Grand Rapids-Detroit high speed hydrogen rail?

[Terry Shea]

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/07/highspeed_hydrogen_rail_from_g.html
I can't see this ever working.  I especially can't believe it would only cost $2 to ride it from Grand Rapids to Detroit if it were actually built.

[Chris]

I bet that idea will be much more expensive than advertised... It's a completely new technology, I don't see them building a 140 mile sci-fi railroad for only 2 billion dollars. Also, is the Grand Rapids - Detroit traffic so significant that it requires something like this? If this should be build, it'll be more logical to run in between two major cities with a lot of traffic, like Chicago - Detroit, or Washington - New York.

[Terry Shea]

In a related matter, Gov Granholm is seeking federa stimulus money for a high speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090825/POLITICS02/908250364/1409/METRO/Michigan-bids-for-federal-high-speed-rail-funds

I found this tidbit interesting:

"Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly said the city has the infrastructure, with raised tracks at main intersections for the 110 mph rail service. At that speed, travel time from Detroit to Chicago could be reduced from six hours to four."

How many stops does it make?  You can make the drive in slightly over 4 hours.

[Chris]

110 mph is far from high speed rail... I'd say it starts around 150 - 200 mph. European HSR usually travel at such speeds.

[mightyace]

110 mph is far from high speed rail... I'd say it starts around 150 - 200 mph. European HSR usually travel at such speeds.

True.  However, most of the track in the U.S. is rated at 79 mph max for passenger trains.  So, a 110 mph limit is still a marked improvement in travel time and can be done for much less money than true HSR as it is usually an upgrading of existing dual-purpose track.

Or, it's better than leaving it as it is.

[agentsteel53]

79, eh?  that makes intuitive sense.  the Coaster (a San Diego north-south commuter line) parallels I-5 and when we pass cars on the freeway, I've estimated the Coaster's speed to be 80mph. 

[Terry Shea]

110 mph is far from high speed rail... I'd say it starts around 150 - 200 mph. European HSR usually travel at such speeds.

Ha!  10 MPH would be considered high speed around here.