Obama administration cuts 90 minutes off Amtrak trip from Chicago to St Louis

[^_^ 5,021]

Last Friday morning in Joliet, Illinois, I did what a lot more Illinoisans and Missourians have been doing lately--I boarded an Amtrak train. Friday's ride, however, was special because somewhere between Joliet and Normal, after decades of passenger trains on this route topping out at 79 miles per hour, our train hit a speed of 111.

That new high speed is an impressive 39 percent faster than the one passengers have been living with for years. So Friday was an exciting day for us, and as passengers in the coming weeks experience speeds of 110 MPH between Dwight and Pontiac, Illinois, it’s proof that 21st century rail is indeed coming to America.

...

In the next three years, 75 percent of the Chicago-St. Louis route will enjoy the new high-speed service. That means a new normal in Midwest passenger rail travel that trims 90 minutes from the current trip between Chicago and St. Louis thanks to this Administration's historic investments in American rail.

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2012/10/illinois-rail-goes-high-speed.html

[Obama 2012 1,714]

111mph? That's it? That's effing slow!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

110mph (~175kmh) counts as high speed?

Even the rail from Moscow to St. Petersburg at 250kmh (>150mph) exceeds that. Under 200kmh is not high speed.

[natty bumppo 297]

111mph? That's it? That's effing slow!

must be using "S" rated tires ....

[Karee 4,191]

110mph (~175kmh) counts as high speed?

Even the rail from Moscow to St. Petersburg at 250kmh (>150mph) exceeds that. Under 200kmh is not high speed.

The difference between Eastern and Western Europe is pretty interesting.

[JohnR! 5,495]

111mph? That's it? That's effing slow!

To be sure, for European and Japanese standards that is slow... but mind you, there are those who still oppose high speed rail in America... Go figure...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It is amusing.

If Obama were smart a few years ago, he would have criticized the bailout of the Auto industry by W and not continued that policy, and chosen to invest in new high speed rail lines instead.

For all the griping that people do about infrastructure, you'd think someon would have had the balls to speak up on that one...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The difference between Eastern and Western Europe is pretty interesting.

Take a look at Turkey - that's interesting.

[JohnR! 5,495]

It is amusing.

If Obama were smart a few years ago, he would have criticized the bailout of the Auto industry by W and not continued that policy, and chosen to invest in new high speed rail lines instead.

For all the griping that people do about infrastructure, you'd think someon would have had the balls to speak up on that one...

Isn't that what the article and this thread is about?

JOLIET, Ill. — In a modest milestone for President Barack Obama’s high-speed rail vision, test runs started zooming along a small section of the Amtrak line between Chicago and St. Louis at 111 mph Friday.

The 30-mph increase from the route’s current top speed is a morale booster for advocates of high-speed rail in America who have watched conservatives in Congress put the brakes on spending for fast train projects they view as expensive boondoggles. But some rail experts question whether the route will become profitable, pose serious competition to air and automobile travel, or ever reach speeds comparable to the bullet trains blasting across Europe and Asia at 150 mph and faster.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn were aboard when an Amtrak train hit 111 mph for the first time in Illinois.

“Four years ago we were nowhere,” LaHood said after the train reached the landmark speed. “Illinois and the country was a wasteland when it came to high speed rail… This is a dream come true today.”

It maintained the high speeds for about 5 minutes along a 15-miles stretch of track between Dwight and Pontiac before braking back to more normal speeds.

“The important thing is it’s a step in the right direction, but the question becomes what do we gain by doing this?” said David Burns, a rail consultant in suburban Chicago who drew up one of the first studies for high-speed service on the route more than three decades ago.

[^_^ 5,021]

Some years ago, high speed rail was commie and unamerican here on VJ.

Today, here on VJ, it is none of that.. it is simply too damn slow.

No wonder Presidents age so fast.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1350920735' post='5771890]Some years ago, high speed rail was commie and unamerican here on VJ.

Today, here on VJ, it is none of that.. it is simply too damn slow.

No wonder Presidents age so fast.

[JohnR! 5,495]

[quote name=' timestamp='1350920735' post='5771890]

Some years ago, high speed rail was commie and unamerican here on VJ.

Today, here on VJ, it is none of that.. it is simply too damn slow.

Do you see a pattern? (pun intended)...

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

[quote name=' timestamp='1350919706' post='5771844]

Last Friday morning in Joliet, Illinois, I did what a lot more Illinoisans and Missourians have been doing lately--I boarded an Amtrak train. Friday's ride, however, was special because somewhere between Joliet and Normal, after decades of passenger trains on this route topping out at 79 miles per hour, our train hit a speed of 111.

That new high speed is an impressive 39 percent faster than the one passengers have been living with for years. So Friday was an exciting day for us, and as passengers in the coming weeks experience speeds of 110 MPH between Dwight and Pontiac, Illinois, it's proof that 21st century rail is indeed coming to America.

...

In the next three years, 75 percent of the Chicago-St. Louis route will enjoy the new high-speed service. That means a new normal in Midwest passenger rail travel that trims 90 minutes from the current trip between Chicago and St. Louis thanks to this Administration's historic investments in American rail.

http://fastlane.dot....high-speed.html

This project was actually funded initially under the Bush Administration although it was continued under Obama, much like the Tax cuts the libs moan about.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Isn't that what the article and this thread is about?

Not exactly. I'm sure some of the money came from alleged 'stimulus' funds (but you'd have to find where it wasn't funded prior), but Obama has talked about investing 2.5 billion as part of a budget proposal, but a budget hasn't been passed in years now, so it's kind of hard to give Obama any credit here for it.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

California is investing $100+ billion dollars for a high speed rail from Frisco to LA. They still have no idea how they will pay for it...but it's needed right? I mean isn't that what it's all about. Screwing the next 5+ generations on an overpriced project.