for about half a day, with the added advantage of being able to walk around while you are on the train, sit at a comfortable table and eat lunch as you watch the scenery whoosh past, and then return to your seat without having to force three other people to get up just so that you can squeeze back into your seat behind the one in front of you that’s tilted so far back that you can’t move any other muscles?

We hope we can count on your support in getting this proposal off the ground.

Well, on the ground. Although some parts of it could be on elevated tracks. And there will probably be some tunnels involved as well. But not too many. You want to see those awesome mountain views. Not the interior of the mountains. Unless you are a geologist. And if you are a geologist, just hold tight. The Geologist Express will begin service to Yosemite National Park before long.