China's 270MPH Flying Train Could Run on London to Glasgow Route

[sintax]

China's 270mph flying train could run on London to Glasgow route if plan takes off

Study shows new £16bn line could relieve transport chaos

Andrew Clark, transport correspondent
Monday June 6, 2005
The Guardian

Described as "flying on the ground", Shanghai's 270mph magnetic floating railway has impressed British ministers. But plans to build a London to Scotland line would cost at least £16bn, according to feasibility studies sanctioned by Downing Street.

Known as the Maglev (magnetic levitation) train, China's flagship transport system takes eight minutes to hurtle along a 19-mile track through the paddy fields surrounding Shanghai airport - a journey which takes up to an hour by car.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1500096,00.html

[pimpbot]

1. Cool

I hope they pick the Baltimore-Washington test area for the US maglev... if it ever gets built. I do disagree with one part of the story. They said its "the first of its kind". I believe Japan has had a Maglev running previous to this. I even remember riding one at the worlds fairs in Tajon, Korea.

[ElectroPrincess]

2. Meanwhile, in our Nation's Capitol, it's GRIDLOCK from 2 PM on ...

As little as five years ago, I could catch the car pool lane going south on I-395 then to I-95 before 3:30 PM and be home by 4:30 PM. Now the same time and trip takes two hours minimum.

Save for Amtrak (which isn't getting support from Bush-Co), all the beltway bandits (people employed in D.C. but can't afford to live within the beltway) must POV or slug (pick up extra riders at the transportation lots to qualify for the 3 person minimum carpool) their way on I-95 to D.C. ... and presently it requires at least 2 hours to travel a mere 40 miles north.

For all intents and purposes D.C. is one big traffic GRIDLOCK 24/7. And pray there's no accident?!? If any portion of I-95 gets blocked for even a mere 5 minutes, add one to two more hours on to your commute.

We (major cities in the USA) need to get smart and employ those high speed trains! Like yesterday. :(

[pimpbot]

4. Wheres the funding!

Oh, thats right. 80+ Billion a year for a war in Iraq, or.......... We could have 5 Maglev routes in our metro centers. But hey, at least we kicked some brown skin ass! (sarcasm)

[ElectroPrincess]

6. Don't forget the billions in "corporate welfare" to bail out the airline

industry. Yes, we save their sorry a**ed airlines, the average employees lose their pensions BUT the executives get rewarded with bonuses and golden parachutes.

Ain't that grand! :sarcasm:

[trogdor]

3. Why do I keep thinking about The Simpsons?

Remember the monorail episode?

[pimpbot]

5. Meh, Solar power!

"why dont we just cut the power?"

"No such luck, its SOLAR powered!"

"Solar power... when will people learn??"

One of the best episodes ever. RIP Phil Hartman.