Maglev train gets a boost from Congress

Article Last Updated: 11/14/2005 10:30 PM

Maglev train gets a boost from Congress

By Chuck Mueller, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

VICTORVILLE - With high gasoline prices forcing Inland Empire commuters to reshuffle their budgets, many are expected to welcome the concept of a super speed train propelled by electromagnets., Congress has authorized spending $45 million for maglev in the current federal transportation bill, said Bruce Aguilera, chairman of a bi-state commission overseeing the $12 billion project. Visionaries say the proposed maglev train eventually may whisk passengers the 269 miles between Anaheim and Las Vegas in 86 minutes.

Under the maglev system, short for magnetic levitation, trains propelled by electromagnets would zip along elevated guideways instead of rails, reaching speeds up to 300 mph.

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Some of the appropriation is likely to go for an environmental impact statement, while other portions will launch maglev operations along the first 40 miles of the route, from Las Vegas to Primm, at the California state line.

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The system is already used on a limited basis in trains in China and Germany. "It's the technology of the century, 100 percent proven," Rothschild said.

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http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3215792

I guess it would have a lot of expense on the front end, but it might make that back in short order. Hmm...

that cannot be outsourced.

Real blue collar jobs that are almost extinct in this country, jobs that actually build something, not part of the service economy.

but so what. The taxpayers have given billions upon billions for airports. Why would this be any different? My main concern would be getting people to use it, for that to happen you might need some patience and perserverence.

us to be able to have a train that goes FASTER than a jet for less energy and fuel.

Up at 35,000 feet one does not feel your going 500 mph, and it does not look like your going 500 mph. But on the ground! You would KNOW you were going that fast. I might lose my nerve! I did go on some high-speed rail trains in Europe, they were awesome! Comfortable, smooth ride, and you get to see the countryside.

...I believe are considering a high-speed train/subway tunnel system through the Alps to Italy in a near-total vacuum, which translates into little air friction and higher-speeds.

One train ride I was able to take in Europe was standard-speed train from Venice to Vienna by going through the Alps. It was a absolutely beautiful and scenic ride. It seems kind of bummer to stuck in a tunnel when you could see the Alps with your own eyes.

If they haven't already made it.

Ironically, it's not a hard thing to take care of at all. It is a simple concept.

As for going faster than the present maglev trains it actually would involve a tunnel with a 'vaccuum' in it. To allow it to not have atmospheric resistance. Once the maglev rails are already built it would be quite possible for the maglet system trains to not only surpass 500 miles per hour, but according to the design specs it would approach 1400 miles an hour, faster than the speed of sound.

that use the regular railways, but that do travel at high speed -100 mph?

Even this would be great, once they get them to be reliable and cover coast to coast as well as connection to all major airports.

During the 90s Los Angeles built a whole network of subway and light rail lines, one of them stops just a couple of miles short of LAX. Supposedly it was aimed at many of the aerospace workers that used to live at that neighborhood. Now the aerospace industry is gone but getting to LAX is still a hassle. And expensive.

Even the AirTrain to JFK and the Blue Line to O'Hare involve using the subway with no escalators which make traveling with luggage a real hassle.

In the 19th Century we embarked on building rail lines that criss cross the country. Then in the mid 20th we built the expressways. And since then we have been dismantling the rail lines.

Wouldn't it be nice to start a new project for high speed or maglev lines that would free us from over relying on cars?

With enough power the Military has already stated that it would allow them to make an artiary weapon that could hit anywhere on the planet. Supposedly this is one of the weapons Saddam was developing during the Clinton Era that got bombed or something along those lines. In the 80s the US turned down the tech calling it unfeasable, it then bounced to Canada who spent a fair amount in developement before they were pressured by the US to abandon the Tech where he then moved to Europe before being assasinated, according to the rumor, by the US.

I would love to be able to travel by train instead of air.