Can’t stop thinking about the fact that the Shinkansen has been around for over 6 DECADES, connecting dozens of cities across a mountainous, earthquake-ridden country, while the best the US can manage is a single line with an average speed that’s just over half as fast at a fraction of the frequency
There's not a single day that goes by where I don't think about this. A high-speed rail system connecting to major cities across the US would be a game changer!
topical; about to take amtrak to seattle from chicago and back for vacation, and fully 6 days will be on the train, out of our week. partials on arrival and departure, and i love the train, but sheesh.
I love how efficient the trains are in Japan. It's a perfect rebuttal to any claim against trains in North America.
I love the shinkansen 🚅 (I think lots of people here do, without really giving it a thought — unless you’re a die-hard fan) I’m glad you enjoyed it😸
our train was delayed coming into Manhattan because there was only one working tunnel 🙄
Keeps me up at night pretty regularly.
I'll definitely envious of Japan's public transportation infrastructure.... And cleanliness. And mask-wearing being culturally acceptable. 😑
It's all about what you prioritize in a society. We like our cars and roads. Many different reasons why passenger rail has declined. I would love a national high speed rail network though. Very democratic.
Having grown up with a train buff, there are a few I have attachments to, such as the Rio Grande Zephyr.
Every time I think about HSR, I think about this commercial highlighting the people cheering the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen. When (if?) California HSR opens, the sign-wavers will probably be complaining about property values and Nancy Pelosi killing farmers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNbJ...
YouTube video by Toshiro Koyanagi