Re: World's First Fuel Cell-Powered Train Locomotive Slated for 2008

From: Scott A Crosby (scrosby_at_cs.rice.edu)
Date: 08/19/04 

Date: 19 Aug 2004 13:08:47 -0500

On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 01:25:31 -0400, "Ian St. John" <istjohn@noemail.ca> writes:

> >> Mainly because U.S. trains had establihsed themselves as slow, noisy
> >> and with no fixed schedule. Given the lack of progress in train
> >> technology, being 'leapfrogged' by air is logical.
> >
> > Could you explain why you think US passenger rail declined in the
> > 50's?
>
> That would be because air travel took over? All the returning airmen
> starting up airlines for passengers? Was I not clear?
>

And why would things be any different now with HSR, except that now
the passenger rail network is in more disrepair, hundreds of miles of
high speed track is needed, and airplanes are the entrenched
technology? IE: Tell me why history wouldn't repeat itself exactly the
same way this time.

It seems to me that you've already admitted that air is superior, yet
still push HSR. If I was really cynical, I'd accuse you of trying to
astroturf for the construction industry.....

But I think I know you better than that. My guess is that you want all
of society to be rearranged in the way that you claim is correct?

Scott