Why you should care about Argentina’s new high-speed train
In fiction, trains are by far the best way to travel. From the Hogwarts Express to the Polar Express, trains have a magical, pastoral quality not even attained by the Magic School Bus. And planes? Well, all they get is a crappy Samuel L. Jackson movie.
And yet, trains get the short end of the stick when it comes to the way real people travel, at least in America. They’re convenient for intra-city transportation, but Americans usually travel long distances by car or plane.
But Argentina’s recent announcement of plans to construct a high-speed train connecting Buenos Aires and Cordoba may have implications that carry to the United States. The new rail line would reduce the travel time of the 441-mile journey from 14 hours to three. On top of that, Argentinian President Cristina Kirchner envisions building a railway that would cross Argentina and Chile, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America.
The ambitious plan would be the first high-speed rail system in the Americas, finally bringing us the technology that’s succeeded in Europe and Asia. Japan and France have the two most extensive networks. Railways connect all of their major cities and are popular. Both countries also hold records for the fastest train, France for its 351 mph rail-based V150 and Japan for the electromagnetic Maglev that traveled a mind-blowing 361 mph.
Trains are popular abroad because they are cheap, eco-friendly and fast. In terms of convenience they kick air travel’s ass, as explained by this author’s adorably British column in The Guardian. On top of that, you’re not in an airport (a place that anyone will admit is hell on earth), and there’s almost never weather delays.
However, one of the biggest draws of rail travel is its light environmental impact. Planes and cars are notoriously atrocious for Mother Earth because of their pollution-causing emissions. One of the worst examples of emissions abuse came from an American Airlines flight last month that took five passengers from Chicago to London. Yes, five. Though that was probably the most luxurious flight any of them will take, it was also the most wasteful anyone could take. The estimates work out to 43 tons of carbon dioxide per passenger, or the equivalent of driving a car around the world five times.
Modern trains have a much smaller carbon footprint. With the eco-craze overtaking America, it only makes sense that we’d soon be building some trains of our own, right?
But trains just haven’t taken off in the U.S. The current train system, Amtrak, is a joke on wheels (or rails, as it were). The system rarely posts a profit, and has closed lines and cut jobs in recent years. From personal experience, the only types of people who ride Amtrak are people who like to sleep, farmers who like to tell you about farming and Amish families who glare at people using laptops.
Meanwhile, plans for high-speed rail systems in California have met a lukewarm response. The proposed California High Speed Rail would initially connect San Francisco and Sacramento, eventually reaching Los Angeles and San Diego. However, the plans have stalled in the legislature because of funding issues. The same goes for the proposed Desert Xpress, which would link California to Las Vegas.
Still, a successful train project in Argentina could convince U.S. lawmakers that a high-speed train could work here. It might not be long before we’re driving another golden spike to commemorate a new railroad, and a cheaper, cleaner and easier form of travel.
If you're feeling apathetic, listen to the mews. Or you can return home.
“From personal experience, the only types of people who ride Amtrak are people who like to sleep, farmers who like to tell you about farming and Amish families who glare at people using laptops”.
That’s a silly comment. All kinds of people ride the Northeast Corridor.
Chris
March 9, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I agree with Chris, sounds like “Jason Plautz” doesn’t get out of Ohio very often….too bad his valiant attempt at trying to educate Americans on an issue that is imperative to our country’s economy was dumbed down just like most forms of media in the U.S. This “it’s cool to be dumb” sh*t in the U.S. needs to stop. It pisses me off. We are so lucky to inherit such a wonderful country, the least we could do is try not to destroy its intellectual and cultural integrity….thanks again Jason, you friggin hick! Next time inject some real intelligence into your articles and stop contributing to the idiocity that plagues our nation and keeps us from creating valuable economic resources like high speed rail networks.
a-hole northeasterner
March 18, 2008 at 11:30 am
“The new rail line would reduce the travel time of the 441-mile journey from 14 hours to three.”
Show me a 441 mile stretch between two fairly major cities in the continental US that takes 14 hours to drive and I will write to my congressman immediately.
Adam
March 24, 2008 at 5:53 am
Your personal experience needs some drastic expansion. All types of people ride Amtrak from U.S. Senators, to corporate executives, to families, to everyday people. Do some more research before you make a statement like that.
j
April 16, 2008 at 4:50 pm
They have been talking about a high speed train between LA and Las vegas for years. Personally I think it’d be great. There was even talk of a couple freight cars attached so you could bring your own car with you. Too bad nothing ever came of it.
Jacqui
April 18, 2008 at 6:48 pm
amtrak is dirty and it sucks.. we aint talkin jersey-NY here we are talking USA.. AMTRAK SUCKS. HAS ANYONE BEEN TO EUROPE? TGV/AVE goes 500+ km/hr
amtrak goes as fast as a loaded pace bus that smells like enchiladas.
amtrak blows
Joe
April 24, 2008 at 9:00 pm