High-Speed Rail Keeps Train Makers on Track

mahatmakanejeeves

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Mon Oct-26-09 11:16 AM
Original message

High-Speed Rail Keeps Train Makers on Track

High Speed Rail is a Buffer for Industrial Giants

October 21, 2009
by Paul Glader

... Russia's new trains mirror a global push in high-speed rail that spans from China to the U.S., an effort that is buffering Siemens AG, Hitachi Ltd., Bombardier Inc. and other industrial giants against the economic slump.

Global spending on trains, tracks and equipment is expected to reach €122 billion ($182 billion) this year, flat with last year, but up 18% from 2004, according to Unife, an international trade association. It projects that the figure will rise to €150 billion by 2016, propelled by stimulus projects and environmental concerns.
....

And while General Electric Co.'s rail operation primarily makes locomotives for freight trains, executives plan to sell fuel-efficient locomotives for faster passenger railroads in the U.S., Mongolia, Kazakhstan and elsewhere. GE wants to sell Amtrak more engines that go as fast as 123 mph, replacing "20-year-old locomotive clunkers," says Stephan Koller, a spokesman for GE Transportation. Trains that are even faster are further on the horizon as they would require expensive track upgrades.
....

Write to Paul Glader at pauldotgladeratwsj.com

Previously at DU:

Siemens Fills Russia’s Need for High-Speed Train

It's a win-win situation.

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FarCenter

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Mon Oct-26-09 11:30 AM
Response to Original message

1. Locomotives that go 123 mph are useless for Amtrak

So long as the passenger trains have to follow freights going 45 mph.

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YOY

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Mon Oct-26-09 11:35 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Acela and HSR use their own tracks.

Getting those tracks are the problem.

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FarCenter

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Mon Oct-26-09 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #2

4. The only high speed rail is in the Northeast Corridor

South of DC, things deteriorate badly. In Virginia and North Carolina Amtrak runs on a single track Norfolk Southern-owned roadbed. It appears the freights have priority over the passenger trains. At least, Amtrak trains are subject to the same speed limits as the Norfolk Southern freights, as set by NS train managers.

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YOY

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Mon Oct-26-09 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. Actually Amtrak is supposed to have the right of way when it's passenger vs freight.

But they don't pay the fines for not letting us have the right of way. It's fugly...once again...lack of regulation or enforcement of the rules thanks to a certain party (and Democrats really haven't fought back too hard.)

Union Pacific has a train named after Poppy Bush. Shows who the freight industry pulls for. They don't give a shit where it's made...they'll pull it anywhere.

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Ichingcarpenter

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Mon Oct-26-09 12:25 PM
Response to Original message

3. GE doesn't even build or design high speed trains

They sell to third world nations like the "U.S., Mongolia, Kazakhstan and elsewhere"

123mph?.......... give me a break

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