Japan offers to build a maglev train linking Washington to Baltimore for FREE!

[mota bhai 2,675]

Mr. Pataki and other former American politicians were in Japan Saturday for a special test ride of the train, which uses a technology called magnetic levitation, or maglev. They are trying to bring a maglev train to the crowded Northeast Corridor that will cruise between New York and Washington at more than twice the 150-mile-an-hour top speed of Amtrak’s Acela, the fastest train in the United States.

Maglev trains could make the journey in an hour, compared with just under three hours, on a good day, for Acela.

...

Japan’s maglev could easily become Mr. Abe’s boondoggle unless Japan can export it. Even in Japan, the maglev faces considerable skepticism. One reason is the cost, which is as breathtaking as the speed: the estimated budget for the Tokyo-Osaka line has risen to nearly $100 billion.

...

To stake its claim to leadership in a new generation of faster technology, Japan plans to begin construction of its first intercity maglev line next year, linking Tokyo with Nagoya and, eventually, Osaka. In tests, the Japanese maglev has reached speeds up to 580 kilometers an hour, or 360 m.p.h., the world record for a train.

In a meeting with President Obama last winter, Mr. Abe offered to provide the maglev guideway and propulsion system free for the first portion of the line, linking Washington and Baltimore via Baltimore-Washington International Airport, a distance of about 40 miles.

Analysts say Japan has had trouble exporting the technology. It figures if the United States takes it, others will follow.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/19/business/international/japan-pitches-americans-on-its-maglev-train.html

[GandD 5,966]

Nice post. I like trains. Anything that keeps me off an airplane. Sick of them.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Free huh.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Free huh.

If you read the original article at the link, they want a showcase project in the US. They are confident once everyone sees how magnificent it is (so they say), everyone will want more.

[GandD 5,966]

Because businesses never give away free stuff to get future sales revenue.

If you read the original article at the link, they want a showcase project in the US. They are confident once everyone sees how magnificent it is (so they say), everyone will want more.

And they were only going to pay for the first 40 miles to Baltimore where the entire project would eventually lead the tack to new york.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Because businesses never give away free stuff to get future sales revenue.

A few years ago, I was arguing with someone else on VJ about businesses borrowing money to invest in themselves. I said it happened, the other guy said it shouldn't. It was surreal.

And they were only going to pay for the first 40 miles to Baltimore where the entire project would eventually lead the tack to new york.

If I was the decider, I'd have them go ahead and do it if they threw in support and maintenance for the first 20 years.

[GandD 5,966]

Word. Borrowing money is what made the west what it is. It allows greater scale projects and makes money for far more people. The key is well researched and thought out business plans. If a project is handled well, there are specific targets on what gets paid back when.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Japan seems to understand there is a sucker born every minute.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Free huh.

Yep, nothing free, there's always a few strings attached.

An example... A couple of years ago, Costa Rica got a great free gift from China, a brand new national soccer stadium. The Chinese brought 600 of their own construction workers/engineers to work around the clock 3 shifts of 8 hours and got the thing build in under a year. It was supposed to be free.

Now, China gets free imports into Costa Rica, a country with very high import tariffs. Costa Rica also just build Chinatown in a section of the capital city of San Jose. All over the capital, there are dozens of new Chinese-owned businesses opening up. Costa Rica is now China's b*tch. The locals are now sarcastically calling their country "Costa China" I got this from my in-laws.

Do you think they still believe it was free?

Edited November 25, 2013 by Eric-Pris

[mota bhai 2,675]

Yep, nothing free, there's always a few strings attached.

An example... A couple of years ago, Costa Rica got a great free gift from China, a brand new national soccer stadium. The Chinese brought 600 of their own construction workers/engineers to work around the clock 3 shifts of 8 hours and got the thing build in under a year. It was supposed to be free.

Now, China gets free imports into Costa Rica, a country with very high import tariffs. Costa Rica also just build Chinatown in a section of the capital city of San Jose. All over the capital, there are dozens of new Chinese-owned businesses opening up. Costa Rica is now China's b*tch. The locals are now sarcastically calling their country "Costa China" I got this from my in-laws.

Do you think they still believe it was free?

CR is China's bit*h because they have a trade deal and lots of Chinese people own businesses there?

(No.)

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

CR is China's bit*h because they have a trade deal and lots of Chinese people own businesses there?

(No.)

Trade deal? LOL Deal usually involves both parties to want it and benefit from it. China definitely benefits, but CR gets lots of cheap ####### brought in from China which takes away local manufacturing jobs and affects the welfare of its citizens.

China built them a stadium so they could force their way into a fairly undiscovered market which was closed off to foreigners for the most part due to high import tariffs. And they made them build them a Chinatown so their people can feel more at home.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Do you think they still believe it was free?

Japan is not China. the US is not CR... A 40 mile track featuring the worlds most advanced train to get their foot in the door.. me likey!

The CA tunnel train that travels in a vacuum seems a better idea but hey, not happening, lets take the freebie.

[Darnell 8,479]

If you read the original article at the link, they want a showcase project in the US. They are confident once everyone sees how magnificent it is (so they say), everyone will want more.

South America or Africa seems a better bet, for the Japanese, at this point, though..

[Dan from MI 23]

South America or Africa seems a better bet, for the Japanese, at this point, though..

I was just thinking about that. It would really add a lot to Brazil to have fast trains around São Paulo.

However I think Japan was think more of "high profile" projects. What is not any more high profile than USA captial. Ok some places in Europe but they already have fast trains. USA really do not have any high speed trains so that will get more attention. Crazy move for Japan but if it work, it will pay off nicely.

I have an feeling, the auto industries and the US-base airlines will lobby against the offer in... oh the irony- Washington DC.

I say ok to something like this if they will support it for X amount of years.

[Karee 4,191]

I have an feeling, the auto industries and the US-base airlines will lobby against the offer in... oh the irony- Washington DC.

Years ago there was a plan to build TGV type trains here in Texas between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. 3 of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. Southwest Airlines and their bought and paid for allies in the Texas state house made sure it never happened.

My father told me a story about how the auto companies in Detroit killed the street cars there back in the 50s and 60s.

It seems sometimes what's important to making people's lives easier, takes a backseat to corporate profits and politician's bank accounts.