Rail fever! French trains set speed record
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The SNCF, France’s national rail company, set the record for the fastest steel-wheel train (i.e., not magnetic-levitation train) in the world, with a high speed of 574.8 kilometers per hour (357 mph). Quite a way to break in the new Paris-Strasbourg line!
Watching this, I’m struck by the excitement of the French announcers as they give the play-by-play of a train zipping through the countryside.
I’m also impressed by the closeup of the train’s wheels on the rails. So smooth and straight. Then I think of poor, pathetic, underfunded, unloved Amtrak. Or worse, the Chicago Transit Authority’s blue line, as it chugs along to O’Hare, shaking back and forth on its rickety tracks. Sigh. American rail is hardly a source of national pride.
It would be great to have a rail alternative for short- to medium-length flights. With speeds like the new TGV, rail service would be a viable alternative between American cities, but, regrettably, I just don’t see it ever happening here.
Click to view the video. (en francais) They hit the record speed in the last minute of the tape or so.
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April 3rd, 2007 at 9:12 pm |
This is something. It’s interesting that most of the world (Europe, in particular) has such a good transportation system especially with trains.
Riding trains is one of the many wonderful things about Europe. We ride trains wherever possible and rarely even consider renting a car. Trains, trams and buses are dependable means of easily getting around.
We’re not even in the game and from where I sit–I don’t see anyone attempting to change things.
Most of us are too attached to our cars to consider alternatives.
Could the USA even build and run trains efficiently? Would many be willing to support it? Could it be affordable and running on schedule?
April 4th, 2007 at 8:29 am |
Why can’t Britain operate such an efficient rail network? On a recent trip to France, the trains were cheap, efficient and clean - we have a lot to learn!
April 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm |
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April 4th, 2007 at 3:35 pm |
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