Russia excited by new High Speed Rail; US system just around the bend

Last week, with US Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle, I had an opportunity to tour the new Russian High Speed Sapsan train in Moscow's Leningradsky Train Station.  Apart from the new features the system offers, I also noticed a nation excited about this new rail service.

The Sapsan (Russian for Peregrine Falcon) will begin its 250 kilometers-per-hour runs from Moscow to St. Petersburg in December. The line will feature Velaro RUS trains, developed by Siemens, much like those already operating in China and Spain but adapted to Russia's climate.

The train, much like the one I rode in Spain, is beautiful to look at, and the one I toured had a simulator so I could preview what it would be like to ride in the engineer's cab. This allows engineers to get hands-on training and see the actual countryside they'll be driving through when the line becomes operational next month.

When watching the simulated countryside roll by at high-speeds, I couldn't help thinking about the American high-speed rail system we're beginning to develop here at home.

Now, that system is going to take some time getting on-line, but I'm excited about announcing our first high-speed and intercity passenger rail grants this winter.

We are on the verge of jumpstarting high-speed opportunities in the US, and I regularly hear from folks around the country who are thrilled by this game-changing endeavor. That Russia is about to join China and Western Europe in the high-speed rail club should only motivate us even more.

Comments

[pluege]

without more Federal commitment, i.e., big bucks and unless on-going rightwing obstructionism to spending taxpayer money on anything except the military abates, true high speed rail (above 150 MPH) in the US just isn't going to happen anytime.

[Jeffrey]

It's unfortunate that the United States is falling behind yet again not only with high speed rail but with other transportation and infrastructure innovations. LaHood and the Obama Administration need to be more than just "on the verge of jumpstarting high-speed opportunities in the US" they need to be adamant and determined to support organizations like the Midwest High Speed Rail http://www.midwesthsr.org/ and to actually begin real change. Nothing would stimulate the economy more than high speed rail projects but actions speak louder than words and both are in short supply if you ask me.

[Albert]

It is amazing to me that Los Angeles still does not have anything close to a public transportation as countries in Europe have developed, being one of the top 3 cities in the world!

[Michael E. Bailey]

It is great that we will also give people the option of a less expensive high speed train from Anaheim to San Fransico that will be more fuel efficient than air travel from Orange County John Wayne Airport to San Fransico International. People should have that option. Many would use it. I think we need something like a Revenue Sharing Program for transit that would be a much more secure source of income for operations and developing projects.
California has a state law that prohibits using cell phones to talk or text message on while driving and over the holiday the California Department of Transportation was letting people know about the cell phone lawThey had meesages on the information sign boards along the freeways here telling drivers to "CLICK IT OR TICKET." Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Mark C.]

I feel we need commitment from Federal and State levels to begin development of a long overdue need. Many states are no longer waiting on the Fed to make up its mind and are beginning their own high-speed rail systems to relieve overburdened transportation infrastructure. We should be at the forefront of this transportation innovation not following behind and making mods to our current two-rail system is not the answer. When are our Nation’s leaders going to realize this is not a nice to have transportation capability but a must, as airspace becomes more and more congested reliable high-speed surface transportation is a must.

Yesterday returning from Pittsburgh to DC my normal 3 hour forty-five minute commute took 6 hours and 37 minutes. Our interstates are no longer capable of handling the demand!

[serial numbers]

Many states are no longer waiting on the Fed to make up its mind and are beginning their own high-speed rail systems to relieve overburdened transportation infrastructure. We should be at the forefront of this transportation innovation not following behind and making mods to our current two-rail system is not the answer.

[pikavippivertailu]

About time I'd say. The grants are way overdue; in some ways we're so much ahead of the rest of the world - yet in some very important aspects lag behind while tossing billions into warfare at the same time.

And by the way, the Sapsan reaches 350 km/h.

[Paul Kaye]

@ Mark C: I couldn't agree more. I know this reply is 1 year after your comment, but I had to chime in and say it's as if we've got backwards in progress. Sigh. Keep on keepin' on.

[Auto transport]

Very Interesting information on Less expensive ,high speed rails,intercity passenger rail is amazing.Though i got it late, its useful to know the updates.Thanks for this.

[Annuaire Pages Blanches]

It is amazing to me that Los Angeles still does not have anything close to a public transportation as countries in Europe have developed, being one of the top 3 cities in the world!