Does the USA need a better more complete railroad system?
by 
Stronghart
ANSWERS: 11
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Yes. It is unfortunate that the oil and auto lobby have nearly made the railroads obsolete.
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Yes. Air travel has become a pain, railroads would take hundreds of thousands of automobiles off the roads, and they are far more comfortable than airplanes. (And as long as we don't let the airlines run the railroads, rail travel will continue to be comfortable, clean and fast.) However, the trackage has to be improved to allow faster speeds, and scheduling has to be expanded.
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Most railroads are at maximum capacity on their tracks. Only now are they starting to add capacity. Wall Street did not look at railroads as a good investment, because they were so capital intensive. But railroads now are able to charge higher rates. Railroads are able to borrow money to increase capacity and the building of more rail lines. In addition funds are coming in the form of public-private partnerships.
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No question about it. Railroads spent most of the post WWII years deferring maintainence and ripping up track. Our freight system is near capacity and our passenger system is completely inadequate.
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I think so around here anyway
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Yes. I totally agree that we are inadequate and really need to boost our train network. Oldest form of mechanized transport but still one of the most important. see my question about planes versus trains. http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/269927
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As air and car travel become more and more cumbersome, we will definitely need to develop a more efficient passenger railroad system. In Germany they are currently testing trains that have weight-shifting technology. This allows trains to go faster on existing tracks. This will be the best approach initially since laying new track between locations is a political/logistical nightmare. Usually when new track is installed, it is right next to an existing track where the railroad already has property rights. There is often talk of developing high speed rail networks but studies have shown that these are only effective for distances of less than 500 miles. Beyond that, they are a losing proposition. However, I think if better methods were used, that may not be the case. The main issue with rail travel is that you don't have transportation once you reach your destination. I think high speed trains should work like water ferries. You drive your car up on a flat platform, and then head to the passenger car for a drink. Then you drive off in your vehicle when you get to where you're going.
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No! We need higher gas prices and more muscle cars. This is America, we will consume. We also need to limit how far people can travel because of Homeland Security. Can you imagine what would happen if the terrorists attacked us again? No railroads!!! No air travel!!! You stay in your city, I stay in mine. Nice, comfortable, safe. Your comrade- Garbagebag
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More Railroads, Please sir.
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I have flown many times in the last five years and it is becoming more and more of a hassle every day with the security b.s, reduced routes, layovers and outrageous fares. To take the train to the same place costs me from a half to a third of the air fare. No baggage inspections, no taking your shoes off, no metal detectors. My trip takes fifteen hours compared to four to six and a half by air, with connections and layovers counted. But I can get up, walk around the length of the train. Go to the dining car get a sandwich, coffee, beer or whatever. Prices aren't as bad as Yankee Stadium, either. You get out west and the speed is usually 90 mph or better and most road beds are in pretty good shape. Not anywhere as scary as going through a storm front at 35,000 ft. And best of all: the train never leaves the ground (well, almost). Pelagic
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we're gonna need mass transport to facilitate our shift to a service-based economy, which is the ONLY thing that will save us from technology destroying so many viable jobs in the U.S. other industrialized nations have converted to this solution: we have to do away with the idea of a McJob and accept that transportation and restaurant and hotel jobs are going to have to have CAREER wages, or there will continue to be fewer viable jobs in the U.S. than there are people needing jobs.
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