Hmm… you mentioned just 2 unsuccessful projects in the US and in the UK and conveniently didn’t mention other successful examples in democratic countries like Japan, Italy, France and Spain. Maybe the problem is not the democracy but something else?
I do agree that we should be pragmatic and invest into conventional railways too. The good example of such compromise is, for example, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen lines, where JR East chose to convert existing narrow-gauge line into dual-gauge narrow+standard gauge to allow Shinkansen trains branch off from Tohoku Shinkansen line as well as allowing conventional trains use same tracks.
You make some fair points, Rik. My goal wasn't to write a book on all failed HSR projects, just to focus on the trouble "clean-sheet" projects face currently. Regarding the successes in France or even here in Japan, you're right. Their core networks show what's possible. Of course, there's a lot we can do to improve governance and give the state more overarching power to create similar efficiencies. But to think we can build these mega-projects now, with today's high land costs and extensive environmental survey requirements, is unrealistic. The conditions that allowed those original lines to be built have changed.
Your example of the Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen lines gets to the heart of my argument. Instead of pursuing a brand-new line for the highest possible speed, JR East made a pragmatic choice to upgrade existing track. It's a solution that's cheaper, faster to implement, and avoids many of the land and political battles that have stalled HS2. That is the kind of practical approach we should be looking at
And of course in this Japanese person’s mind everything China does involves slavery and abuse. Not hard work and ambition. Coming from a person if Japanese descent that’s rich. Never mind that she hasn’t showed any proof of forced labour and land seizure from the Chinese govt.
This is a lot of political ramblings then "We don't need speed". All governments of any kind are useless, doesn't matter what type they are. They're all parasites.
Besides that, the world demands both speed and cost efficiency. It's stupid to say the west doesn't need speedy trains.
Hmm… you mentioned just 2 unsuccessful projects in the US and in the UK and conveniently didn’t mention other successful examples in democratic countries like Japan, Italy, France and Spain. Maybe the problem is not the democracy but something else?
I do agree that we should be pragmatic and invest into conventional railways too. The good example of such compromise is, for example, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen lines, where JR East chose to convert existing narrow-gauge line into dual-gauge narrow+standard gauge to allow Shinkansen trains branch off from Tohoku Shinkansen line as well as allowing conventional trains use same tracks.
You make some fair points, Rik. My goal wasn't to write a book on all failed HSR projects, just to focus on the trouble "clean-sheet" projects face currently. Regarding the successes in France or even here in Japan, you're right. Their core networks show what's possible. Of course, there's a lot we can do to improve governance and give the state more overarching power to create similar efficiencies. But to think we can build these mega-projects now, with today's high land costs and extensive environmental survey requirements, is unrealistic. The conditions that allowed those original lines to be built have changed.
Your example of the Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen lines gets to the heart of my argument. Instead of pursuing a brand-new line for the highest possible speed, JR East made a pragmatic choice to upgrade existing track. It's a solution that's cheaper, faster to implement, and avoids many of the land and political battles that have stalled HS2. That is the kind of practical approach we should be looking at
And of course in this Japanese person’s mind everything China does involves slavery and abuse. Not hard work and ambition. Coming from a person if Japanese descent that’s rich. Never mind that she hasn’t showed any proof of forced labour and land seizure from the Chinese govt.
It's a lot quicker to just say 'the West is stupid and gay and retarded' and enough said)
This is a lot of political ramblings then "We don't need speed". All governments of any kind are useless, doesn't matter what type they are. They're all parasites.
Besides that, the world demands both speed and cost efficiency. It's stupid to say the west doesn't need speedy trains.
Give me one example of a fully private high speed rail line that built their own tracks that is successful?