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I think we should invest way more in trains. They are basically long electric trucks that don't have to bring their batteries with them. All its advantages, wit

I think we should invest way more in trains. They are basically long electric trucks that don't have to bring their batteries with them. All its advantages, with the disadvantage of being on a REALLY fixed route. We should only do last mile with other means of transport

Karunamon 5y ago
Likely not realistic. Rail in the US, speaking modernly, tends to wind up being an expensive boondoggle even on fairly short routes.
- nradov 5y ago
  The US has one of the best freight rail networks in the world. It is far from a boondoggle. There is potential to further expand it, and reduce carbon emissions through electrifying tracks. Passenger rail is a whole separate problem.
  - Karunamon 5y ago
    How much of that is legacy routes where the cost of securing rights of way, dealing with NIMBYs, etc, is long since sunk? It hasn't gotten any easier.
    - selectodude 5y ago
      There are medians in the middle of every freeway in the United States just begging for train tracks.
salzig 5y ago
eHighway[0] anyone? [0]: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-tests-first-ehighway-autobahn/a-48632817 https://www.dw.com/en/germany-tests-first-ehighway-autobahn/...
epx 5y ago
+1. Want energy-efficient, electric-based transportation? Electric trains between major routes, they could even be autonomous, or at least don't need a meat engineer on cockpit. Electric small trucks to carry from hubs to final destinations.
r00t4ccess 5y ago
Need more monorails it worked out well for Ogdenville