Apparently, Obama has this idea that what we need is an expansion in trains

[conuly]

Linky!

Let's see. Trains: are less of a security hassle than planes.
Trains: are less polluting than cars and trucks (I think...?)
Trains: need to be built, and would therefore require manpower. Money in the bank, people!
Trains: are awesome

Plus, I have this feeling that a better national train network would somehow boost local and regional rails through... I don't know, the trickle down effect? This is based on no facts WHATSOEVER, just so you know.

Comments

[peebs1701.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of trains, I'm just not convinced Americans as a whole will get over the whole "time" factor. It took my step-father-in-law a day and a half to get to San Francisco from Kansas via Amtrak. The same thing on a plane would have taken six hours including security.

[conuly]

Can't we build them faster? I've heard trains in other places, like Japan, are superdooperreallyfast, so why can't we do the same? I mean, we'd be virtually starting again from scratch here....

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

Man 1: Hands up, this is a hijacking! We're taking this train to Chicago!
Man 2: ...but the track only goes to Tampa...
Man 1: ...aw sh*t!

[leora.livejournal.com]

I thought that was the whole point of investing in infrastructure for high-speed rail. Most US trains are impractical because they are just too slow. But high speed rail would make that less of an issue (for some trips a plane would probably still be more practical, but it'd make for a longer distance of travel that is more practical by train).

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

Trains! Yes, please! My favorite mode of travel!

Are trains ever going to be very fast from Kansas to California? Prolly not, cos this is a frikkin huge country.

But I guarantee that if they built just a decent train system from San Antonio to Austin to Houston, I would NEVER drive between those cities again.

Ironically, what's held the high speed trains back in Texas is not the oil companies, but Southwest Airlines.

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

I feel like trains are only less of a security hassle than planes only because they're less popular. If, for some reason, trains became the preferred method of long-distance transportation, more attacks would happen at train stations, etc., and security would be tightened.

[conuly]

Trains! Yes, please! My favorite mode of travel!

And wouldn't Sam look adorable in striped overalls and a conductor's hat?

[conuly]

Yeah, but there's only so much you can *do* with a train.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

Difficult to crash a train in to the upper stories of a skyscraper.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

I knew the minute he chose Biden we were in for an Amtrak presidency. Which is, IMNSHO, exactly what this country needs.

Since September 11, we refuse to fly unless absolutely necessary (not for fear of terrorists, but of security!), and do all our long distance travelling on Caltrain and Amtrak. Before that, we went by train out of sheer love for the rails.

As far as security, they used to try to make a big deal out of it at the border. Dark-skinned passengers with names like Ali or Sabeen were in for a long hassle, even if they were clearly grandparents with picnic baskets headed for Chicago to visit family.

[catboymercutio.livejournal.com]

Make them /electric/ trains!

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I am DYING to have him ride on a real, live train. He simply adores the kiddie train at the zoo.

[conuly]

If you bring him up to NYC, be sure to drop by the transit museum, then.

[emerlee.livejournal.com]

That's a great idea, and actually something that my mom has been saying for years. She thinks the Rails to Trails program may have done more harm than good as far as building a public transportation network goes. I know I'd use trains because A) they're awesome and B) I'd get to look at the scenery instead of having to pay attention to the road.

[conuly]

I know I'd use trains because A) they're awesome and B) I'd get to look at the scenery instead of having to pay attention to the road.

Or read a book. Or study. Or sleep. Or play a game of cards with your friends. Or flirt.

Why people bitch and moan about public transportation taking longer, I don't know - even if it does take longer, at least you're not wasting that time!

[beezelbubbles.livejournal.com]

We'd need a stop in the Valley (Ideally McAllen, but probably in Harlingen) for that. I'm so sick of doing the drive up to San Antonio, and I don't like the buses.

[sayga.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if I could take a train with the family to california instead of making the drive, i would. cause even if there were carseat laws on new trains (there aren't on old ones, at least not the ones I've been on), I could at least sit by the kids and keep them happy. I'd totally take a train!

[peebs1701.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of trains, I'm just not convinced Americans as a whole will get over the whole "time" factor. It took my step-father-in-law a day and a half to get to San Francisco from Kansas via Amtrak. The same thing on a plane would have taken six hours including security.

[conuly]

Can't we build them faster? I've heard trains in other places, like Japan, are superdooperreallyfast, so why can't we do the same? I mean, we'd be virtually starting again from scratch here....

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

Man 1: Hands up, this is a hijacking! We're taking this train to Chicago!
Man 2: ...but the track only goes to Tampa...
Man 1: ...aw sh*t!

[leora.livejournal.com]

I thought that was the whole point of investing in infrastructure for high-speed rail. Most US trains are impractical because they are just too slow. But high speed rail would make that less of an issue (for some trips a plane would probably still be more practical, but it'd make for a longer distance of travel that is more practical by train).

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

Trains! Yes, please! My favorite mode of travel!

Are trains ever going to be very fast from Kansas to California? Prolly not, cos this is a frikkin huge country.

But I guarantee that if they built just a decent train system from San Antonio to Austin to Houston, I would NEVER drive between those cities again.

Ironically, what's held the high speed trains back in Texas is not the oil companies, but Southwest Airlines.

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

I feel like trains are only less of a security hassle than planes only because they're less popular. If, for some reason, trains became the preferred method of long-distance transportation, more attacks would happen at train stations, etc., and security would be tightened.

[conuly]

Trains! Yes, please! My favorite mode of travel!

And wouldn't Sam look adorable in striped overalls and a conductor's hat?

[conuly]

Yeah, but there's only so much you can *do* with a train.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

Difficult to crash a train in to the upper stories of a skyscraper.

[ksol1460.livejournal.com]

I knew the minute he chose Biden we were in for an Amtrak presidency. Which is, IMNSHO, exactly what this country needs.

Since September 11, we refuse to fly unless absolutely necessary (not for fear of terrorists, but of security!), and do all our long distance travelling on Caltrain and Amtrak. Before that, we went by train out of sheer love for the rails.

As far as security, they used to try to make a big deal out of it at the border. Dark-skinned passengers with names like Ali or Sabeen were in for a long hassle, even if they were clearly grandparents with picnic baskets headed for Chicago to visit family.

[(Anonymous)]

Make them /electric/ trains!

[jedirita.livejournal.com]

I am DYING to have him ride on a real, live train. He simply adores the kiddie train at the zoo.

[conuly]

If you bring him up to NYC, be sure to drop by the transit museum, then.

[emerlee.livejournal.com]

That's a great idea, and actually something that my mom has been saying for years. She thinks the Rails to Trails program may have done more harm than good as far as building a public transportation network goes. I know I'd use trains because A) they're awesome and B) I'd get to look at the scenery instead of having to pay attention to the road.

[conuly]

I know I'd use trains because A) they're awesome and B) I'd get to look at the scenery instead of having to pay attention to the road.

Or read a book. Or study. Or sleep. Or play a game of cards with your friends. Or flirt.

Why people bitch and moan about public transportation taking longer, I don't know - even if it does take longer, at least you're not wasting that time!

[beezelbubbles.livejournal.com]

We'd need a stop in the Valley (Ideally McAllen, but probably in Harlingen) for that. I'm so sick of doing the drive up to San Antonio, and I don't like the buses.

[sayga.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if I could take a train with the family to california instead of making the drive, i would. cause even if there were carseat laws on new trains (there aren't on old ones, at least not the ones I've been on), I could at least sit by the kids and keep them happy. I'd totally take a train!