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China has both. Transcon rail will never be a thing but most people live in areas close by. The Midwest is roughly the size of France with similar population l
by bobthepanda 3y ago
China has both.
Transcon rail will never be a thing but most people live in areas close by. The Midwest is roughly the size of France with similar population levels; and the upper limit of high speed rail travel is thought to be about five hours on the train, which is compatible with NYC to Chicago, or Chicago to Atlanta, or NYC to Atlanta, not to mention all the shorter trips in between.
- bombcar 3y agoThose "shorter routes" are where things could shine, even if you don't go high-speed a train from MSP to CHI through Milwaukee would see some use.
- sofixa 3y agoEven more than 5 hours - I've taken the Paris to Milan and Paris to Barcelona trains multiple times (6:30-7h), and both are relatively frequent, quite full, and competitive with air travel due to a number of factors even if they're slightly slower (for Paris-Milan depending on departure point and airport on both ends, you're looking at 30-60 mins per direction, plus being 2 hours early at the airport, plus the time to get from the gate to the train station to get out of the airport, plus 1h30 flight and you're looking at 5-6h for the plane vs 7h for the train): * vastly more comfortable, with more space and amenities * nice views * single style of hassle (get to the train, sit down, enjoy; with a plane you get to the terminal, pass through security, then wait, then go in a plane in heavily restricted mode, then you can move/do stuff after take-off, then again you go in restricted mode, then you wait for taxi to finish, then you get to the gate, then you walk towards the exits, wait for luggage, etc.)