Riding the rails in Japan, China

Are Japanese bullet trains coming to the US? This is a question I've seen being asked more than once in the media this week.

Now, to be fair, I may have started this buzz by riding a couple of Japan's lightning fast trains while visiting that country earlier in the week. And I have to say, those trains are fast. Very fast.

I'm also looking forward to riding to the Shanghai airport later today on China's maglev train.

My short answer to the question? No, Japanese and Chinese trains are not coming to the US.

BUT, Japanese and Chinese high-speed rail technology and expertise may be on its way. And, when an American high-speed rail system is up and running--thanks to President Obama's initial $8 billion down-payment and future rail grants authorized by Congress--those familiar with Japan's Shinkansen or Spain's AVE or Germany's ICE or Russia's Sapsan may find similar designs and components.

I think that makes sense. After all, rail companies in Asia and Europe have high-speed experience that American rail companies just haven't had yet. Do I look forward to the day when American companies have that experience? You bet.

In the meantime, if we do end up benefiting from foreign expertise, whether it's Japanese or Chinese or Canadian or European, another thing you can bet on is those trains and their components will be made by skilled American workers.

How do I know this? Because last December we received assurances from over 30 companies in the rail business that high-speed rail will contribute to US rail manufacturing should they be awarded contracts.

The Japanese media sure was interested in what I thought of my high speed train ride

Sure, those of us who saw the Japanese trains are impressed with the railroad system in Japan. And we do look forward to opportunities to partner in America with experienced rail companies from abroad. But we're only interested in partnerships that use American workers in American facilities.

I have now ridden several of the world's fastest trains, and I have seen how effectively they deliver passengers from city to city. And I am looking forward to the day when we secure those partnerships and create those jobs and revitalize an American rail manufacturing industry. And build those trains.

Comments

[oinonio]

I rode the Shanghai airport maglev and, truth be told, it made me a wee bit nauseous, which never happens to me on any train (including other chinese HSR or the Japanese shinkansen). I'm curious if you experience the same, in shanghai and on the test train in Japan. I'd prefer it to be my reaction due to jetlag, and not something inherent to maglev technology.

[Rdegray]

It is stated that High Speed rail will cost tens of billions of dollars in the U.S. and take years. How much does or did it cost in Japan and how long did it take?

[Froggie]

Doesn't do us any good if we don't find dedicated funding to at least START a corridor that has a good chance of success (i.e. upgrading the NEC).

[Roger A. Shope]

Workers in Ohio's devastated manufacturing sector certainly are looking forward to working again. Ohio's colleges and universities will become even stronger when connected to the "3C Quick Start" and future intercity lines!
Smaller communities like mine will benefit from having increased transportation choices that reduce our dependence on ever increasing automotive costs.

[Tom Worker-Braddock]

This is only one example of how, if we're not careful, we'll be supplementing dependence on foreign oil with dependence on foreign expertise/technology in green technology products such as high speed rail (Asia, Europe), electric car batteries (China), etc, as well as other green technology such as solar and wind (both China). It's important to import that technological research & development, along with the direct manufacturing jobs.

[Michael E. Bailey]

The high speed train system is something that we need. Here in California it will be a great option for people going from Anaheim in the South to Sacramento and San Fransisco in Central California. Many people who fly now would switch to the high speed train if one was available. The California High Speed Rail Authority has appointed its new CEO who is an expert on high speed rail operations and building the train lines. This is another major step forward in making high speed rail in California a reality. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Julian]

History shows us that investing in infrastructure is a good, solid long-term investment. Just like railways, highways and airplanes having high-speed trains will improve our economy - something everyone wants right now in the US.

If I can live in Austin, TX and travel via high speed train to Houston, Dallas even New Orleans for a business meeting and get back in a day - that extends commerce for everyone. Even people looking for jobs in those cities!

[Donald LeMore]

I think it's a very good idea(because of its expense) to start with a short leg of a maglev system in America's biggest cities and continue throughout the years until the entire system has matured. I have always been against Amtrak's slow trains and the number of accidents caused by ground level transportation at RR crossings through- out America. My only wish, would be for this country to find a way to divorce itself from raising taxes of the middle class or adding fees to everything one buys in order to pay for such large scale projects.......Now that the railroads have found a way to increase its revenues through dropping passenger service, using taxpayers money to build its RR bridges and past mergers along with increased business with China and the coal companies, why not require them to foot the bill. Maybe one could start by having a wom-pom meeting with Mr. Buffet and his money making railroad, The Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

[iraqi dinar]

I rode the Shanghai airport maglev and, truth be told, it made me a wee bit nauseous, which never happens to me on any train (including other chinese HSR or the Japanese shinkansen). I'm curious if you experience the same, in shanghai and on the test train in Japan. I'd prefer it to be my reaction due to jetlag, and not something inherent to maglev technology.
Dinar Iraqi

[poor credit loans]

I heard that this Maglev vehicle can attain a maximum speed of 530 km/h. This is just fantastic, half lees then a plain.

[Boiler]

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[Zetaclear]

In the meantime, if we do end up benefiting from foreign expertise, whether it's Japanese or Chinese or Canadian or European, another thing you can bet on is those trains and their components will be made by skilled American workers.
Zetaclear

[Blog Japon]

Maglev has been tested recently between Tokyo and Kyoto. I hope it will be a reality a the next years!

[Ethouris]

If you need American-based design, you should take a look at Inductrack. Concerning the energy efficiency and costs of building and maintenance it looks better than Chuo Shinkansen and Transrapid.

[how to get muscles fast]

What's interesting that test trains with magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology, were able to reach whopping 550km/h and operating speed will be around 500km/h. It's unbelievable!

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In the meantime, if we do end up benefiting from foreign expertise, whether it's Japanese or Chinese or Canadian or European, another thing you can bet on is those trains and their components will be made by skilled American workers.

[payday loans]

You only have to look at the ridiculous railway system we have in the UK to show what can happen if you don't look to the future.

[Benjamin]

When the high speed rail opens between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, I may have a viable alternative to driving between the cities which I currently do every two weeks.