Hopefully there are plenty of failsafes and redundancies built into the system to keep those who can't switch their socks
from plowing into someone else because the instrument panel clearly stated nothing was ahead...
I just saw another YouTube video on a big coal or other mining material train seeming to come down a long slope, and going through a moderate switchback and seemingly going slower coming out. Like they built the wiggle in there to scrub off speed, like a truck runoff ramp precaution.
I haven't taken a train in many years, but have always enjoyed the ride.
I saw the train video while Googling US high speed train. Now half the first world has high speed trains, but we sure don't. Just a lot of political
promises made years ago. I think our problem with trains mirrors the state of our road repair, and our attitude toward it.
In Europe, they build the road substructure much further down, so it is both stronger and better designed even if that design adds cost.
And they enjoy the Autobahn experience, while we dodge potholes because we never put down more than the cheapest layer of topcoat we can.
But if the lower structure isn't sound, neither car nor train will enjoy it. The cost of making a roadbed to high speed specs is apparently so high we just can't get this done. Really?
I'd be all for putting all able bodied folk on public welfare after some point to help rebuild our infrastructure before more bridges collapse under us. Now that sounds harsh, but could I get a little more value back for my tax dollar? Some investment in our future?
Certainly good skills to be learned, construction isn't going to be down forever.
Though I realize modern track install and repair is done by amazing automated machines that are pretty cool to watch. Guy driving that thing is a seriously skilled operator. Maybe we don't have ditches to be dug anymore...
Now if we could get more of those folk off our support and onto self support, that's both a good business and social accomplishment.
Unemployment is coming down, a little, but maybe some of our "hard core unemployed" are capable of giving back and helping to lay some rail that can support a train going over 100mph. Well over.
If this were the space race, we'd still be flying our planes with rubber bands.
