Unlike past rail startups that have required federal funding, AmeriStarRail says its model is entirely privately funded (or will be, or can be)
"The Transcontinental Chief can be privately operated and funded, without new congressional legislation or additional federal spending."
because it would be on a route that is mostly double track, the company says the operation could begin as soon as May 10, 2026
ASR says in its letter to Harris that its “proprietary operating techniques will help prevent the chronic train delays and service disruptions of Amtrak’s previous inefficient operation of lengthy trains for mail and express services.”
ASR says in its letter to Harris that its “proprietary operating techniques will help prevent the chronic train delays and service disruptions of Amtrak’s previous inefficient operation of lengthy trains for mail and express services.”
Nothing I read said how this will be any faster than current rail, or not be delayed byt he problems that hamper the pervious ideas for fast rail... like that thing about American built engine, which there aren't any of, or the tracks we have being unable to handle the speed of a train, or the curves currently on the rails, requiring a high speed train to slow down so much that they can't accomplish a run any faster than the trains already do
And this skips Las Vegas? How does that make sense?
I think the concept is to use only double track routes and use smart scheduling to avoid delays due to higher-priority freight trains. 3000 miles in 72 hours is only 42 mpg average, of course I don't know how much time is consumed by stops.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a bullet train, just a better way to use existing equipment.
The interesting part is it's multi-modal - trucks are loaded onto it and the truckers get their mandated rest periods while en route.
you pointed out the high lights for sure... yeah, if truckers can drive on, and get a sleep cabin? They would SCORE! I suppose the train uses a lot less fuel per loaded semi, than that semi would use for the same trip... so, I wonder, how much would the trucking company save? Or, is shipping the cargo through the Panama canal cheaper? Not faster, hell no. Nothing is likely to move a semi truck trailer load faster than driving, or getting on a direct route train like this...
Deletethere are about 53 stops between LA and NYC... unless they get smart, and just cut back to the yellow dot "Key Stations", then it's 9 total, including NYC and LA.
Thanks!